DEAR ABBY: My sister and I grew up with our father after our parents divorced. He was a hoarder. Years later, when he finally had to move out, it took three moving trucks to empty the two-bedroom house. You can imagine what that was like. I am very triggered by clutter. I appreciate an organized home with space to breathe.
My husband of 10 years understands this, theoretically. For a long time, he was on board with a more austere setup. But recently we’ve become more comfortable financially, and he has started collecting things. First, it was comic books; then a pile of vinyl records showed up. More recently, a set of art supplies seems to always be spilling over the counters and tables. He says his acquisitions are well within what is normal.
I know my background makes me overly sensitive about cleaning, but it’s really hard, and I’m stressed out every time I come home to piles of random objects and must move his stuff before I can make dinner. We don’t have space for a “man cave.” I am in counseling, which helps, but not enough. How can we reach a reasonable compromise when I know I might not be reasonable? — TRIGGERED IN ARKANSAS
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
