So, I’ve always known that people can have different organizational styles. However, I never thought about the consequences of having two different styles living under the same roof.
Let’s first review my organizational style. I am organized when A.) I have to be and/or B.) when time allows it. I admit that there are times when I don’t have time to fold my laundry. Therefore, it may sit in a laundry basket (or two) for an unspecified period of time. I also don’t always go through my mail in a timely manner. That’s because I only receive junk mail that I have to throw away and bills that I have to file. My files are all the way upstairs. It’s simply too much work.
But, it does get to a point where enough is enough. I get tired of looking at the piles of mail and frustrated when I can’t find my clothes. So, my OCD surfaces and I end up putting things away. When I put my clothes away, I fold them and place each item in its home. I pair socks together and whites go in one drawer, while colored pairs go in the neighboring drawer. When I hang things up, I try to keep items separated. For example, pants go all the way on the right; black and gray are together, and brown and khaki are together. Short sleeves and long sleeves are separated. One time, I even sorted my clothes by color…but only once.
My husband, on the other hand, has a completely different organizational style. He loves the appearance of tidiness. It’s bothersome to him that I leave my flat iron out on the bathroom counter. But, it’s ok to shove lotto tickets and receipts in the bathroom drawers. One time I even found a large glass dish in the study closet.
I guess it’s “out of sight, out of mind”…for most. But, I know what are in those closets and drawers. I know there are bills, expired licenses, laptops, books, candles and medicine shoved in, in a mountain of disarray. And THAT drives me crazy.
So what are my options?
I could continue on complaining and blogging about the matter. Or, I could try a little communication and compromise. I can talk to my husband and explain that I would rather have organized drawers than temporarily messy surfaces. Perhaps he’ll be willing to sit down with me and determine which items can be discarded. He’s actually a pretty willing participator when we’re doing things together (aawww).
I’ll even put my flat iron away…as long as it’s had enough time to cool down.
Lesson five.
