Why Making the Bed Matters
Let’s imagine, you wake up, sunlight streaming through your window. You swing your legs out of bed, smooth the sheets, and straighten the pillows. The bed looks tidy, the room feels calm, and for just a moment, the day feels like it’s under control. That first small choice sets the tone: your coffee tastes a little better, your thoughts feel a little clearer, and the sense of accomplishment nudges you to take another intentional action.
Now, imagine the opposite. You roll out of bed, sheets rumpled, pillows askew, and the room feels cluttered. You step into the day already behind, juggling the usual chaos, and that little sense of control is missing. The ripple effect is subtle but real: it’s harder to start the morning right, harder to stick to small routines, harder to take care of yourself when life gets busy.
So why does making the bed matter? You probably guess that it’s not the actual act of straightening sheets that matters. It’s the habit behind it: the small, intentional choice that gives you a sense of accomplishment and signals that you can take care of yourself — even during the busiest seasons. That’s the power of tiny wins, and it’s exactly the mindset that helps you build healthy routines that last.
This same mindset — starting with small, intentional wins — applies to every part of your life, especially your health, fitness, and wellness. Here are 5 practical tips to help you take control of your routines, even when schedules are full and life is unpredictable.
1. Start Small with Habit Stacking
When life feels overwhelming, the last thing you need is a huge overhaul. Habit stacking — a concept popularized by James Clear in Atomic Habits — works because it builds on what you’re already doing.
Examples:
While the coffee brews → drink a full glass of water.
After school drop-off or on your lunch break→ take a 10-minute walk before heading home.
After brushing your teeth in the morning → do 10 bodyweight squats.
Before bed → set out your workout clothes for tomorrow.
These actions feel almost too small to matter, but they’re powerful because they’re consistent. Done daily, they create momentum and identity change — you begin to see yourself as someone who takes care of yourself no matter what.
2. Focus on Minimums, Not Perfection
We tend to think “if I can’t do the full workout or make the perfect meal, why bother?” But that all-or-nothing thinking is exactly what keeps people stuck.
Instead, set minimums: the smallest version of a habit you can still feel good about. This way, even on chaotic days, you keep showing up.
Examples:
Can’t make it to the gym? Do a 15–20 minute bodyweight workout at home.
Too busy to cook? Prep or purchase one protein-rich snack or tomorrow’s lunch.
Feeling stressed? Take two minutes for a breathing exercise or a short walk.
Consistency beats intensity — the smallest effort is still effort, and it builds momentum for bigger wins later.
3. Build Routines That Fit Your Reality
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to force routines that don’t align with their actual lifestyle. If your plan constantly fights against your schedule, it won’t stick.
Examples:
If evenings are chaotic with kids’ homework and sports, block 20 minutes for movement in the morning.
If weekends are jam-packed, focus your workouts on weekdays and let weekends be active family time.
If long workouts aren’t realistic, break them into shorter “movement snacks” throughout the day.
Think about your schedule honestly, then ask: what would this look like if it were easy?
4. Expect Imperfection (and Plan for It)
Busy seasons come with unpredictability — sick kids, last-minute meetings, holiday travel. Instead of aiming for perfect consistency, plan for flexibility.
A helpful mindset shift: aim for an 80/20 approach. If 80% of the time you hit your habits, the other 20% won’t derail your progress. What matters most is how quickly you get back on track after disruptions.
Pro tip: create an “if/then” plan.
If I miss my morning workout → I’ll take a 15-minute walk after dinner.
If I don’t have time to cook → I’ll order a protein + veggie-based takeout option.
If my schedule changes → I’ll move tomorrow’s workout to another day instead of skipping the week.
This way, you’re never starting from zero — you’re just adjusting.
5. Batch Your Decisions to Reduce Daily Friction
Decision fatigue is real — every choice takes mental energy, and busy seasons are full of them. By batching decisions in advance, you free up bandwidth for your health and wellbeing.
Examples:
Plan your week’s meals in one session instead of deciding breakfast and lunch daily.
Plan your workout schedule for the week on Sunday, even if you need to adjust it later.
Prep your work clothes or gym clothes, gym bag, or lunch ingredients all at once to make mornings smoother.
Batching doesn’t mean rigid control — it means setting yourself up for success by making the healthy choice the easy choice.
Final Thoughts
Busy seasons don’t mean putting yourself last. Those tiny, intentional actions — like making the bed or prepping a snack — build habits that compound over time. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s the foundation that allows you to show up with more energy, patience, and presence for everyone else.
That’s exactly what my Thrive program is designed to do: help you build routines that stick, even when life is full.
✨ Enrollment is open now — click here to learn more and join us.