Never Sick? Maybe It's the Messy Bed!

The Curious Case of the Cold-Dodger

So, my friend Carol...she’s one of those people. You know, the ones who seemingly NEVER get sick. Meanwhile, I just look at a petri dish and BAM! Instant sniffles. We were chatting over (decaf!) coffee the other day, and I finally asked her. "Carol," I said, "what IS your secret? You're like a walking, talking immune fortress!"

She just laughed that tinkly laugh of hers and said, "Well, I don't know about a fortress, but maybe it's because I don't stress the small stuff?"

Embrace the Chaos (A Little)

Carol went on to explain that she’s just…relaxed. Not in a meditating-on-a-mountaintop kind of way (though, good for her if she ever tries!), but more like a "eh, it'll work out" kind of way. She doesn't freak out if the house is a little dusty or the laundry piles up. Actually, I think Carol believes ironing is a form of torture. I saw a picture of her art prints for living room hanging a little crooked, I didn't mention anything. I actually thought it was kind of cute.

Me? I used to be a stress monster. Everything had to be perfect. House spotless, schedule meticulously planned. And guess who was always catching every single bug going around? Yep, this girl. My husband calls it "stress-induced susceptibility." I just call it unfair.

Less Germs, More...Art?

Then Carol said something that made me really think. She said, "You know, maybe it's because I surround myself with things that make me happy. I don't worry about having a perfectly curated home, but I do make sure it’s full of things I love."

She was talking about her bright wall art, the little trinkets she's collected over the years, and the way she arranges her furniture so it just feels…cozy. Not picture-perfect-magazine-spread cozy, but real-life-curl-up-with-a-book cozy.

The Power of Happy Spaces

It got me thinking about my own living room. It's…nice. Don't get me wrong. But it's also a little…blah. Everything is coordinated, but it lacks personality. It’s all very safe, and maybe, just maybe, that "safe" feeling was actually stressing me out! It feels like a museum, not a place you want to really *live* in. I had the thought of adding wall art for bedroom. But that isn't where I need it.

So, I decided to take a page out of Carol's book. Or, rather, her slightly-dog-eared, coffee-stained book of life.

First step? I let the dishes sit in the sink overnight. (Okay, maybe two nights. Don't judge!). Second step? I bought a ridiculously bright piece of wall art for living room. I'm talking sunshine-yellow, flamingo-pink, and lime-green all swirled together in a glorious explosion of color. It’s kind of gaudy, to be honest. But it makes me smile every time I see it.

A Little Laughter Goes a Long Way

And here's the thing: I haven't been sick since. Coincidence? Maybe. But I'm choosing to believe it's the art. Or the slightly-less-stressful approach to life. Or maybe it's just the placebo effect of thinking I'm doing something good for myself. Whatever it is, I'm sticking with it.

I even started leaving my bed unmade on purpose. My husband nearly had a heart attack the first time he saw it. He’s a “hospital corners” kind of guy. But I told him it was for my health! He rolled his eyes, but he's starting to come around. Now he throws the pillows on the floor to help!

It’s funny how little changes can make a big difference. A splash of color, a slightly messier house, and a whole lot less worrying. Maybe Carol is onto something. Maybe the secret to never getting sick isn't some fancy superfood or elaborate ritual. Maybe it's just…letting go a little and embracing the joy in the everyday chaos.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a brightly colored canvas to admire and a pile of unfolded laundry to ignore. My immune system depends on it!