I’m not much of a housekeeper. Don’t get me wrong, I try my best, and it’s not a complete wreck (mostly thanks to the husband), but I’ve really been a bit of a mess ever since childhood. I have no excuses for this. One of my favorite memories from my youth is waking up on Saturday mornings; the radio would be playing, my mom would be running the vacuum, and you could smell the clean. I don’t know why it didn’t rub off, but I can go way too long without even thinking about dusting.
 

But I recently read that making your bed every morning is a great way to start the day right, be more confident, and be more productive. I’m sure there’s some brain chemistry involved, but I have my own less scientific theory about why this might be true: it’s all about momentum. Getting started is the hardest part.

When the husband and I started paying off our debts, it was difficult to decide where to start. There was an auto loan, a personal loan, and a few credit cards. We spent time deciding how to pay down our debt that would have been better used actually making the payments...but getting started was the hardest part. Finally we decided to pay off the highest interest loans first, while still making the minimum monthly payments on the rest. With a plan in place, it wasn’t actually easier to cut our spending and make those large payments, but it felt easier.

My oldest daughter is bringing homework home from school, and she’s starting to work on projects that take more than just a day to complete. For her, it’s a huge step, and I can tell that it’s a little overwhelming at times. So we’ve been working on making a plan, breaking down her projects into steps, and moving forward on a schedule. Her assignments aren’t getting any less demanding or complex, but now she’s able to focus, and it feels easier to her.

So here’s my take on the housework situation: I’ll start making the bed, every morning. It’s a pretty easy chore to tackle, and an easy check mark on my to-do list. And then, hopefully, that sense of accomplishment will help me complete bigger tasks: at work, at home, and for my own personal growth.

Is there a habit you’re trying to form? Let’s make a deal. Commit to getting started today. For me, that means making the bed every morning. For you, maybe it’s saving your loose change every day or always opting for the stairs over the elevator. But let’s focus on getting it done today, every day, and see where that momentum takes us. I’m Claire, the Afena blog mom. Thanks for reading.