The Simple Things

Taking time to live well
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Taking Time to Live Well

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Illustration: Kavel Rafferty

Illustration: Kavel Rafferty

Stories behind superstitions | The wrong side of the bed

Lottie Storey October 8, 2018

Why do we talk about the wrong side of the bed? There are sinister reasons underfoot

Having a bad day? It’s not because of that massive delay on your way into work or forgetting that appointment. No, it’s obviously because you got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning. These days, we don’t tend to have a specific side in mind, but in earlier times, the wrong side specifically meant the left. The Latin adjective sinister originally meant ‘left’ but later took on meanings of both evil and unlucky: inn-keepers were said to push beds against walls to prevent their guests being able to get out of anything but the ‘right’ side.

Thankfully modern surveys trump Roman superstition. Over the past decade we’ve not only found that those who get out on the left side each day are likely to have more friends and to enjoy their jobs, but they are also more likely to be in a better mood than those who instead choose the right-hand side.

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More from the October issue:

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Dec 21, 2020
It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness
Dec 21, 2020
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May 9, 2020
Cook | hazelnut pesto and gnocchi with fennel
May 9, 2020
May 9, 2020
the simple things gift subscription.png
Oct 23, 2018
Christmas gift subscription offer
Oct 23, 2018

Christmas gift subscription offer from The Simple Things magazine. Treat friends and family to a gift subscription this Christmas and we'll do the wrapping and sending for you. Just £44 – saving 26%* on the usual cover price.

Oct 23, 2018

More superstitions:

Featured
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Jul 14, 2019
When St Swithin met Billy Bragg
Jul 14, 2019
Jul 14, 2019
SIM76.MISCELLANY_Bed.png
Oct 8, 2018
Stories behind superstitions | The wrong side of the bed
Oct 8, 2018
Oct 8, 2018
new shoes.png
Sep 10, 2018
Stories behind superstitions | New shoes
Sep 10, 2018
Sep 10, 2018
InMiscellany Tagssuperstitions, miscellany, issue 76, october
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  Buy ,  download  or  subscribe   See the sample of our latest issue  here   Buy a copy of our latest anthology:  A Year of Celebrations   Buy a copy of  Flourish 2 , our wellbeing bookazine  Listen to  our podcast  - Small Ways to Live Well
Feb 27, 2025
Feb 27, 2025

Buy, download or subscribe

See the sample of our latest issue here

Buy a copy of our latest anthology: A Year of Celebrations

Buy a copy of Flourish 2, our wellbeing bookazine

Listen to our podcast - Small Ways to Live Well

Feb 27, 2025
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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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