I caved… and now my cat sleeps on my bed (help)

I’ve always been a bit of a germophobe. I wash my hands constantly, avoid touching doorknobs in public, and don’t even get me started on the idea of outdoor shoes in the house. So when I got my cat, I made one rule he was not allowed on my bed.

At first, I stuck to it. I had visions of all the things he could be stepping in: the litter box, dust from the floor, maybe even something worse that I don’t want to think about. The idea of all those germs making their way onto my pillow? No way.

But he had other plans.

Every night, he’d sit by my bed, staring at me with those big, guilt-tripping eyes. The purring would start soft, then louder, then full-on motorboat mode. I tried to ignore him, but eventually, he started jumping up anyway, making herself at home.

I’d push him off. he’d jump back up. I’d push him off again. And then, one night, I was too exhausted to fight it. he curled up at my feet, tucked his little paws under her chin, and within minutes, he was fast asleep.

I told myself it was a one-time thing. But now? Now, he has her own side of the bed. He stretches out like he owns the place, leaving me with a tiny sliver of space. And every time I think about what he might have been doing before hopping onto my sheets digging in his litter, stepping on who knows what I get that itchy feeling.

Yet here we are. I’ve lost the battle. My cat sleeps in my bed. And somehow, despite my germophobia, I let him.