My husband left his shoes in the middle of the living room floor. I saw them last night- they are hard to miss. He’s a tall guy and he wears big shoes. So, instead of tripping over them, I picked them up

and placed them neatly by the door. It was a small act, but one that I hoped would convey my subtle message: please be more mindful of where you leave your things.

But as the days passed, I found myself repeatedly encountering his shoes scattered around the house. Sometimes they were by the couch, other times in the kitchen, and once even in the bathroom. Each time, I would sigh in exasperation and return them to their designated spot by the door.

I tried to bring it up casually, hoping he would catch on to my hints, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. He would nod absentmindedly, promising to be more careful, but the cycle would inevitably repeat itself.