The Day I Didn't Make the Bed

It's 11:15, and I haven't made my bed.

Some of you are shrugging and thinking, so what. This is my everyday situation. 

 I don't know how you can live that way.

Documented proof: just in case you don't believe me!

Right now, that messy bed is taunting me with its dented, unfluffed pillows, bunched up sheets, and rumpled comforter. The decorative pillows tossed carelessly on the storage bench at the foot of the bed, the ultimate insult.

"Come on, Annmarie," it's calling. "It will only take a few minutes. Don't leave me like this. I beg of you."

Sorry, bed.  I'm committed to this nutty little experiment.

Meanwhile, every fiber of my being is holding up miniature picket signs reading: Make the bed, NOW! Disarray is the ENEMY! An unmade bed is a SIN! Sheet lives MATTER! 

 I will resist. I must. Not that I wasn't already acutely aware of this, but all signs lately lead to one undeniable fact:  I am wound tighter than an eight-day clock, and I need to loosen the springs a tad for my own sanity--and the safety of those around me.


And so it will begin with an unmade bed.  I will leave it alone, suppress the growing urge to indulge my inner neat freak.

Who knows what crazy thing I'll do next.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

To Do's

If my skull had a hinge and you dared open it at the moment, you would be buried in an explosion of unfinished business, looming unknowns, unfounded fears, and endless "to do's." That's where I am today. And, I know I am not alone. So, here's a little poem for anyone at the base of a snow-covered mountain, waiting for the avalanche to bury her: To Do Do cut yourself some slack, woman      even as your list of responsibilities and tasks explodes,           especially when you feel incapable and overwhelmed. Say to yourself, "I'm capable." Say to yourself, "I'm worthy." Say to yourself, "I'm strong." Do allow yourself time to breath, lady      even when you're breathless from the demands of life,           especially when you feel like your breath seems to be running out. Tell yourself, "I got this." Tell yourself, "It's temporary." Tell yourself, "Just breathe." ...
Read more

Kind and Generous

Image
Last week, my post was inspired by "These Are Days" by 10,000 Maniacs. In her response, a dear friend dropped another gem by Natalie Merchant: "Kind and Generous." The lyrics really hit home, especially these days. I've been working hard to overcome some pretty unsavory and deep-seeded feelings, emotions I thought I was doing a bang-up job of ignoring and squelching. Until I wasn't. I've always been empathetic and compassionate with others but have always struggled to extend those kindnesses to myself. Somehow I got the message that I wasn't worthy of it, that I had to live up to some impossible set of standards just to be good enough. And, don't misconstrue this as me blaming my mother (everyone blames the poor mother) or my upbringing in general. These messages come fast and furious from all directions in our society. I just did a stellar job of internalizing every single one of them. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who see all t...
Read more

Say "Ahhh"

Image
No, this is not about going to the doctor. No one will be sticking a tongue depressor so far back in your throat you want to gag. I promise. The "ahhh" I'm talking about is that rush of air pushed out after a deep inhale, that point of release where you exhale all the stress building in your body, all that stuff making your neck tight, your heart race, your head pound, your brain freak out. My #1 goal for 2018 is to breathe through situations that would normally trigger worry and anxiety. The great thing is, I can pull it off without any special equipment or without drawing attention to myself, and especially important feature when you work with middle schools students who claim you're " triggered " every time you do or say anything they don't approve of. And, just in case you didn't know, that's pretty much everything. Come to think of it, I can exhibit signs of triggeredness (I'm fully aware this isn't a word--even before spell a...
Read more