Chances are you’re either living with the messy roommate or you are the messy roommate. If you claim that no one in your room is the messy one, it’s probably you. Here’s how to find out if you fall into this category – and if so, how to cover it up (mostly for the sake of the others).
Your clothes are all over the floor and bed.
When you notice you have more clothes on the floor than in the closet, you’re the messy roommate. So, instead, put all your clothes in a pile on your bed to clear up the floor. For extra coverage, pull the covers over the pile. We all know that you don’t make your bed so just pulling the blanket over the top could hide that, too.
Your laundry doesn’t fit in your laundry basket or bag.
Start by pushing your clothes down – don’t let any air in there. If after that, it’s still overflowing, it’s probably time to do laundry. But, you won’t do laundry for another week, so lay a towel over the top or keep your hamper hidden under your desk or in the back of your closet so no one can see how much is actually there.
You find old food in random places.
If it doesn’t smell, what’s the bother, right? Wrong. Food should always be thrown out. No way to cover this one up. However, empty bottles can be stockpiled in the corner of your desk as a “collection” for as long as you need. Just let everyone know you’ve started to collect – maybe even with a post-it note stating, “My temporary Honest Tea collection” to make it even more legit.
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Your recycling is overflowing.
It’s too much work to walk all that recycling to the trash room, so you’re going to sweat out your roommates and hope one of them does it. News flash, they already know that you’re the messy roommate, and they’re testing you. But, we all know you won’t be the one to crack.
Your bathroom counter is covered with products.
You have all sorts of products everywhere, and they’re either spilling, close to spilling, or fully used (they have to stay there because you don’t know how to properly dispose of them without hurting the environment… or you’re just too lazy). Stuff them all in the corner of the counter and claim that part as yours. Side note: I’ve been told that 50 products is an excessive number to have, so maybe cap it at 30.
You have loose papers all over the floor.
I’ve never been able to overcome this one. “Just pretend they’re a fancy new rug,” advises sophomore Kate Olgren.
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