Personally, I rarely set goals, and I’m happy this way. I’ve achieved a fair amount in running and academics without putting any pressure at all on myself. Still, I do set minor goals like “make my bed every day” or “learn about evolution.”
I think it’s a short-term vs. long-term happiness trade-off. Like, in the short-term, I’d rather sleep in an extra minute than make my bed. But in the long-term, I can pat myself on the back for becoming more conscientious and enjoy the aesthetic appeal. In the short-term, I’d have more fun going hiking than reading about evolution, but in the long-term, it feels good to be less ignorant.
Having specific goals probably helps people focus on what’s important to them in the long run. But yeah, if personal happiness is someone’s only/top priority in life, and that happiness doesn’t depend too much on the happiness of the rest of the world, then that person might be better off just living in the moment and not worrying too much about goals.
Generally speaking being in a space where things are tidy and orderly is supposed to have a psychological effect, making people more focused, organized, disciplined and so on, so pursuing their important goals more efficiently. I don’t think anyone tested it scientifically, it is more like the pop-psychology of it. There is another idea that clutter is cognitively exhausting, perhaps a chaotic looking bed is in this category...
We know militaries tend to be very anal about this (make your bed perfectly, fold your clothes perfectly, and so on...) and they tend to be fairly efficient organizations so it must have some psychological effect probably, but it is not sure it is the kind of psychological effect you would want (obedience training, for example).
There is another idea that clutter is cognitively exhausting, perhaps a chaotic looking bed is in this category...
To me, I actually find it to be the opposite. I like to read and do work in my bed, so I’m in and out of it a lot. And so I find it to be somewhat cognitively exhausting when I see that it’s all tucked in and I have to fidget with my covers and pillows before I jump in.
And aesthetically, an “unmade” bed for me is just when the covers are slightly untucked and the pillows I’m not using are on the floor. I don’t find this to be aesthetically troubling at all.
And aesthetically, an “unmade” bed for me is just when the covers are slightly untucked and the pillows I’m not using are on the floor. I don’t find this to be aesthetically troubling at all.
Interesting. I get up every morning with my bed looking like I just had sex with a dozen rabid wild hogs. The bed sheet half off, pillows all over etc. I have no idea why.
What I did: re-evaluate the “messy thing” to be “normal” or not-messy. I can understand where the idea that clutter is exhausting and confusing might come from; but if you don’t do more than barely “see” it without identifying it or trying to add it to a list of “incomplete things” in your head; then its not really distracting. its about as distracting as the colour of the walls or the feel of your clothing...
We know militaries tend to be very anal about this (make your bed perfectly, fold your clothes perfectly, and so on...) and they tend to be fairly efficient organizations so it must have some psychological effect probably, but it is not sure it is the kind of psychological effect you would want (obedience training, for example).
If you’re adopting such a practice for your own sake, obedience to your own decisions can be considered a virtue worth cultivating. Or in LW terminology, the ability to precommit is useful and trainable.
I think spending time at LW hasi influenced me to do this, now that I think about it :)
I think a made bed looks a bit nicer, but that alone never made me make it. Everyone here makes it seem like setting and achieving goals is an attractive habit to be in, and at least with my new “little” goals, I agree, and I’m glad I have them.
Personally, I rarely set goals, and I’m happy this way. I’ve achieved a fair amount in running and academics without putting any pressure at all on myself. Still, I do set minor goals like “make my bed every day” or “learn about evolution.”
I think it’s a short-term vs. long-term happiness trade-off. Like, in the short-term, I’d rather sleep in an extra minute than make my bed. But in the long-term, I can pat myself on the back for becoming more conscientious and enjoy the aesthetic appeal. In the short-term, I’d have more fun going hiking than reading about evolution, but in the long-term, it feels good to be less ignorant.
Having specific goals probably helps people focus on what’s important to them in the long run. But yeah, if personal happiness is someone’s only/top priority in life, and that happiness doesn’t depend too much on the happiness of the rest of the world, then that person might be better off just living in the moment and not worrying too much about goals.
(personal note: I have never understood the point of making a bed. I would rather have an unmade bed than a made bed)
Generally speaking being in a space where things are tidy and orderly is supposed to have a psychological effect, making people more focused, organized, disciplined and so on, so pursuing their important goals more efficiently. I don’t think anyone tested it scientifically, it is more like the pop-psychology of it. There is another idea that clutter is cognitively exhausting, perhaps a chaotic looking bed is in this category...
We know militaries tend to be very anal about this (make your bed perfectly, fold your clothes perfectly, and so on...) and they tend to be fairly efficient organizations so it must have some psychological effect probably, but it is not sure it is the kind of psychological effect you would want (obedience training, for example).
To me, I actually find it to be the opposite. I like to read and do work in my bed, so I’m in and out of it a lot. And so I find it to be somewhat cognitively exhausting when I see that it’s all tucked in and I have to fidget with my covers and pillows before I jump in.
And aesthetically, an “unmade” bed for me is just when the covers are slightly untucked and the pillows I’m not using are on the floor. I don’t find this to be aesthetically troubling at all.
Interesting. I get up every morning with my bed looking like I just had sex with a dozen rabid wild hogs. The bed sheet half off, pillows all over etc. I have no idea why.
...maybe you just don’t remember X-D
What I did: re-evaluate the “messy thing” to be “normal” or not-messy. I can understand where the idea that clutter is exhausting and confusing might come from; but if you don’t do more than barely “see” it without identifying it or trying to add it to a list of “incomplete things” in your head; then its not really distracting. its about as distracting as the colour of the walls or the feel of your clothing...
If you’re adopting such a practice for your own sake, obedience to your own decisions can be considered a virtue worth cultivating. Or in LW terminology, the ability to precommit is useful and trainable.
I think spending time at LW hasi influenced me to do this, now that I think about it :)
I think a made bed looks a bit nicer, but that alone never made me make it. Everyone here makes it seem like setting and achieving goals is an attractive habit to be in, and at least with my new “little” goals, I agree, and I’m glad I have them.