Published: 2021-12-08
How does it feel when the house isn't tidy? Do you feel lethargic? Like you don't feel like doing anything? Well, that's how I always feel when everything is all over the place. When my siblings don't put something back where it belongs, when there are dishes in the sink, when clothes are scattered on the floor it makes me feel stressed and overwhelmed.
My mom says I'm a bit of a neat freak, and maybe she's right. But I can't help it a messy space makes it hard for me to think clearly. When my room is clean and organized, I feel like I can tackle anything. When it's messy, I just want to curl up in bed and avoid everything.
The problem is, not everyone in my family feels the same way. My brother's room is always a disaster zone, and my sister leaves things everywhere. I end up cleaning up after them sometimes, which makes me frustrated. Why should I have to clean up their mess?
My parents have tried to establish rules everyone cleans up after themselves, we take turns doing chores, we have a weekly family cleaning day. But it's hard to get everyone on the same page. Some people just don't see mess the way I do.
I've learned that I can't control how others keep their spaces, but I can control my own. So I keep my room clean, I organize my things, and I try not to let the mess in other parts of the house bother me too much. It's a work in progress, but I'm getting better at it.
At the end of the day, I think having a tidy space is important for mental clarity and peace of mind. But I also understand that different people have different standards, and that's okay. We're all learning to live together and respect each other's needs.