I am a space hog! I didn’t even realize it. In fact, I would have argued against this. But there is no denying it. As I was showering a couple days ago (gotta do this every once in a while), I noticed that I use three quarters of the shelf in the shower. We have one shelf that runs along the back of the shower. I have three sets of shampoo and conditioner (different brands because I never know what I may need that day), an extra conditioner (why not), a soap tray (we are still old school bar of soap people), my favorite body butter, and a cup that holds various items, including but not limited to two razors (trying different brands) and two foot files (I have many foot needs). Travis has one bottle of shampoo, one razor, and one soap tray. I am embarrassed by my space needs. I’d like to rectify the situation, but in my mind, I need all those things in my shower.

This caused me to look around at the other areas in our bedroom and bathroom to see if I am a consistent space hog. The bathroom linen closet is mostly mine. And really, why do we call that the linen closet? The top shelf has towels. That’s the closest thing to linens in that closet. There are neutral spaces in this closet. The bottom holds cat food (although Travis is not a fan of the cats, so he would argue that that space is mine. He even recently said a cold he had caught was actually an allergy to the cats. We have had them for three years.), toilet paper, a humidifier, a nebulizer, and a few other super random things that will probably never leave. The rest of that closet is mine. Yup. Make up, nail polish, medicines, lotions (oh, so many lotions), travel items, etc. Travis has a couple extra bottles of the shampoo that is in the shower and some extra bars of soap. That’s it.

So, I move on. Certainly, I have divided the walk-in more evenly. This is mostly true, but if there is extra space that went unclaimed, I claimed it. Like a small section of the top of the closet was empty: not anymore. Under two shelving units: mine. A space under the combined long hanging section has been filled with my tall boots. The actual shoe shelf wall is evenly divided. Travis has just as many shoes as I do, although he really only ever wears his boots. So, the closet is closer, but I edge him out.

The dressers look pretty even. And they are. Who cares if my drawers barely close and his move freely? We have the same assigned space. Oh, but I have stuff under the bed, and he doesn’t. Well, he does, but it’s mostly old medical books and framed certificates that he doesn’t want on a wall. I probably should have moved them to the storage room, but now they are safely tucked under the bed, so who cares. I have formal shoes, some random paperwork, and who knows what else under there. I can’t even reach most of it, so it doesn’t really count.

I am a little disappointed in myself. I always thought of myself as a lower maintenance wife. Not exactly low maintenance, but lower maintenance. That means lower than I could get away with without being exactly low maintenance. Maybe I am wrong. I am a space hog in our personal space. And as I look at things, I don’t really want to get rid of stuff. And I don’t really have the time to do it now anyway. So, without officially changing my maintenance status, I will just add the space hog designation: lower maintenance, but a space hog. Accept the things I cannot change.