For many people, getting out of bed early is already a challenge—so the thought of neatly tucking in sheets and fluffing pillows feels like an unnecessary extra step. Some find comfort in the ritual, while others see it as a waste of time.

According to psychologist Leticia Martín Enjuto, even this small choice can reveal surprising insights about our personality, mindset, and daily habits. “Behind the simple act of leaving the bed unmade in the morning lie stories and nuances,” she explains.

Daily Habits Speak Volumes

“Everyone is different,” Enjuto points out, “and our routines say much more about us than we realize.” For her, making—or not making—the bed isn’t about judgment. It’s about understanding what drives us, how we manage our environment, and how we see ourselves.

She highlights seven personality traits often linked to whether someone makes their bed every morning or leaves it in disarray.

1. A Sign of Procrastination

Telling yourself every Sunday night that Monday will be the day you start making your bed again—only to skip it—is common. According to Enjuto, this small act often signals a broader tendency to procrastinate.

If that sounds familiar, her advice is to break tasks into smaller steps. Cleaning one room at a time, with breaks in between, can feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

2. Living with a Flexible Routine

Bed-makers tend to follow fixed routines. Non-bed-makers, on the other hand, usually prefer a looser schedule. They’re often more adaptable and comfortable improvising when life takes an unexpected turn.

“Skipping bed-making often reflects a less rigid approach to order and ritual,” Enjuto notes.

3. Quiet Acts of Rebellion

For some, ignoring the “rule” of making the bed is an act of resistance. Childhood expectations or societal pressures can leave people craving freedom. Leaving the bed unmade becomes a small but symbolic pushback—a way of writing their own rules.

4. Reclaiming Control

The bedroom is one of the most personal spaces in any home. Not making the bed can be a subtle way of asserting independence. It sends the message: “I decide what matters in my space.”

Enjuto sees this as a sign of people who trust their own judgment over external expectations.

5. A Creative Personality

Mess and creativity often go hand in hand. What looks like disorder to some may be the fertile ground for imagination to others.

Those who thrive in a bit of chaos “find inspiration in disorder,” says Enjuto. Their unmade bed may simply be one part of an environment that sparks original thought.

6. Struggles with Motivation

In some cases, an unmade bed can be a warning sign. If neglect extends to other areas of life—dishes piling up, tasks left undone—it may point to low energy, burnout, or even emotional distress.

Enjuto advises that when this pattern appears, it’s important to pay attention to well-being and seek support if needed.

7. Craving Personal Freedom

Finally, skipping the bed-making ritual can symbolize a desire for independence. It’s less about messiness and more about freedom: a refusal to live strictly by society’s unwritten rules.

“It’s a subconscious way of saying you want to live by your own rules,” Enjuto explains.

The Bigger Picture

Whether you make your bed every morning or never bother at all, the choice carries more meaning than it seems. It reflects not just tidiness, but personality traits like creativity, autonomy, flexibility—or even struggles with motivation.

At the end of the day, the bed is yours. Whether you smooth it out or leave it rumpled, what matters most is what that choice means for you.