Your mindset and attitude will make or break your day.
Too often, before we even get out of bed in the morning, our minds are cluttered with the things we have on the to do list. By the time we sit down for breakfast (do you take the time for breakfast?) we feel overwhelmed and can dread what the day holds in store for us.
Now, I can’t promise that doing the following two simple things will be life changing. I can say, if you choose to do them, it can change your day. What are these two mysterious, even magical things?
Making your bed and a clean and empty kitchen sink.
Keep reading! This may sound simple. Maybe even boring. The truth is, it is simple. Yet these two things are often left undone, and the impact to your day is huge.
Here’s why.
Many of the messages and thoughts we have every day go largely unnoticed by our conscious mind. The subconscious mind deals with a lot of what we say to ourselves. Some of these messages come from our environment. That’s why decluttering has become the latest rage. A clear environment helps decrease stress. An unmade bed and sink full of dirty dishes help add to the stress. Whether you are caregiving for aging parents, a spouse or other family members, doing, these two things alone can help set you up for a much brighter day.
I’ve experienced this myself. When I walk into my kitchen in the morning with a sink full of dirty dishes, I try to not look at them. It feels like another brick on the wall of things I’ll never have time to do. I feel much better and in control of my day when I take the time in the evening to put them in the dishwasher and wash up the rest and put them away. It really takes little time, even though I’ve talked myself out of it on many occasions.
When I was young, I couldn’t figure out why it was necessary to make my bed in the morning when I was just going to mess it up at night. Now that I’m “all grown up” I notice how much better I feel all day when I’ve started it out with an accomplishment. In about 3 minutes the bed is made. Simple. Quick. And it kick starts my day into awesomeness! It’s also a reminder that I did accomplish something, especially later on in the day when I’m feeling dragged out or things aren’t going as I’d planned.
If you’d like to level up these activities, add gratitude into them. While you are making the bed, think about all the things that bring gratitude. Make it easy, say thank you for sheets, blankets, mattresses, pillows, nightstand, lights, flooring. Look around your room and say thanks to everything you see.
When you put the dishes away, give thanks for the dishes, the stove, the oven, the food, the fridge, and the counter. Say thanks for everything you see. Feeling genuinely grateful is a massive mindset changer.
There you have it. Take 3 minutes to make your bed. Take 10 minutes to put the dishes in the dishwasher. You can delegate each of those tasks. The goal is to have your bed made in the morning and the kitchen sink empty at night. How you make that happen is up to you.
This is my challenge to you – try this for at least 66 days. The new neurological research says it can take up to 66 days to form a new habit. See how it works for you.
Please leave me a comment on this challenge. Do you have tips to make this even easier?
How did the 66 day challenge work out for you?
Send me an email if you’d like to share or ask questions.
May you find peace, hope, and joy in every day.
I like that idea of being able to say that “I have already been able to accomplish something today” as you “start your day”. When we are fighting for any success that we can get, at any time of the day, at least the day has not been a total write off, it may even get better. Plus I somehow seem to rest better when I get into a made bed.
Yes, Bob. It can seem simple and overwhelming at the same time. To start with an accomplishment and be reminded of that accomplishment certainly puts some great “bookends” to the day, regardless of how the rest of worked out. It’s great for the psyche!