5 Tips For Living With Messy People

Word on the street is we’re either messy people or we’re not. There’s no in between. Well, I beg to differ! I think it’s perfectly fine for someone to be equal parts clean and messy. You can have clothes on the floor in your bedroom but have a perfectly polished kitchen and living room! Or a pile of dishes in the sink but a straight edge bed and vacuumed floor. These are perfectly acceptable lifestyles because HELLO LIFE. So, here are 5 Tips for Living with Messy People!

The real problem we seem to face, whether we’re a total mess, half mess, or not messy at all, is learning how to live with someone who is more messy than us! No matter the mess we seem to have in our own lives, it always feels as though the other “messy person” is… messier. And dealing with it is often times no bueno.

So how do we deal with the different problems that arise because of the messiness without hurting any feelings or pointing blame? It’s a tough game to play, but today I have five tried and true ways to settle any disputes you may have going on at home that can keep your relationships strong and thriving. First, let’s dive into a few areas where you may be seeing problems arise the most.

KITCHEN

The kitchen is somewhere we all love to be. But we don’t love it to be a disaster! Keeping your kitchen clean is important not just for looks and feel but for your overall health too! Besides the bathroom, the kitchen harbors the most bacteria which can spread like wild fire if not cleaned properly.

BEDROOM

When you think of winding down after a long day, you most likely think of the bedroom. You’re able to fall onto your bed and wrap up in your favorite blanket. But then you see four of your husband’s shirts balled up next to you and blankets all on the floor. A messy bed is only one of many things that can take away your anticipated relaxation!

BATHROOM

A bathroom should be a germ-free sanctuary. A place to take care of yourself after a long day. When the bathroom is dirty – towels on the floor, toothpaste in the sink – relaxing is hard to do! Especially when you weren’t the one who made the mess. Maybe you left one towel on the floor after your morning shower, but you were in a hurry and promised to pick it up when you got home.

5 Tips For Living With A Messy Person

#1. BE PRACTICAL!

You might need to lower your expectations here just a bit. If the person you love isn’t used to being a “neat freak” like you wish they would, it’s going to take time for them to make improvements. Don’t give them jobs that are going to be too much to handle and only make them not want to do it more!

#2: CONVERSE!

Do not put this off! The longer you wait the more the steam is going to build. While you’re talking, be calm and collected. This will help them to understand where you’re coming from. You can also come up with a compromise by letting them know if they do this for you, you are more than willing to do something for them and finish with deciding on a reward or incentive!

#3: ASK FOR HELP!

Let them know you need help in this area of your life. Explain to them how living a cleaner life will benefit you both in many ways whether it’s with your health or better sleep at night. Instead of nagging them to clean up more or help you more, try asking how you can help them! It’ll show you care about helping them improve over your own well being.

#4: DEVELOP ROUTINE!

Baby steps. You can’t just throw it all at them at once. Developing a routine will make cleaning seem easy and doable! Try a divide and conquer tactic. That way you’ll both be working together to get the job done. You can also try a tabata routine which means 10 minutes of work, 10 minutes rest. Repeat until finished! Also, designate preferred clutter spots. It’s okay if something has a few piles as long as the rest is tidy and in place.

#5: REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE TOGETHER!

This whole process can be frustrating. That’s why it is crucial to stay patient and continue to remind yourself why you’re together. You didn’t choose to be together simply for their tidiness! Odds are there are a million other reasons you choose to be together ever single day. Try making lists or saying these reasons to yourself out loud or to your partner!

And remember, during this whole thing, always find ways to have a lot of fun!