Sharing an abode with other people can be a unique experience. It’s the first time on your own, when you finally have free reign to make decisions and live life the way you want. Of course, when you’re sharing a space, there are certain considerations to be taken into account. Primarily, that’s a messy, disorganized, or disorderly roommate. It’s an issue that affects people all around the world, and can be a great source of stress and anxiety. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to deal with your untidy roomie in a way that’s productive and respectful.
How To Identify Your Roommate’s Disorganization Or Messiness
If your roommate’s inability or unwillingness to pick up after themselves has become a problem, then the first step that must be taken is to identify where and how their messiness or disorganization is manifesting itself. It may also be beneficial to determine why or what is causing the problem. Is your roommate unable to keep their things in an orderly fashion because there isn’t enough space for them to store all of their items? Or maybe they simply don’t find cleaning and organizing important?
Understanding the source of the issue will help you craft a plan of action to resolve the problem. Here are some signs that your roommate’s state of disorganization has become a problem:
• Items and furniture strewn across the common spaces
• Clutter that has become a tripping hazard
• Items out of place in inappropriate locations
• Odors coming from their living area
• Habitual noncompliance when asked to clean up
Understanding How To Handle A Messy Roommate
Once you’ve identified the source of the problem, it’s time to discuss it with your roommate. It’s important to approach the conversation from a place of understanding, without judgment or hostility. Have a discussion about how the state of their living area affects the rest of the household, and what steps they can take to mitigate the issue.
You’ll also need to put a plan of action in place, while still taking into account your roommate’s time, space, and budgetary constraints. Here are some tips that you can use to help guide the conversation:
• Determine which areas need to be cleaned and how often these tasks will occur
• Agree which spaces are to be shared, and which are off limits
• Discuss what’s appropriate to leave in the shared spaces and what needs to be kept separate
• Help identify and purchase organizational items that could help your roommate store their items
• Establish a weekly or monthly cleaning schedule
• Assign chores, such as taking out the trash, sorting laundry, etc.
• Accommodate special requests, such as quiet times or specific locations for studying
• Create a chore chart or schedule to assist in keeping track of tasks
Incentivize Cleaning Behavior
Make sure that the cleaning tasks and organizational duties don’t become a burden. For example, try creating a rewards system that provides incentives for when your roommate meets their cleaning goals. This can range from a small treat, to buying dinner, or even loaning them a free movie, whichever would be most enticing.
Laying Down Some Rules
When all else fails, it’s time to draw the line. If your roommate continues to be uncooperative or resistant to your attempts to clean up the common area, then you may need to set some house rules. This could be anything from limiting the number of items allowed in common areas, to having a cleaning log to keep track of chores, or even setting cleanliness or organizational boundaries.
Get Help From a Third Party, If Necessary
Nobody likes living in a messy space, and if your roommate refuses to cooperate, it may be time to get some help from a third party. This could be a mutual friend, or even a roommate mediator, who could step in and help the two parties come to an agreement.
The Best Way To Deal With Your Messy Roommate
It’s important to remember that when it comes to dealing with a messy roommate, communication is key. Speak to them calmly and respectfully, and make sure to listen to their concerns and needs as well. Also, make sure to take into consideration their time, budget, and space constraints. And, if all else fails, then seek help from friends or professionals. With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to ensuring a tidy and pleasant cohabitation experience.
