Matthew McConaughey shared unexpected advice for couples in his latest poetry collection Poems & Prayers, released on September 16, encouraging married partners to consider switching from a king-size to a queen-size bed. Drawing from his experience as a husband and father, McConaughey suggests that a smaller mattress may strengthen marital bonds through closer connection.
McConaughey’s Thoughts on Marriage and Intimacy Through His Poetry
In the poem titled Smaller Beds, McConaughey wrote about the positive impact of downsizing a mattress to improve a marriage. He expressed that one effective way to nurture the relationship is to sleep together in a queen-size bed instead of a larger king-size mattress. This intimate suggestion comes from the actor’s own life with his wife Camila Alves, whom he married in 2012, and their three children: Levi, 17, Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12.
Balancing Priorities: Family, Career, and Faith
Alongside views on marriage, McConaughey shared a reflective piece examining how he manages his multiple roles and responsibilities. He described the key priorities in his life, including health, marriage, family, career, and spirituality, emphasizing the ongoing effort needed to maintain balance.
He wrote,
The measurements of importance in my life are / my health, my family, my marriage, my career, / and my relationship with God. I’m / always having to recalibrate and adjust the / gauges to maintain balance,
Matthew McConaughey, Actor. He highlighted the struggle to ensure none of these areas fall behind, noting that when his career demands too much, his time with family and devotion start to suffer. McConaughey humorously added,
My career’s taking off and taking all my time? Whoops, / relationship with my family and God starts / slipping into the red. My kids and I are each / other’s favorite people and my six pack’s / ripped? Probably need to spend more time / with my wife.
Matthew McConaughey, Actor.
Life’s Continuous Adjustment Compared to Tuning a Car Stereo
To explain how he preserves harmony between his commitments and relationships, McConaughey compared his efforts to maintaining a smooth-running car. He said,
And because I don’t want to / let any of those go too far south, I have to / take inventory, and recalibrate,
Matthew McConaughey, Actor. He further described this process as akin to adjusting old Alpine car stereo equalizers from the 1980s, emphasizing that life requires constant fine-tuning to avoid imbalance.
Remember / those Alpine car stereo equalizers in the / 1980s? Life’s a balancing act and you’ve / gotta keep re-tuning your equalizer to stay / out of the red.
Matthew McConaughey, Actor.
Self-Reflection on Personal Growth Within Relationships
Another poem called Certainly reveals McConaughey’s awareness of moments when selfishness overtakes him, illustrating the complexity of human behavior and the effort to foster understanding in marriage. He wrote,
Out to confront instead of restore, / I’ve been confusing selfish for certain. / Locked behind my dictator’s door, / the insecurity of combat’s curtain. / Always competing for the win, / I need more care and consideration,
Matthew McConaughey, Actor. The actor acknowledged the need to allow space for imperfection and forgiveness.
To make some space for sin to swim, / would be fair in correlation. / I know I’m seldom wrong, / but there’s more than one way to be right. / Others deserve a chance to belong, / especially my wife.
Matthew McConaughey, Actor.
Inspiration Behind Poems & Prayers and Its Deeper Meaning
Before releasing this new collection, McConaughey reflected on the motivations behind his poetry, which followed his 2020 bestselling memoir Greenlights. He described the new book as more than a literary work, calling it a “memory” that invites readers to rediscover lost elements, celebrate ongoing blessings, and let go of burdens that no longer serve.
He explained,
Filled with faith-driven reflections, raw honesty and moments of humor that explore what it means to live, love, and believe, Poems & Prayers is more than a book,
Matthew McConaughey, Actor. He continued,
It’s a memory — a place where we can rediscover what we’ve lost, celebrate what remains and maybe even leave behind what no longer serves us.
Matthew McConaughey, Actor.
Why Choosing a Smaller Mattress May Matter More Than Size
While the suggestion to switch to a queen-size bed may seem practical, it carries symbolic significance in McConaughey’s view. The smaller mattress encourages couples to close physical and emotional distance, fostering intimacy and daily closeness that could strengthen their bond. For McConaughey and Alves, this approach reflects their dedication to maintaining connection amid busy family and professional lives.
By advocating for a “smaller mattress,” McConaughey highlights the larger message of prioritizing what truly matters — presence, attentiveness, and balance in relationships. His poetry offers these insights with genuine vulnerability, portraying marriage as an ongoing process that requires thoughtful effort and recalibration.
