When I first met my partner, Alex, he resided in a meticulously organized one-bedroom apartment. The pristine environment led me to believe he might be a minimalist. However, I was completely unaware of the storage unit that concealed the truth about his personality.
There were subtle hints pointing to his pack rat tendencies, like a prom mug from 20 years ago filled with an assortment of cheap trade show pens on his desk. I overlooked these signs because I, too, have my own struggles with keeping items. For instance, I have been known to leave tags on clothes I never wear and let scented candles sit in the basement for what seems like an eternity. I get the urge to preserve things, even if it means holding onto a clear protective plastic cover for months.
While I would describe myself as someone with borderline obsessive-compulsive tendencies—keen on maintaining high-quality items—Alex suffers from a different issue entirely: a persistent need to “Save Everything From Your Entire Life Because One Day You Might Need It Disease.”
We have not reached the level of hoarding seen on reality television, but his affection for gadgets leads him to acquire multiples of the same item. At home, we have a shop vacuum, a car vacuum, a handheld vacuum, a robot vacuum, and several other models that have been retired but are kept for parts. In fact, my current vacuum was an impulsive purchase made from an infomercial he watched while traveling, as he thought I would appreciate the numerous attachments.
We also own various air compressors—one for bicycles, another for car tires, and yet another for inflating the air mattress we plan to use for camping someday, once we finally purchase a tent.
His closet is overflowing with V-neck sweaters that he never wears, but they remain because they were gifts from his mother. And let’s talk about wires. I should have anticipated the situation when I glimpsed his high school yearbook, where his senior quote was, “I dream of someday building a supercomputer.” Wires are everywhere! They can be found in overflowing boxes in the home office, crammed into our car glove compartments, stuffed into junk drawers, and stacked high in plastic bins in the garage. These wires have accompanied us through seven relocations, going in and out of storage units, and even traveled with us across the country.
From USB cords to outdated chargers and broken Christmas lights, we have it all. I have made several attempts to declutter, strategically placing unwanted wires on his nightstand or by the sink to prompt a discussion. My household philosophy is simple: “If it doesn’t have a name, it’s fair game—going, going, gone!” But I am consistently met with, “Yes, that’s a D2345699 coaxial cable. It’s useful to keep around.”
While it’s true that Alex tinkers with these items—often climbing into the attic to sort through wires or reconfiguring electronics—I sometimes wish he would part with at least a few of them. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, a new hobby of collecting miniature drones emerged. Transmitters and chargers now occupy nearly every outlet in our home. If one more quadcopter hovers too close for comfort, I might just resort to drastic measures!
And fans? We have every kind imaginable—oscillating, window, box, and table fans are just the tip of the iceberg. It seems the pack rat truly has a penchant for fans.
On the bright side, if an apocalypse ever occurs, we will likely have everything we need to survive—until the power goes out, that is. But bring up the idea of stocking up on generators, and you can be sure Alex will leap into action.
Navigating life with a pack rat can be challenging, but understanding and communication are key. For those interested in family planning and home insemination, exploring resources like this article could provide valuable insights. For more information on home insemination kits, visit Cryobaby, a trusted authority in this area. You can also find excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination at Johns Hopkins Fertility Center.
Summary
Living with a pack rat can be a unique challenge, as clutter often accumulates despite attempts to maintain organization. Understanding your partner’s habits and preferences is crucial to managing shared spaces. Communication and compromise can lead to a more harmonious living environment.