How to Deal with a Neat Freak

If you're not a neat freak yourself, dealing with one can be tough. Here's how to do it and maybe even adapt a few of their better habits.

How to Deal with a Neat Freak Photo by Michael Dolan

Amy Rosenberg, over at Psychology Today, writes that it isn't too difficult to live with a neat freak under a couple of circumstances. First, the neat freak needs to be aware of their exceptional need for order. Also, they need to be aware that they can often be resistent to change. If your neat freak has this awareness, cohabitation can be much easier.

How to Deal with a Neat FreakAssuming you're messier than your neat freak, you're going to need to sit down and negotiate. Realistically, you're not going to live up to the sparkling standards of an anal retentive cleaner, so they're going to have to accept you for you, "faults" and all. That said, you'll need to make an effort as well. Together, make a list of the common problems that excessive drive for neatness causes you and let your neat freak outline the problematic messes that you make. Once you have your list, find ways to compromise. This may mean hiring a housecleaner once in a while, or finding ways you can contain your mess in a specific area that your neat freak can tolerate.

If you're a messier person, living with a neat freak is not necessarily a bad thing because you can use it as an opportunity to learn their better habits. Too much order isn't a good thing, but being messy isn't either. If your neat freak feels you aren't doing a good enough job cleaning, ask them to teach you how to do it more effectively. Just because they're compelled to put in the time to keep everything nice and tidy doesn't mean they want to spend the entire day keeping the house spotless. Chances are that they've learned a few efficient cleaning methods so they can enjoy an orderly household without devoting their entire life to the cause. Learning a few of these tricks can really help you out.

How to Deal with a Neat FreakSetting aside designated cleaning times can also reduce strain on your relationship with your neat freak. By setting aside specific times for you to clean, your neat freak will know exactly when it's going to happen. This should provide relief for both of you, as the neat freak will have an assurance of cleanliness and you won't have to listen to any nagging.

Lastly, you need to realize that neat freaks and messy people suffer from the same problem. You're both perfectionists in your own way. The difference is that the neat freak can't live with failure and the messy person can. For the messy person, the mess is generally just so overwhelming that it's better to do nothing than to try and tackle what seems to be impossible. The neat freak just doesn't see the task as impossible, but rather necessary. Knowing that you're basically coming from the same place should make it much easier to compromise and, ultimately, provide a living environment that satisfies both your needs.

How to Deal with a Neat FreakA Field Guide to the Neat Freak | Psychology Today

Got any great tips on how you've made life livable with a neat freak (or a messy person, for that matter)? Let's hear 'em in the comments!
