I read somewhere that making your bed every day gives you a gift you get to unwrap every night. It inspired me, not only to make my bed but to also look at the rest of what I have in my home as things I get to enjoy, instead of only seeing them as chores or things to maintain.
Organizing my craft supplies can feel like shopping in a craft store, I am so blessed with stuff. Rearranging what’s in my closets and cupboards can feel like visiting a second hand store, as I re-discover treasures and decide to move the “special glasses” down with the everyday ones. Putting clean clothes away can feel like I just returned from a shopping trip (well, that one might be a stretch, but you get the idea). It’s not unlike the practice of listing x-number of things you’re grateful for each day – an attempt at redirecting your brain toward what you have rather than what you lack.
Last week, I got to spend time rearranging a room at work to create an office/meeting space that will be used by multiple people in a variety of ways, using only furniture and accessories I could find around the building. That kind of project always energizes me. I love the challenge of looking at old things in new ways and shopping from a building full of forgotten gems. It’s all very “bluebird of happiness” – a reminder that what we’re looking for can (almost always) be found in our own backyard.
In the midst of the project, I started thinking about the parts of myself I haven’t used in a while and whether I’m ready to pull them back out again. I’m still unpacking those thoughts and pairing them with the search for my word for 2022 – reawaken, respair, and plenty are the top contenders. Not sure where any of that is headed, so I’ll keep making my bed and focus on gratitude. Seems like a strong start to a new year.
The same is true for me. Making my bed and keeping things clean are simple acts over which I have control. I don’t often feel in control of my interactions with administrators, judging circuits, or other designers. These small actions balance those feelings.
You’ve done it again: prompted me to rethink so much in my own life. I never looked at making the bed as part of gifting, but now I will. As for locating the existing treasures, I hope to be doing a LOT more of that in coming months. I’ve not settled with certainty on my word for the year, but “simplicity” (or “simplify” when it fits better) is the current top contender. I’ll let it percolate a bit more. See? Your writing bears fruit.
First of all, I love your new bedspread. It looks like you. I saw the same “gift” story on my feed. That gave an entirely new perspective on making my bed. Now to the 2022 word. My first one chosen was LIGHT. I want to be the teeny tiny sliver of light in the dark. Secondly, I’ve chosen ENOUGh as my word. Instead of more, I just want to be satisfied with enough.