Dear Dr. Date,

I think my girlfriend’s earring collection is ruining our relationship. We’ve been dating for three years now and decided to move in together three weeks ago, and for the most part, it’s been alright.

Most of our trouble has been in respecting each others’ space. For example, I think the bathroom counter is a space to be clean or a space for soap; my girlfriend thinks it’s a place for her dangly frog earrings. I think the spice rack is a space for spices; she thinks it’s a place for her ramen packet earrings. I think our apartment is a place where we should both live happily; my girlfriend thinks it’s an extended cabinet for her eclectic items hot-glued onto hooks to stab into her earlobes.

How can I tell her that this is my line in the sand? How do I tell her that I don’t think I can handle looking at one more Skittles wrapper made into jewelry?

Sincerely,
Cut the Crafts

Dear Cut the Crafts,

Compromise is key to any relationship, as I’m sure you know. New living situations can be hard at the best of times, but I’m sure lockdown isn’t helping your situation either. It seems to me like you’re both in the normal stage of becoming accustomed to each other’s habits and routines, which comes with its own associated growing pains.

I don’t think it’s wrong to ask your girlfriend to keep her things where they belong and out of common areas. Respecting each others’ space is one of the most important parts of living together. Cleanliness aside, I think you could also stand to be a bit more patient and creative. Maybe try hanging earrings found in the kitchen on the handles of mugs? Maybe try switching out ramen packet flavors to spice things up, as it were.

Sincerely,
Dr. Date

Are you romantically bewildered? Are you sexually consternated, and is your relationship status a little too complicated? Want advice from the Minnesota Daily’s in-house love doctor? Email Dr. Date at [email protected].