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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this messy or normal?

268 replies

MessOrNotMess · 29/01/2026 13:56

So the backstory here is that I have learnt to be very, very tidy due to ADHD and fear of overwhelm. I really struggle with clutter.

DH isn't awfully tidy, but equally not particularly messy. He generally works on the principle that if something messy of his is bothering me he'll deal with it as it's no big deal to him, and a stressor to me. So I know if I raise it, he'll 100% just tidy it, no question. He's a good egg.

However, I try very hard to own that this is a me problem and I can't always expect to control my environment and how people around me live. I try not to raise stuff til it's actually messy, rather than just not to my standard of completely clutter free.

This pile of clutter on DH's bedside table has been growing since Christmas. Ideally, I'd have the surface completely clear, nothing on the top at all. I was OK when it was one book, reading glasses and reading light. To me, the pile that's there now looks like a massive pile of clutter, it's bothering me a lot. I am, however, aware that I have a skewed perspective on this.

So, is this an absolute mess and DH should be asked to tidy up (YANBU) or a perfectly normal amount of stuff to have on a bedside table and I need to keep quiet (YABU)?

Is this messy or normal?
OP posts:
Cricketashes · 29/01/2026 22:14

It looks awful to me and would stress me out.

FailMeOnce · 29/01/2026 22:12

saraclara · 29/01/2026 17:46

It's not though. Putting it in a container is controlling, and it's very inconvenient for her DH. If you're lying in bed and need to reach for a book, the last thing you need is to have to sit up, open a container, and dig down for the book that's bound to be at the bottom.

For goodness sake, this is the one tiny space on the house that's 'his' not to worry about. He accommodates OP 's quirk in every other part of the house. He does NOT deserve to have her dictating this bedside table arrangements.

Your mileage may vary. It completely depends on what her husband is happy or not happy with and what works for both of them as a couple. If he feels as you feel then obviously it's not a solution. Assuming he doesn't care either way (and I have no current reason to suppose he does), then everyone's happy.

YorkshireFelix · 29/01/2026 21:53

I think it looks messy and it would annoy me. I am autistic and have a similar way of thinking to you - I cannot function if things are a mess and everything has to be clean and tidy or I get very stressed. DH is the opposite and has the Piles of Doom type ADHD. I try and block it out but occasionally I have to make him sort things, which like your DH, he is happy to do. He just doesn’t ‘see’ mess like I do but I understand that and so does he.

Calliopespa · 29/01/2026 21:33

Dunderheided · 29/01/2026 18:31

Holy fuck

looks around own home, mortified

😂

catspyjamas1 · 29/01/2026 21:08

Dunderheided · 29/01/2026 18:31

Holy fuck

looks around own home, mortified

😂

SquirrelMadness · 29/01/2026 20:36

OuchAndAbout · 29/01/2026 15:46

Maate, I don't know which ADHD fairy blessed you, but congratulations on getting both the standard "tidiness or I can't function" one AND ALSO the much rarer "I have the executive capacity to actually get and keep it tidy" one. Most of us only get the first.

Yes!

Several people have said they would hate their partners to tidy up their stuff - I love it when my partner tidies my stuff. I am incapable of even developing a system, my drawers and desk are chaos. But if someone wants to develop the system and tidy up for me, amazing. I would love to have a little robot who could put things away then get them back out again when I need them. My approach to tidying is to just hide things where they can't be seen or found.

Gwenhwyfar · 29/01/2026 20:24

Fodencat · 29/01/2026 16:44

Well they’d have to be in a storage basket by the bed.

What's the point of that? Won't that look even more untidy and be tripped over?

Evaporateandlisten · 29/01/2026 20:17

I love that you recognise what is going on and know how to deal with it and I love that your Dh is reactive to it.

FWIW, I also need organisation but can’t. That part of me is broken so I admire how hard you must work to keep on top of it.

Pumpkinatmidnight · 29/01/2026 20:10

MessOrNotMess · 29/01/2026 13:56

So the backstory here is that I have learnt to be very, very tidy due to ADHD and fear of overwhelm. I really struggle with clutter.

DH isn't awfully tidy, but equally not particularly messy. He generally works on the principle that if something messy of his is bothering me he'll deal with it as it's no big deal to him, and a stressor to me. So I know if I raise it, he'll 100% just tidy it, no question. He's a good egg.

However, I try very hard to own that this is a me problem and I can't always expect to control my environment and how people around me live. I try not to raise stuff til it's actually messy, rather than just not to my standard of completely clutter free.

This pile of clutter on DH's bedside table has been growing since Christmas. Ideally, I'd have the surface completely clear, nothing on the top at all. I was OK when it was one book, reading glasses and reading light. To me, the pile that's there now looks like a massive pile of clutter, it's bothering me a lot. I am, however, aware that I have a skewed perspective on this.

So, is this an absolute mess and DH should be asked to tidy up (YANBU) or a perfectly normal amount of stuff to have on a bedside table and I need to keep quiet (YABU)?

No wonder the poor man is getting heartburn 😐

KitTea3 · 29/01/2026 20:03

MessOrNotMess · 29/01/2026 13:56

So the backstory here is that I have learnt to be very, very tidy due to ADHD and fear of overwhelm. I really struggle with clutter.

DH isn't awfully tidy, but equally not particularly messy. He generally works on the principle that if something messy of his is bothering me he'll deal with it as it's no big deal to him, and a stressor to me. So I know if I raise it, he'll 100% just tidy it, no question. He's a good egg.

However, I try very hard to own that this is a me problem and I can't always expect to control my environment and how people around me live. I try not to raise stuff til it's actually messy, rather than just not to my standard of completely clutter free.

This pile of clutter on DH's bedside table has been growing since Christmas. Ideally, I'd have the surface completely clear, nothing on the top at all. I was OK when it was one book, reading glasses and reading light. To me, the pile that's there now looks like a massive pile of clutter, it's bothering me a lot. I am, however, aware that I have a skewed perspective on this.

So, is this an absolute mess and DH should be asked to tidy up (YANBU) or a perfectly normal amount of stuff to have on a bedside table and I need to keep quiet (YABU)?

Good lord of you think that's bad......you do not want to see my bedroom as it currently is 😬😳🫠 (I do actually have day off work tomorrow and yes I will be very much forcing myself to sort my shit out! 😫)

Honestly I don't think that's bad at all. I mean I understand if you're very much more the tidy one and clutter stresses you out, my partner is the same, he can't stand stuff looking cluttered (that's going to be an interesting experience when we move in together 😱😂)

Trifletree · 29/01/2026 19:54

I just think everyone has different perspectives on mess. I can see why you think it's messy and I think it's messy but it wouldn't bother me. I'm quite messy. My husband is tidier than me and I'm more tidy because of him because I don't want to annoy him. I've noticed if he goes away for a weekend I'm a lot messier.

Can you get a basket for it? Grouping things into containers helps things feel less messy.

Cyclingmummy1 · 29/01/2026 19:50

If only my side of the bed was this tidy!

Womaninhouse17 · 29/01/2026 19:43

It's his bedside table and it's not even a massive pile. I think it's fair to let him do what he wants in his own space.

Fodencat · 29/01/2026 19:38

KilkennyCats · 29/01/2026 17:12

You couldn’t bear to see a pile of books/magazines on a bedside table?
Are you exaggerating for effect, or do you have issues?

It’s the way it’s “arranged”. If it was tidier or the books were aligned it might be different. I’m very tidy and organised. To me that looks like a dumping ground. Exaggerating for effect? To whom? I’m tidy. That mess wouldn’t suit me. That’s my preserve

Neemi1201 · 29/01/2026 19:24

Would your DH mind if you just straightened it/removed the black plug thing and paracetamol box if it bothers you so much? Or tidied it away? That's what I would do - I love for our bedroom to be a sanctuary and clutter-free, so I end up tidying away DH's dirty clothes, etc. I don't mind as he does so much else around the house - he just seems to have a blind spot when it comes to the bedroom!

Uhghg · 29/01/2026 18:46

I say this kindly OP, the original pike was absolutely fine.
It is DHs home and he can live in the way he wants just as much as you.

I have known a lot of couples who split up because one is controlling/OCD/likes things a certain way and it’s such a shame when otherwise everything is ok,

I would perhaps try and get some help (even just on here or ChatGPT) so it doesn’t become a bigger issue.

PfizerFan · 29/01/2026 18:34

Seriously? You should see my bedside table...

Dunderheided · 29/01/2026 18:31

Holy fuck

looks around own home, mortified

diddl · 29/01/2026 18:20

I'd have to straighten those few books though!

Lucyccfc68 · 29/01/2026 18:19

I don’t have ADHD, OCD or any other ‘D’ but in my house that would be refereed to as a ‘shit tip’. I’m very neat and tidy and that would do my head in.

I am so lucky, I don’t have a DH/partner who I would have to tell to tidy that up and put things away. Life is easier on your own.

I do have a DS and his desk looks like that, but that’s in his own room, so that’s fine. He knows the rest of the house is not allowed to look like a ‘shit tip’.

Btw, OCD is about being tidy or untidy. It’s a serious mental health condition characterised by obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviours or compulsions that are used to reduce stress and anxiety. Please don’t say you are super tidy by saying I’m a little bit OCD’.

StrangerThingsHappenRoundTheTwist · 29/01/2026 18:09

I'm amazed how many people think that instead of a pile, it's much tidy to just chuck stuff in a drawer....

Out of sight doesn't make it tidy

EmeraldDreams73 · 29/01/2026 18:09

Normal - and a hell of a lot better than my dh's absolute disgrace of a bedside table - which is a chest of drawers, so a big surface area which looked lovely till he moved in.

MakeYourOwnSunshine · 29/01/2026 18:02

That is normal verging on tidy - it's a very neat pile. I would take a photo of my bedside table and the surrounding floor to show you what a real mess looks like, but I don't want to distress you.

LegoLivingRoom · 29/01/2026 18:00

Some of you would really freak out if you saw my desk/bedside table.

To me, even the original was tidy. Life is too short to worry about things should go.

Ellieclare · 29/01/2026 17:49

Fodencat · 29/01/2026 14:14

Personally? I couldn’t bear it. It’d have to put away.

Agreed