Friday, 11 July 2008

• Cleaning-Up a Relationship

  Today I am taking a break from being “NurseJenna.”  Today I am “Just-Jenna” because I have a day off work.  Or so I thought.  I spend my days at work taking care of other people (and teaching nursing students), so a day off just for me is cherished time, as I know many of you feel the same.   So what did I do on my day of leisure?  I cleaned the kitchen, the bathroom, took out the trash and recycling, and did laundry.  Sad, isn’t it?   I am not going to complain about my life in general because it is fantastic—I travel a lot, eat at amazing restaurants, spend time with friends, see Broadway productions, train for my marathon etc. etc.  But in general, I also work…a lot.

  So…what is your point, Non-Nurse Jenna?  My point is this: I spend a lot of my “free-time” cleaning.  I know, I know—join the club.   This is a big issue in my household.  How messy is tolerable?  My boyfriend and I disagree.  I would by no means say I am a neat-freak; I am tidy.  He, on the other hand, is what I would call a slob, or as my friends say—a typical guy.   What is so frustrating to me is that he is not bothered by the mess, but I am.  So who do you suppose winds up cleaning?  Me!  Why?  Because I’m the only one who cares.  I’ve tried the nagging approach, the nice approach, and even resorted to begging.  Nothing seems to work.  I can say that this is easily the biggest point of contention in our relationship.  I’m frustrated by the mess; he’s frustrated by my frustration.

  Is who-does-what with regard to cleaning a big relationship challenge for other people?  Does anyone else find that your level of concern for the mess is not equal?  What is a girl with dish-water-hands to do?

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