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Why I Always Make My Bed

And send me your questions! Plus, five recommendations for you.

Elizabeth Holmes

Sep 21, 2021
11

Welcome to So Many Thoughts, a semi-weekly newsletter about royal style and the other parts of life I want to think through with you. You can subscribe here and follow me on Instagram at @EHolmes. Thank you!

When I moved into my dorm room for my freshman year of college, I was a nervous wreck. My mom, however, was a woman on a mission — to make my bed. She worked quickly around my lofted bunk, tucking in the freshly laundered sheets (with a hospital corner, naturally), smoothing out the colorful comforter, and stacking two pillows squarely at the top. The quickest way to make a new space feel like home, she believed, was to make the bed.

I’ve carried that with me in the dozen spots I’ve lived in since. In the whirlwind of our recent move to Los Angeles, I set aside two big boxes labeled “Bedding,” washed and ready to be put on as soon as the beds came off our moving truck. It had the intended effect — my kids shrieked with delight when they saw their rooms for the first time. Even two-year-old Bird, who has been mighty confused by the move, shouted: “MY BED! MY BED!”

Bird's new bedroom is slowly coming together.

Making the beds gave me a small sense of accomplishment on that chaotic moving day and in the days since. We’re living in a state of disarray at the moment, surrounded by stuff spilling out of boxes. It makes me crazy, if I'm being honest. But at least the beds are made? I think my mom would be proud.

What's one small thing you do each day that makes you feel better? Hit "Join the Discussion" at the bottom of this email and leave a comment. I would love to hear your Thoughts.

PS: If you need more make-your-bed encouragement, check out this fantastic commencement address by Naval Adm. William McRaven at the University of Texas (the bed bit starts around 4:45).

***

A quick newsletter note! I’m attempting to organize my thoughts a bit more as I get into the routine of writing twice each week. Here's what you can expect:

  • Tuesdays will be a quick(er) read followed by my five or so recommendations (on what to read / watch / listen to, as well as what I am buying)

  • Fridays will be a bit more of a deep dive on something I've been thinking about, along with my royal news roundup of the week

But mostly: I’d love to answer your questions. So many queries pop up in my DMs asking about everything from the royal family to personal style to infertility to my career as a writer. I thought it might be helpful if I answer them here? Please email your questions to hello@somanythoughts.com.

***

Five Things To Check Out This Week

  1. READ: I am horrified by the images from the Texas border this week of patrol agents abusing Haitian immigrants. NPR has an interview with a photographer on the scene, and the New York Times has a helpful explainer on the dire situation. (NPR, New York Times)

  2. READ + SHOP: Amanda Gorman’s new children’s book is out today! The phenomenal young poet’s debut picture book, “Change Sings,” promises to be an instant bestseller. I can’t wait for my copy to arrive. Buy it from your local bookstore if you can! (Bookshop, Amazon)

  3. READ: How many times have I used the phrase “working mom” without realizing how absurd it is? Have you ever heard anyone describe a man as a “working dad” — because I sure haven’t. Thanks to Katherine Goldstein and Jo Piazza for this piece on why we need to retire the term. (Romper)

  4. SHOP: A fun and fancy sweatshirt for fall (size down!). (Target)

  5. LAUGH: H/t to Courtney in my mom’s group for sharing this, I’m using it as new home design inspo. (TikTok)

Note: I use affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may get a small percentage at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!

***

I'll see you back in your inboxes on Friday. And don't forget to send me your questions! My email address is: hello@somanythoughts.com.

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Comments
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11 Comments

  • Julia Runci
    So true about making the bed! We made sure our beds were made up when we moved into our new home and it made a world of difference being able to collapse into a familiar bed at the end of moving day. I also hold so much value in making our bed each mor…
    See more
    • 34w
    • Author
      Elizabeth Holmes
      YES! I deeply believe that crawling into a *made* bed feels better than an unmade bed.
      • 34w
  • Sarah Soster
    Similar to making beds in the morning leading to better evenings, I always try to load the dishwasher/clear the kitchen counters before I go to bed at night. Waking up to a tidy kitchen makes for a less stressful morning. Which means a happier mom and …
    See more
    2
    • 34w
    • Author
      Elizabeth Holmes
      Sarah! I'm the same way with the kitchen. I try very hard to wipe/sweep before I go to bed so we can start the next day fresh. Happier mom definitely means happier kiddos. ❤
      • 34w
  • Elizabeth McGarr McCue
    Immediately thought of McRaven’s speech when I saw the subject line. Loved it so much And basically think of it every morning when I make my bed! (I went to Texas….graduated well before that commencement address but that one made the rounds for sure) H…
    See more
    • 34w
  • Sharon Macklin
    Absolutely, I make the bed every day. It is the first thing I do when we both get out of bed (we are retired.). When I worked, I left early but my husband did make the bed…at my insistence, probably just before I walked in the door. He would leave it…
    See more
    • 34w
    • Author
      Elizabeth Holmes
      Matt does the same! And he was definitely not a bed maker before we started dating 😉
      • 34w
  • Bianca Marie Lupan
    If it’s financially feasible, I would highly recommend hiring some home organizers to help with unpacking! They often work in teams and are super efficient. I’m sure you can find a business that would wear masks at all times and follow other COVID precautions
    • 34w
    • Author
      Elizabeth Holmes
      I'm reaching that point! We've unpacked a lot and now I've just hit...a wall. May be time to call in reinforcements. 😉
      • 34w
  • Erin Robertson
    So true about making your bed! I would add that on the mornings I'm able to get up before my family and read my book for a bit with a cup of coffee, those are my best days. 🙂
    • 34w
  • Ashfiya Raika
    Good...
    • 21w
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