One evening, my roommate casually cleared up the mystery without me even asking. He explained that his girlfriend has a very sensitive nose and uses the clothespin to block out strong scents like soap or shampoo while showering. She leaves it on the showerhead so she won’t forget it next time. What had seemed so strange to me suddenly made perfect sense.

I laughed at myself for overthinking something so simple. This little experience reminded me that we often misunderstand others when we don’t know their reasons. A simple question or a bit of communication can clear up confusion and bring understanding. It taught me to be more open-minded and patient — because sometimes, what seems mysterious is just someone’s way of finding comfort in their own routine.