One of these things is not like the other.
I’ve made a resolution to make our bed everyday for the month of October. Sure, October isn’t traditionally a time for resolution-making, but with our house now needing to be ready for potential buyers to walk through at any moment I thought it couldn’t hurt to try. Plus a little extra tidiness never hurt anyone, right? Oh, except for maybe Burger who now has to revise his plans to sleep until 1pm curled up under a giant duvet wad (part of the reason we fell out of the bed-making habit in the first place). Here he is caught in the act of trying to find his way under the covers.
Feel free to join me in my new effort. Or, if you’re already a pro at this (or prefer a nap-ready bed at all times) you’re welcome to hop on my other new resolution bandwagon – drinking nothing but water all month. It’s a little thing I dubbed “Aqua-tober” back in college when I was trying to curtail my soda habit. Now six years later I still find myself needing a little Dr. Pepper detox each fall. Sigh.
UPDATE: For anyone worried about Burger, it took him a little while but he’s finally figuring out how to work around my new resolution. Notice the lump in today’s made bed?
candace @ thecandace.com says
Good resolutions – we are trying to do both (make our bed and drink more water) as well! My house has been on the market since May so we know how much work it is to keep it showing ready!
melinda says
I’m loving the Burger bed bump! So cute!
Ann says
My chihuahua is always under our covers too! It’s always a treat to see which blanket he’s curled up in.
lindaroo says
So this is John making the bed every day? Good for you, again setting a standard for freedom from gender roles in the home.
I appreciate this level of honesty and vulnerability. I thought I was the only one whose bed didn’t get made every day.
I think the sidebar on the blog is much more inviting and readable now that it’s streamlined, thank you!
Carrie says
I found the whole “having the house super neat in case there’s a showing” to be annoying, but necessary. You never know when a showing will be scheduled while you’re out. That said, it did reduce the amount of cleaning on the weekends, most definitely! Unfortunately now that we’ve moved I’m back to my slovenly ways… lol :)
nicole says
Too funny! Ricki’s always trying to climb back in between the pillows when I make the bed. He loves pillow forts!
Lorrie says
Burger is adorable….it is funny how they have a set routine and don’t like to deviate. Kind of like us two-leggers….Good luck with your resolution!
Margaret D says
I really need to get into the habit of making my bed every day. I’m a late sleeper and am usually running around trying to get ready for work but just a few extra minutes is all it takes. I “think” I can do that, lol! On the other hand I’m a water freak. I love water, it’s all me and my husband drink. We’ve only recently starting stocking soda and jusice in the fridge for our guests since they’d complain we only offered water, hee!
Kate says
So adorable! Love that little guy :) We are religious bed-makers, and our little puggle loves to sleep late. Her answer is to push the pillows off of every bed in the house when she wants to snuggle up, trying to make a space to lay. She has never managed to wiggle under the covers – but it’s not uncommon to walk the house and put pillows back on EVERY bed in the house periodically. (She especially loves to do this to the guest bedrooms!)
Nikki says
Do you plan on sharing the MLS listing? Can you (per the recent resolutions) give super short blog updates when someone comes to view your house? I would love to know what kind of traffic you’re getting as a FSBO and whether the blog has had an impact! Thanks…you guys are great!
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll definitely keep you posted about all those adventures! Current status: cleaning the heck out of the house to get it ready ready ready!
xo,
s
Melanie says
I applaud your efforts of making your bed each day, but I have to say I applaud Burger’s efforts a bit more. That’s dedication right there.
Lorilyn says
Isn’t it funny how something so simple and quick like making the bed, which literally takes less then a couple minutes, and makes a huge difference on how clean your room feels, gets overlooked so easily?
I only started making the bed once I got married because with two people sharing a room, it’s the only way I could keep some order to things to keep my sanity.
And Burger = Hilarious.
JMB says
I make a valiant attempt to make the bed every day, but it doesn’t always happen. I read in a couple of other blogs recently that making your bed at any point in the day (even if it’s 30 minutes before you climb back into it)helps you to feel as though you’ve accomplished something… especially on particularly crazy days! Either way…made or unmade…there will be a “cat lump” in there somewhere :o)
Carmen says
Love the Sunday post! You guys are awesome! Made my bed today, but I am not sure it will be done everyday. Quick one, the art work in Clara’s room with clara kenley, what is the name of the artist? You had a giveaway for them, unfortunately I have forgotten it. Thanks so much. Will you, Sherry be buying something from polli? have a good one.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Carmen,
That was actually a gift for Clara from Numsi. It was a lovely surprise! Check out their site here: http://www.numsi.com/
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
I’ll join in the resolution with you…those pictures could have been of my bed! 75% unmade sounds about right!
Krystal says
I am very impressed by this resolution. Personally, I can’t sleep in a made bed, so I generally end up never making it unless I’m expecting company or it’s cleaning day. Not to mention that I also need to be overheated in order to sleep well so it’s quite a hassle to make my bed when it involves tucking in the top sheet and blanket, smoothing out the duvet, and putting away the extra comforter. lol
Kerry says
haha my blue head does the same thing, no matter how tight you make the beds in the house he finds his way back under it every day.
Do you ever wonder what goes through their mind as they sit under there for hours and hours? Sometimes Blue will just sit facing the back of the couch, not sleeping, just staring at the back of the couch….
OwningSingle says
OK I’m in on the bed making resolution. Does that mean putting the throw pillows too? On the water resolution…. how about MOSTLY water for October?
YoungHouseLove says
They’re both as flexible as you wanna go! John’s just hardcore. Hah.
xo,
s
Mia says
I love the look of a nice, crisp, well-made bed so I try to make the effort every day, even if we’re the only ones to see it…I left it in my husband’s hands for a while and he mostly just pulled the sheet and quilt up to the top, no pillow set-up. So I’ve taken it back, but I’m not 100%. It’s hard when we’re rushing out of the house at the beginning of the day!
lora says
Ha Ha! Bed making is the one chore I make absolutely sure gets done every day! A few years ago, my husband told me that he knows when I’ve had a bad day because the bed isn’t made – it’s been made every day since!
Jessica says
I make my bed every single day, even if I’m running late. I got into that habit in college when I realized my mom wasn’t around to do it for me! Even on the off day when I don’t make my bed, I will make it at bedtime so that I can slip into a freshly made bed!
Amanda says
This must be a breed thing. My friend’s chihuahua, Tiki, sounds like a gremlin when she’s trying to burrow into things, so cute!
Kathy Z says
I like to make my bed everyday. It’s just so relaxing to walk into a room that’s straightened. I have a cav king charles spaniel that loves to snuggle under the covers with us. And two cats that love to be under the sheets when I’m making the bed. :)
Lisa O. says
Haha! Those Burger shots made me laugh out loud. I usually make the bed every morning. I love the idea of a water-only month! Maybe I’ll do aqua-tea-ber (too far?) and try drinking only water and unsweetened tea.
Iraida says
I’m considering joining you on the water drinking much easier than the bed :) … But, ummmm, did I miss a blog?? You’re selling the house??? Why? Where? Who?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Iraida,
We made that big announcement last Wednesday, so just scroll back a few posts!
xo,
s
Lisa in Seattle says
John – If you’re kicking the Dr to the curb cold-turkey, how are you planning to deal with the caffeine withdrawal symptoms? I gave up caffeine once – thought I was going to die and was afraid I wouldn’t. Worst headaches of my life.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lisa,
I’m just a strong guy I guess. Kidding, but I do it every October and it doesn’t seem to be that hard for me (maybe because I don’t drink a ton of soda anyway and I’m not addicted to coffee or anything). The hardest part is resisting the delicious taste.
-John
Miranda says
Just love Burger to pieces.
Kayakgirl73 says
I’m a daily bed-maker have been since I was a kid. I even made my bed in college. Now drinking only water that would be hard for me. I need to cut back on the caffine.
Christine says
The Burger-bump is adorable. It’d be so nice to be curled under the comforter on this rainy day!
Lara says
First off, where is your duvet from?
And second, my puggle does the same thing – no matter what! We try to make the bed, but it doesn’t matter, he finds his way in and then messes it up anyways.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lara,
It’s from West Elm (but they don’t sell it anymore, so maybe try eBay?).
xo,
s
KCatGU says
My husband works nights, so the number of hours one of us isn’t sleeping in the bed is anywhere from 4 -6, but I always pull the sheet up and our blanket for him and he does the same for me, but we never seem to get the duvet cover up (even though I think it looks so cool)
Mallorie says
I made daily bed making my New Year’s resolution last year. I have to report that after a few false starts I am now consistently making the bed every morning (my husband even assists once in awhile). And heck, it’s only October! You can do it! :)
Kimberlea says
blogging on a Sunday… whaaaat?!
Alexandra says
Somehow October became “Organizetober” in my house. We re-painted the living and dining, and now we just can’t stop organizing and cleaning. Hubby has been making the bed everyday too!
Kjerste Lee says
Haha! Our furbaby (pitbull/boxer mix) loves to snuggle under the covers too. Sometimes we make the bed over him, and sometimes we kick the goofy pup out. Sounds cruel, but if we didn’t we’d literally never get the bed made! It feels good to come home to a neatly made bed.
Jill says
Burger’s just doing his part to get the house sold!
When we first saw the condo we bought this year, it was spotless and all set up for buyers to come through, but in the bedroom, there was an extremely indignant kitty lump growling at us from under the covers.
Nothing could have charmed me more. :)
Natalie says
I’m definitely joining you in your quest to make the bed on a daily basis!
I could scrub every inch of our home, but if I make the bed, guess what the husband comments on? :p
Ashley Eisele says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for Aqua-tober! I’m been trying to find some inspiration to cut beloved Coke out of my diet for a while & a catchily-named movement never fails. I’ve also become a big supporter of making the bed everyday, which makes my inner child roll her eyes, but it does lift my day a bit to have a neat bedroom.
Katie says
Your Burger reminds me so much of my dog child Biscuit (she’s an italian greyhound). Not only do they both boast food monikers, but like Burger, Biscuit will do everything in her power to find the warmest, softest spot in the house to burrow for a long spring, summer, fall, winter’s nap. I can’t tell you how many times i’ve plopped down on the couch on top of her not knowing she was under that pile of blankets. Of course, each and every time, she comes out looking at me like I certainly should know better by now.
Lisa Phil says
I cannot go a day without making the bed. For some reason the house feels messy. The same goes for leaving dishes in the sink. When the sink is squeaky clean and the bed is made our tiny apartment feels put together.
Sandi Rodriguez says
I have a crazy obsession with making my bed everyday. Our family thinks we are crazy b/c we wash our sheets like 3 times a week & always make our bed. To me that’s the one place you retreat to every night I want to be the coziest I can be.
Beth says
i hope i am not repeating something that another has already said, but i read in organization mag that if you just make your bed it makes the room appear 80% cleaner.
Jenny says
This sounded like an awesome idea. Six days into October and I’ve yet to make my bed. Partially because my cat enjoys snuggling in the covers just like Burger! I wouldn’t want to disturb his routine!
Funmilayo says
Hmm, we’re 10 days into October already, and I just clicked on this, but I think it’ll be great to join you in this Octosolution…I’m down..esp since we just bought a new mattress, that’s great way to break it in!
Lisa says
My little muffin likes to get under the covers w/us as soon as the weather turns cold. He pushes at the covers w/his nose until we lift them up so he can get in. Loves being under cover.
AJ says
For guilt free unmade loveliness…..
http://maisonboheme.blogspot.com/2010/12/unmade-bed.html