The prosecution Becky
At first I loved all the free stuff, but the novelty has worn off and now our flat is like a junkyard
I live in a flat with two friends, Nazneen and Polly. We’ve been quite content for four years but Nazneen’s career as an influencer has recently taken off and the flat has become super messy.
Nazneen works as a stylist but is an influencer on the side. Living with her definitely has its perks. There’s never any shortage of things to do, as she always gets a plus-one to product launches, music events and fashion parties. I also benefit from some of the free stuff she is sent. She gets clothes, makeup, trainers and random food packages all the time.
At first I loved the freebies, but the novelty is now wearing off. Nazneen is really bad at throwing things out and our tiny flat is cluttered with random stuff.
We have an open-plan kitchen/living room that now functions as a dumping ground. Nazneen leaves a lot of her rejected items there. It’s a tip, with bits of plastic and wrapping all over the countertop and things no one wants just sitting there. Nazneen’s room is a bomb-site: she has clothes racks buckling with unworn items, and shoes and packages that have never been unboxed poking out from under the bed. You can’t see the floor.
Nazneen says, “Oh I’ll go through the old packages later”, but things pile up. She does donate things to charity shops but she needs to do it more often.
Sometimes Polly and I are told to go and help ourselves to things, which is nice, but on occasion Nazneen will take items back as she forgets what she’s told us. One time she invited both Polly and me to a film premiere but she only had one extra ticket. It was awkward but I let Polly go.
Another time I took a jewellery set she hadn’t wanted, only for her to reclaim it when she realised she needed to produce content of her wearing it. I thought: keep track of your things and don’t say I can have something if I can’t.
Nazneen needs to tidy up the clutter. She doesn’t mean it, but her disorganisation is impacting the rest of us in the flatshare.
The defence Nazneen
When you have so much stuff coming in, it’s really hard to keep track of everything
I’m really lucky to work as an influencer as a side gig. I make videos on YouTube and TikTok about finding your unique fashion style and being a young creative.
I like living with my friends and I think they appreciate the upsides of my job. I’ve even tried to get some of them into it, as the money is good, but they’ve admitted that influencing is more difficult than it looks. People think influencers don’t work hard, but you need to be really assertive when it comes to dealing with businesses.
I get sent a lot of stuff now and it’s great, but I do accept that the flat can be a bit of a tip as a result. I try to keep track of everything, but it’s hard due to my unpredictable work hours. In my day job as a stylist I could be on a shoot for five days then have nothing for the rest of the month. And for my influencer work I get sent everything from trainers to designer bags to posh candles. I probably get three packages a week, sometimes more. The more I put myself out there, the more stuff arrives.
I film content with some of it, or give shoutouts to brands. I also give stuff to the girls whenever I can. After I’ve decided what I need, Polly and Becky get first dibs on everything else – I’ll leave that in the kitchen. Then I keep stuff for other friends and family – or I intend to, at least. I think, “Oh, so-and-so will love this” and plan on regifting it, but often I don’t get around to it and that point never comes.
I’ve turned to the girls for help sorting things out before and they didn’t mind, but I know it’s a big ask. Right now there are clothes and accessories sitting half-opened on our countertop and chairs. I know Becky gets annoyed when I’ve forgotten what goes where. Once, I took back a set of bracelets I’d given her as I needed to film them, but it wasn’t deliberate. I just forgot. When you have so much stuff coming in, it’s really hard to keep on top of it all.
I hate chucking things out. I always think I can find a home for everything I get. And I obviously don’t ever want brands to stop sending me things – that would be harmful for my career.
The jury of Guardian readers
Should Nazneen tidy up the flat and find a home for all her freebies?
Nazneen needs to take responsibility and be better organised. It’s not fair on Becky and Polly to live in a house full of clutter, regardless of the occasional gift or outing they might get from it.
Matthew, 25
Nazneen is guilty. I’m sure her career as an influencer is hard work but, as she says herself, her job as a stylist leaves her with plenty time off, which she could use to clear up the flat.
Ella, 22
Even Nazneen seems to agree that she should be tidier, and her unpredictable hours aren’t really an excuse. If her flatmates want to help her sort things in return for first pick of the goodies that’s up to them, but unless they’ve agreed on that, it’s her responsibility.
John, 38
Nazneen should sell some of the unwanted freebies online and use the money to hire a professional wardrobe organiser and buy some space-saving storage units to put stuff into.
Naomi, 29
Respecting communal spaces is crucial for shared living. Giving Becky and Polly a few freebies is one way to reduce clutter and waste; but it is Nazneen’s responsibility to find an appropriate home for everything else she receives. If she can’t do that, she should find a more manageable job.
Nick, 38
You be the judge
So now you can be the judge. In our online poll below, tell us: should Nazneen tidy up her freebies?
The poll will close on Thursday 22 September at 9am BST
Last week’s result
We asked if Luke should have to tell his girlfriend Raye every detail about his friend’s stag do.
51% of you said yes – Raye is innocent
49% of you said no – Raye is guilty
