This may seem like a post that has the possibility to step over the edge of appropriateness, but, I assure you, it will not. When I am settled some place for a long enough time I am the type of person that would live out of my bed all day if I could. There is no place more comfortable, convenient, or practical in my opinion. I eat in my bed, read in my bed, do work from my bed….. everything in my bed! Often there is only an empty space just big enough for me to squeeze into and the rest of the bed is covered in all the those things I deem ‘necessities’ for my daily operations. Except those times when I find myself sharing a bed of course. Who am I kidding, even then I prefer to simply move the things off for the night and place them all back on in the morning. Just like how some people have crowded desks, I have a crowded bed. Here are the 10 most common things I keep in my bed with me!
1. Books and Papers This often ranges from novels I am reading for fun or guidebooks to full on reports or spreadsheets I need for work. Depending on where I am and what my current occupation (or lack there of) is these books and papers change. Currently I am on a 4 month contract in Indonesia and planning for my upcoming backpacking trip so I have a Southeast Asia Guidebook, reports for work, a notebook of meeting minutes, and “Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas” by Tom Robbins. |
2. Cell Phone and Computer
I admit it; I keep my computer and phone in bed. I’m not very good with technology but I do go on my computer a lot before bed and use my cell phone as an alarm clock. I’ve also learnt that I am more productive with my computer in my bed. If I wake up and can simply open it to check my emails for the day or finish typing up a report without actually having to get up then even if I ‘laze’ around for an hour before getting up to make my coffee I can spend that hour doing something productive. When getting to my computer means leaving my bed, work usually starts much later.
I admit it; I keep my computer and phone in bed. I’m not very good with technology but I do go on my computer a lot before bed and use my cell phone as an alarm clock. I’ve also learnt that I am more productive with my computer in my bed. If I wake up and can simply open it to check my emails for the day or finish typing up a report without actually having to get up then even if I ‘laze’ around for an hour before getting up to make my coffee I can spend that hour doing something productive. When getting to my computer means leaving my bed, work usually starts much later.
3. To Do List and Pen I cannot sleep when things are on my mind and so I keep post-it notes or a small note pad in the bed with me so that as I begin to think about things I need to remember for the next day I can jot them down and keep them close by for when I wake up! This has helped me sleep soundly for years. Its also comes in handy on those occasions when I wake up thinking about something but am too lazy to get out of bed and either do it or record it elsewhere. |
4. Important Items I need for the Next Day
Whenever I know I need to bring something with me that would be easy to forget or not something I normally take with me, I put it in my bed with me. This way when I get up in the morning I see the item(s) and it/they are sure to be taken with me.
Whenever I know I need to bring something with me that would be easy to forget or not something I normally take with me, I put it in my bed with me. This way when I get up in the morning I see the item(s) and it/they are sure to be taken with me.
5. Clothes They may seem mixed up and disorganized but I know what is clean, half-clean, and dirty. These are clothes I took off at night, tried on while picking an outfit, or sometimes that have just come back from being washed. I circulate through the same small wardrobe anyways, why keep it hidden away in a closet? |
6. Tweezers and Pocket Mirror
So, here is a truthful moment. I pluck grey hairs! I pluck maybe six a day it seems and I am way too young to be having grey hairs. So the tweezers and mirror make that easy. I also find though that sometimes it isn’t until I’ve flopped down in my bed I notice things that maybe I was too busy during the day to pay attention to. For example, I remember to finally check out that pimple I’ve pictured all day as being on display to the whole world or I remember that earlier that day I got a sliver in my finger. Different things. When working outside too sometimes I don’t see a mirror all day and bed time is a check in moment to see if I got that sunburn I thought I did or how bad the bugs ravaged me (I tree plant in the spring and summer in Northern Ontario).
So, here is a truthful moment. I pluck grey hairs! I pluck maybe six a day it seems and I am way too young to be having grey hairs. So the tweezers and mirror make that easy. I also find though that sometimes it isn’t until I’ve flopped down in my bed I notice things that maybe I was too busy during the day to pay attention to. For example, I remember to finally check out that pimple I’ve pictured all day as being on display to the whole world or I remember that earlier that day I got a sliver in my finger. Different things. When working outside too sometimes I don’t see a mirror all day and bed time is a check in moment to see if I got that sunburn I thought I did or how bad the bugs ravaged me (I tree plant in the spring and summer in Northern Ontario).
7. Headlamp When I bought my first one 6 years ago I thought I was so lame walking around with it on my head….now I never go anywhere without it! No bedside lamp? No electricity? Don’t want to disturb people sharing your space? Need to pee and don’t want to turn all the bright lights on? Need to find your way outside in the dark? NO PROBLEM! A headlamp is all you need it! |
8. Polysporin
I have never been the person to have a beauty routine, or even beauty products for that matter. I know many people who have a different lotion, cream, ointment, cleanser, and other product for almost every purpose. Often, especially while travelling, I just use polysporin…and only after I’ve already gotten into bed and realized I forgot to do what ever necessary applications I needed to that night. I put it on pimples, hang nails, cuts, sore gums, dry hands, etc.
I have never been the person to have a beauty routine, or even beauty products for that matter. I know many people who have a different lotion, cream, ointment, cleanser, and other product for almost every purpose. Often, especially while travelling, I just use polysporin…and only after I’ve already gotten into bed and realized I forgot to do what ever necessary applications I needed to that night. I put it on pimples, hang nails, cuts, sore gums, dry hands, etc.
9. Water bottle Hydration is key to a happy, healthy life. Keep it handy! 10. Snacks Yes! I admit it but I usually have snacks in my bed. Nothing messy, just granola bars or munchies like peanuts. Occasionally yes, an empty plate or bowl…..but normally just a little something in case I’m working away and feel peck-ish. |
The question may still remain: on or under the covers? The answer…. It depends. It is not out of the ordinary to throw back the covers on my bed and be confronted with this mish-mash of items all tucked away, nor is it to see them all proudly assembled on top, right out in the open.
Also, I realize this seems like I don’t ever leave my bed… or my house. I do though! Don’t worry! This in-bed activity time is in addition to a regular and social life. Up 2 hours early, work from bed, and then off to officially start the day.
Also, I realize this seems like I don’t ever leave my bed… or my house. I do though! Don’t worry! This in-bed activity time is in addition to a regular and social life. Up 2 hours early, work from bed, and then off to officially start the day.