I had a basket ball coach as a kid who would always ask us if we left our beds unmade after a day of doing horribly, or not better than we should be. Nearly every time, without fail, when I was asked that question, the truth was that I had left it unmade. I also never liked the game, and still don't view the sport favorably, but every day since then I make sure to take the time to make my bed in the morning.

The fact of the matter is making the bed is entirely unimportant. It's symbolic of the state of always playing catch-up because you are behind from the moment you wake up. Nothing is more important than taking a few minutes to organize yourself and your living quarters, as well as everything else in your life, both physically and mentally. Hell, you could stand there and admire the wrinkles and folds of your unmade bed, if that is how you prefer it to be kept, just as long as you stand there and give yourself a minute (or two).

There's a false equivalency here though. Clearing away in my kitchen or keeping papers on my desk tidy both have clear benefits to them; by ensuring the items are in known locations they are quicker to find, by ensuring they aren't spread over other things they provide space to work and reduce the risk of accidental damage or loss.

None of this is true with my bedding. I won't lose my duvet because it's not sitting straight on my bed. I suppose I could conceivably damage nightwear in putting it on but that risk is unconnected with its storage location. Yet, because tidiness has practical benefits in other contexts, it has become a generalised virtue. Which is nonsense.

"Nothing is more important than taking a few minutes to organize yourself and your living quarters"

Reeeally? I haven't cleaned my room or made my bed in a year. Think about how much time I've gained.