Pick Your Battles

Unless you live alone, you'll have to compromise at some time in your life in order to save your sanity. I used to be "highly interested, but not obsessed" (that's my story and I'm sticking with it) in the way the bathroom was organized and maintained. The hand mirror had to face a certain way, the toilet paper had to hang over, not under, you know-particular. Hey don't judge. Oprah likes it that way too and devoted part of her show to that very issue (the toilet paper in the bathroom issue). I'm sure this is a heated discussion in many American households too (probably not). I would become slightly "agitated" if the toilet paper roll was left empty and no one bothered to change it or if liquid soap was not refilled or replaced and if the lights were left on, but no one was in the room. Then one day I decided that it was not worth the battle and the agitation and stress, so I let it go (sort of). The point here is not really about the organization of the bathroom, but really about how we allow things to interfere with our greatest living. Am I saying that you should not speak up about things that bother you? Certainly not!! What I am saying is that you should pick your battles to reduce your stress. After all, in all likelihood, you're the only one whose blood pressure is rising as the others go about their daily (albeit disorganized) lives. Sure, occasionally I still "gently" mention that the toilet paper should be replaced when it's gone and lights should be turned off when leaving the room, but mostly I simply do those things myself and move on. It's the battle I don't want to fight anymore and that releases me to do other things.

Dr. D. Clutter™