This past week I had the pleasure of hearing Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, Co-Founder and CEO of Apartment Therapy, speak at the Alt Design Summit in Salt Lake City. He said something that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. After teaching elementary students for 7 years, he found that his most successful students came from homes that were well cared for.
I have to believe this same principal applies to relationships as well. I think that one could argue that successful relationships likely reside in homes that are well cared for. Think about it – how many fights are caused because someone didn’t hang up a shirt or put away the dishes. Just last week, Vitaliy and I almost got in a quarrel over a missing notebook.
I’m writing this today to hold us accountable. We still have a lot of boxes to unpack and things to organize. Basically, we need some order in our new home. To make an investment in our relationship, we are committing to getting our place unpacked, organized and cleaned up.
I’m not saying that having a clean home defines a good relationship, but I am saying that it can definitely help a relationship. Creating a bit of order on the outside can help gain some order on the inside.
What do you think?
I somewhat agree with Mr. Ryan. But I do believe the way you keep your house, car and purse/wallet are a reflection of who you are. Being a little on the OCD side myself, this can also have a negative reaction. Too much order can be tough on a relationship also.
Totally agree! I cannot function in a disorganized home, office, etc. I think most people do crave order and harmony in their surroundings and in their relationships. A little chaos can be fun, but it’s better as the occasional accent in a life grounded in structure. Sort of like how dessert is so much better after a well-balanced meal. ;-)