View Full Version : A little OCD
I am a bit OCD, I know exactly how many small binder clips fit into its space in my desk drawer. Everything in my office has it's place - I take pride in telling someone exactly where to go to get a file, supplies, etc. I enjoy that part of my mild OCD. I won't even begin to try and explain the process it takes for me to leave my office. :|(
There are two tasks that I have great difficulty doing. One is painting. I am not good at painting. The need for perfection with the job paralyzes me. I would rather live with the need to paint then attempt the job and have my failures stare at me.
The second task is washing windows. No matter how much I try - there always seem to be some streaks. We have the old style storm windows - that has one pane that has to come out. One window has like 8 panes to wash. Today I gave myself permission to accept the fact that there may be some streaks, but the end result will be so much better than where I started. The pressure was off. There were many trips back and forth inside and outside to check it out, but once it was done, I sealed it up and accepted the jobs as is. phew.
Not sure why I put myself though the anxiety of such stupid tasks. *sigh*, nevertheless I was able to cross that one off my list. ;)
I have the same problem with windows getting completely clean.
Does your OCD mainly impact you? I ask because I have two people in my life whose OCD spills out onto those around them. One is my de facto supervisor. My manager had her write my annual review and she marked me down for neatness. The other day she spent two hours removing staples and restapling documents that looked to me like they were stapled fine. This is the level of detail she focuses on.
The other is my son. Currently he is mad and not speaking to me because he is obsessed with neighbors whose dogs might poop in our yard and they don't pick it up. For a year now I agreed we could leave certain blinds open at night so he could look outside quickly if he hears someone coming by. He was supposed to pick out a security camera but that hasn't happened. It takes him literally years to do things since he feels the need to explore every option on the internet before making a decision. Neither of us like lights on at night with the blinds open as anyone walking by can see you so I was stumbling about in the dusk the other day and sprained my ankle and said Enough, the blinds are being closed from now on (except he can do what he wants in his room). Now I don't care about him and his illness. This is a pattern with him, we get along great or not at all, there is no middle ground.
So if you can keep your OCD from affecting other people in a negative way good for you.
ETA also good if you can keep it from impacting yourself to the degree you need to seek hospitalization, etc.
Teacher Terry
10-6-20, 9:30am
Depending on the severity medication and/or cognitive behavioral therapy works great with this disorder. If not severe CBT alone has changed people’s lives.
catherine
10-6-20, 10:11am
Greg, I am not OCD, but I AM in the "paralysis by analysis" camp which yields the same outcome you described with the painting at least. I have a whole drawer full of color swatches. I know the LRV of dozens of shades across Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, and Valspar paints. I have 3 Pinterest boards devoted to color schemes. And yet, for three years I have been unable to put a paint brush to any walls, ceilings or trims.
As for the window streaking, yes, I do relate to that. Again, it's not an OCD thought process, but it's a perfectionist tendency for sure. To get me over the hump, sometimes I have mantras I use: like "Progress--not perfection." And then there is one I use all the time that I learned from a project manager who was a real do-er and VERY valuable to me. She would always say, "Push it forward. Push it forward." In other words, do one small thing that will advance the project, rather than sit and ruminate about the best way to do it and worrying about failing.
But LOL on the binder clips!
I can relate to the analysis by paralysis to some extent so will wait until I have researched in depth before making a decision. Too much choice often means that I don't choose as it may not be the right choice..
I had a list of 15 major priorities before I looked for a house with a realtor. Streaks when cleaning windows drive me nuts. I have to get them taken care of. Is it OCD or efficiency or perfection?
I have a schedule planned for the year - change tires from warm season to snow and back, clean the air exchanger, change water filter, softener salt delivery, service the gas furnace, etc. I call this my team playbook. Anything involving another is scheduled for the year in my plan. I have a struggle when another attempts to make plans for me.
After that is taken care of, I am free to follow the schedule that I create for myself. I am finding it quite interesting to discover that the covid 'reset', as I call it, has forced or enabled me to ease up the self-scheduling and increased spontaneity. I think that is why I am enjoying life despite the changes that have resulted
I read an interesting article that the Japanese have a very strict approach to any activity to remove the possibility of error. There is an extensive check list that must be reviewed for any shift change, they can assume nothing. It has increased their efficiency in so many ways. This is one article that sort of explains it. https://www.rediff.com/money/2007/jan/16japan.htm
iris lilies
10-6-20, 11:40am
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I read an interesting article that the Japanese have a very strict approach to any activity to remove the possibility of error. There is an extensive check list that must be reviewed for any shift change, they can assume nothing. It has increased their efficiency in so many ways. This is one article that sort of explains it. https://www.rediff.com/money/2007/jan/16japan.htm
Interesting article. I like imagining that well ordered world.
as far as paint colors – one of the downsides of living in an unfinished house as I did for 20 years is that there’s really no impetus to make a color selection for the entire house. In the early days I chose a light gray with white trim and it was pretty and it was of course only in a few of the rooms that were finished. By the time we got around to finishing the living room /dining area, my tastes changed and I went for greens, warm greens.
But now that light gray is back in style, any gray is in. But I wouldn’t do gray because it’s too common, yet I am attracted to the crispness of it.
Jane v2.0
10-6-20, 12:06pm
We all have quirks, and it annoys me that now they all have to be labeled and scrutinized. If they're crippling, one can seek help, of course.
As far as the paint and windows--or any similar task that vexes you--there are professionals you can hire.
Me, I'm subject to "impossible task" syndrome where I build up some (often mildly) unpleasant job until it looms like the Blob. I keep putting it off and putting it off until the last possible minute. A more together person would just do it and get it over with. I've found that completing a step at a time is helpful in such situations.
Teacher Terry
10-6-20, 12:21pm
OCD is only a problem when it’s interfering with daily life. Milder versions are merely something to work around.
I have the same problem with windows getting completely clean.
The other day she spent two hours removing staples and restapling documents that looked to me like they were stapled fine. This is the level of detail she focuses on.
Oh, man - I do re-staple things that come across my desk where people have willy nilly stapled them together. :|(
Use Norwex cloths and water to wash windows. no streaks. Pricey, but they work. https://shopus.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/shop/product-detail/1505
Also in the paralysis by analysis camp. A motto that I find comforting, though I don't know if it has been particularly effective, is: Perfection is the Enemy of Done.
Also in the paralysis by analysis camp. A motto that I find comforting, though I don't know if it has been particularly effective, is: Perfection is the Enemy of Done.
Agree. When I had my organizing business, I'd tell people done is better than perfect.
early morning
10-7-20, 5:57pm
Also in the paralysis by analysis camp. A motto that I find comforting, though I don't know if it has been particularly effective, is: Perfection is the Enemy of Done. I too over-analyze and plan. If I did more DOING and less PLANNING to do, I'd be in much better shape, lol. I like the motto, Geila!
Teacher Terry
10-7-20, 5:59pm
Luckily I never get stuck in the planning phase. I like things done.
early morning
10-8-20, 1:25pm
I need to be more like you, TT. I am soooo constrained by opportunity cost. Once I've decided, all I can think of is all those other options that are now closed to me. ARG!
Teacher Terry
10-8-20, 1:43pm
My sister gets stuck too and I have never understood it.
iris lilies
10-8-20, 2:02pm
I need to be more like you, TT. I am soooo constrained by opportunity cost. Once I've decided, all I can think of is all those other options that are now closed to me. ARG!
Fortunately, I can accept that there are several equally good choices in life for the same issue. I can choose path A and still look at Path B as having some good parts to it and I miss those good parts, but I am content with Path A.
Except when it comes to kitchen cabinets, countertops and tile. Right now. Ha Hah Hah Hah Hah! I’m in a swirling quandary of choices. White kitchen? Blue kitchen? Blue marble? White marble?
I'm not OCD, I just kinda don't care enough. If I make a decision it is DONE! Forever. We've had this house nearly 30 years. Always hated the dining room light fixture. We'd look at Home Depot or a lighting shop now and then.....I last maybe 5 minutes? I saw one online in April. Hub said sure. It's hanging there. DONE! Forever.
I'd be happy to have someone come replace the flooring for me. I don't analyze. I just don't care enough to choose.......
Teacher Terry
10-9-20, 1:58am
G, that’s probably why you don’t get sick of your pictures:)). I am fussy about my home and love to pick stuff out. Of course once you buy expensive things like flooring, cupboards, etc you better love it because it’s not getting replaced. I worked with someone that replaced her bedroom curtains and comforter every year or two for the newest styles. I always thought that was such a huge waste.
frugal-one
10-9-20, 5:33am
I'm not OCD, I just kinda don't care enough. If I make a decision it is DONE! Forever. We've had this house nearly 30 years. Always hated the dining room light fixture. We'd look at Home Depot or a lighting shop now and then.....I last maybe 5 minutes? I saw one online in April. Hub said sure. It's hanging there. DONE! Forever.
I'd be happy to have someone come replace the flooring for me. I don't analyze. I just don't care enough to choose.......
Same here. DH said “we” should change a decoration. I said, “sure, go ahead”. The same is still there. IMO It takes too much time to figure out what is “perfect” for decorations. I don’t care enough to keep changing. Evidently he doesn’t either???
I worked with someone who also continually changed her bedroom. She had 20 bed covering sets on the top shelf of her walk in closet. To me ... what a waste of money. Here we have one for summer and one for winter. Everything in the room matches for both... nothing else is changed.
I kind of live the use it up, wear it out, make do or do without kind of life.
I am paralyzed by too many options as well. My hubby knows this. He secretly worked with a furniture maker to design and build our kitchen, and gifted it to me as a done deal. I was only left to pick granite countertops He went to the granite place and had them move three slabs to the front for my review. Easiest remodel ever.
Fortunately, I can accept that there are several equally good choices in life for the same issue. I can choose path A and still look at Path B as having some good parts to it and I miss those good parts, but I am content with Path A.
Except when it comes to kitchen cabinets, countertops and tile. Right now. Ha Hah Hah Hah Hah! I’m in a swirling quandary of choices. White kitchen? Blue kitchen? Blue marble? White marble?
Oh. I love blue and white together! My kitchen towels are blue and white and so are my Corelle dishes.
I worked with someone who also continually changed her bedroom. She had 20 bed covering sets on the top shelf of her walk in closet. To me ... what a waste of money. Here we have one for summer and one for winter. Everything in the room matches for both... nothing else is changed.
I really could not be in constant change mode, given my difficulty with decisions. Once I've decided, I'm done.
My MIL's house looked exactly the same for decades. Same curtains, same furniture, same knick-knacks in the same place. She did swap out furniture or carpet that was worn out, but that happened very infrequently. One of her friends asked her, "Don't you get sick of the same colors?" And she simply said no. Her house could have been used as a set for a 50s show. But it was sparkling clean and polished and so homey. She liked her things, but also, she was extremely frugal.
Cath, I love hearing the little insights that you share about your MIL. Sounds like a remarkable woman!
That many sets of bedding? Wow.
Cath, I like hearing about your MIL as well. I’ve had the same couch since 2005 or so. It got a navy slipcover 12 years ago to match the chair from IKEA I bought when I moved into the current place.
I don’t bother with decorative bedding. It’s just me and it’s rare I have people over. I don’t even make my bed. :D
SteveinMN
10-9-20, 11:34am
I'm not OCD, I just kinda don't care enough.
That's DW's stance. I may have relayed this anecdote before, but before we married DW remodeled her home extensively. She made the big decisions (layout, fireplace/no fireplace, oak kitchen cabinets, etc.) but when it came to "minutiae" like flooring and cabinet pulls, she told the contractor to decide.
otoh I care much more about what stuff looks like. I probably looked at cabinet pulls for the kitchen (well before DW moved in) for maybe 4-6 weeks. Not full-time, of course, but I was looking for something fairly specific. I found it (on ebay of all places). No buyer's remorse at all.
My first BF was OCD about how his home looked, always getting new bedding, new furniture, you name it. Not too long after we started dating, nearly 30 years ago, he commented that I should get adult dishes. I was still using the random garage sale stuff mom had got me when I went off the meal plan my third year at college. I agreed and we went to the Pfalzgraff outlet store in Bucks County, PA. Within 10-15 minutes I'd picked out a pattern, decided how many plates, bowls, etc I needed (and had room for in my tiny NYC apartment), and we set about looking through the seconds to find the least blemished ones. Twenty minutes later we were at the checkout. He had expected this to be an all morning project. Since we had the rest of the morning free we went to the craft fair/flea market where I picked up a basic black leather belt to wear with my jeans that I still use to this day. When I met current SO 16 years ago it turned out that he had the exact same pattern of dishes! That made moving in together a couple years later really easy. We still use some of those dishes, although we got rid of most, except the rimmed soup bowls and pasta bowls, when I inherited my mother's collection of Franciscan Starburst pattern dishes. SO has added to that collection and we will likely use them for the rest of our lives because they are super cute.
3453
What a funny story! Love the starburst pattern!
That is a GREAT story, jp!!What a coincidence! What better sign that you're meant to be together??
My SIL, a mid-century modern fanatic, would salivate over that starburst pattern. On a similar vein, that same SIL happened to find some old Corelle ware at a garage sale, and it happened to be my MILs old pattern. My DD insisted they use it at their wedding. We had to supplement 4 plates out of 24 with a slightly different pattern, but it was all Corelle. I warned them in advance that this dinnerware is not considered very "luxe"--and a caterer might refuse to plate on it--but they used it and it was beautiful, set against the live-edge tables that my SIL's dad made from $5 slabs picked up on the side of the road, and beautiful linen napkins sewn and engraved with individual names to be used as both name "cards" and wedding favors. It's so much fun to have young designers in the family.
Except when it comes to kitchen cabinets, countertops and tile. Right now. Ha Hah Hah Hah Hah! I’m in a swirling quandary of choices. White kitchen? Blue kitchen? Blue marble? White marble?
Here you go. Maybe this will help. Although I do not like many of these colors. Pistachio? Blech...
https://www.thekitchn.com/features/kitchen-color-trends-sherwinwilliams?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=sherwinwilliams&fbclid=IwAR0CFy38u8v9zG4VCHD9s4JMkW6ydb-G57jb11M6L3xEe4Ino281mq_1ISs
Here you go. Maybe this will help. Although I do not like many of these colors. Pistachio? Blech...
https://www.thekitchn.com/features/kitchen-color-trends-sherwinwilliams?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=sherwinwilliams&fbclid=IwAR0CFy38u8v9zG4VCHD9s4JMkW6ydb-G57jb11M6L3xEe4Ino281mq_1ISs
I'm loving that navy blue kitchen.
rosarugosa
10-9-20, 5:50pm
I will research extensively to find exactly what I want once I have a "vision" in my head, but once I find it I will usually be good with it forever. I'm also a very big fan of blue & white. Those are the colors in our bedroom and bathroom and presumably our kitchen, although that doesn't exactly have a color scheme right now. But my dishes and dishtowels and such are blue and white, and hopefully one day we will make it happen.
I like the mix and match effect, so I don't have a single set of dishes or bed linens, but rather a variety of things that all play nicely together.
Wow, that is interesting to see the trending colours. I would be exhausted living with some of the strong colours. Does anyone choose these strong colours? How often are they changed?
I really like a pale taupe/grey for the living area and kitchen and very light grey with white wood trim elsewhere which is serene. I did like the light oak kitchen cabinets in our custom farm house.
Teacher Terry
10-10-20, 1:41am
I prefer one or two accent walls which you can change instead of some of those kitchens with very bright painted cabinets.
Jane v2.0
10-10-20, 10:31am
I didn't see anything labeled pistachio, but I like that color family--chartreuse, celery, celedon. I liked Napery and Barcelona beige, but few of the other colors, featured. Maybe Juneberry--that's another family I like--I visited an open house once that had a gorgeous dining room in some variation of that intense hue. I grew up in houses featuring shades of coral wallpaper, and I find myself returning to that.
catherine
10-10-20, 10:36am
I didn't see anything labeled pistachio, but I like that color family--chartreuse, celery, celedon.
I named it pistachio--that's what it reminded me of. It's the top row, middle kitchen. I'm not against green--it's my favorite color, and my cabinets are "wasabi"--exactly the same yellow-green you would expect and I love them. Some of the colors in that article are TOO strong for me, however. OTOH, I am not a pastel person.
Darn it, Catherine, your comments about Corelle have gotten me looking at old Corelle patterns and then, inevitably, buying more old china. I'm obsessed now:
https://images.replacements.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://images.replacements.com/images/images1/china/C/P0000016754S0001T1.jpg
It was only made from 1979-82, which happens to be a period of china that really grabs me. So adding it to my Midwinter pieces and my jadeite plates.
catherine
10-10-20, 12:13pm
That is an awesome pattern!!
Here is my MILs old pattern: https://www.vintagecorelle.com/vintage-corelle-1970s/corelle-livingware-spring-blossom-green.html
frugal-one
10-10-20, 3:58pm
I use the Summer Blossom pattern. Looked up and made from 1986 to 1992. A number of years ago at a yard sale I added more bowls and plates for $0.10 each. I still like the pattern. They are used every day. Obviously, it is one more of those things I don’t care about replacing.
That is an awesome pattern!!
Here is my MILs old pattern: https://www.vintagecorelle.com/vintage-corelle-1970s/corelle-livingware-spring-blossom-green.html
Nooooooo! I grew up with that pattern. It was mom’s birthday present in 1974 or so. Another relative had it in gold.
Nooooooo! I grew up with that pattern. It was mom’s birthday present in 1974 or so. Another relative had it in gold.
It is really iconic! Frugal, you are super lucky you found those bowls for a dime!
The bowls for this pattern have a brown stripe but I am thinking of using these with them--they are made of recycled maple shavings, from Vermont:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71VZM8A5UnL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
My mother loved the Corelle dishes. She had at least 3 sets over her later years buying a new set every time a new pattern caught her interest. The price was affordable and they gave her great joy. I think that earlier china had always been fragile and requiring great care and chipping easily. She loved her dishwasher so the Corelle washed well and had lovely patterns. Another lovely trip down memory lane....
Vintage designs are fun to search for, find and add to one's collection. I got tired of my current flatware which was pricey originally but tiny little spots of rust were appearing especially in the knives. I had an old set of 1810 Rogers Oneida that was missing some pieces that had been a wedding gift. I didn't know the name of the design so went looking and ended up at the vintage designs on E-bay. I found the pattern and completed my set with ample surplus pieces. I still love the Surf Maid pattern and the quality is worth it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oneida-1881-Rogers-Stainless-Steel-SURF-MAID-CABANA-Lot-of-2-Teaspoons/163579239316?_trkparms=aid%3D555021%26algo%3DPL.SI MRVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190711100440%26meid%3D6e8f 75f5b0ef4852a7cbeabefabd45dc%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3 D2%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D363131302552%26i tm%3D163579239316%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D20476 75%26algv%3DSimplRVIAMLv5WebWithPLRVIOnTopCombiner&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982
iris lilies
10-11-20, 8:26am
Here you go. Maybe this will help. Although I do not like many of these colors. Pistachio? Blech...
https://www.thekitchn.com/features/kitchen-color-trends-sherwinwilliams?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=sherwinwilliams&fbclid=IwAR0CFy38u8v9zG4VCHD9s4JMkW6ydb-G57jb11M6L3xEe4Ino281mq_1ISs
I’m settling on kitchen cabinets being a light blue, very similar to the light blue in the lower right corner of these illustrations.
I like the idea of navy even though it’s a bit trendy. But my tiny kitchen has no window and so it’s already quite dark.
I guess I will use gray =white stone on counter and backsplash, either marble or quartzite. Haven’t decided for sure. There was a light blue marble that was in the mix of consideration and I have not entirely eliminated that one. I need to see it in better light so I’m gonna take a flashlight with me to the show room next time.
catherine
10-11-20, 9:38am
Tybee those evobowls are awesome and they meld perfectly with the Corelle!
IL, if you talking about the periwinkle blue, I love that color!!
Jane v2.0
10-11-20, 11:03am
Tybee those evobowls are awesome and they meld perfectly with the Corelle!
IL, if you talking about the periwinkle blue, I love that color!!
Periwinkle is one of the few blues I'm really drawn to. Smart to use lighter colors in an already dark space. You might want to add extra lighting, too.
iris lilies
10-11-20, 11:19am
I love love love periwinkle! And yes I would say this blue I’m choosing is a light periwinkle.
Teacher Terry
10-11-20, 11:50am
That blue is pretty. Our kitchen has no windows but we get light from the dining room. I purposely didn’t choose anything dark because of that.
ApatheticNoMore
10-11-20, 1:41pm
Yea maybe corelle is declasse (who knows, who cares?) but all I've ever owned in dishes is corelle, well also some clear glass. It is plain white corelle, even got some plain white corning mugs to match. It's super easy to clean by hand, doesn't break easily, is lightweight, what's not to like.
My MIL's house looked exactly the same for decades. Same curtains, same furniture, same knick-knacks in the same place. She did swap out furniture or carpet that was worn out, but that happened very infrequently. One of her friends asked her, "Don't you get sick of the same colors?" And she simply said no. Her house could have been used as a set for a 50s show. But it was sparkling clean and polished and so homey. She liked her things, but also, she was extremely frugal.
I aspire to that, well okay who cares if you move the knick knacks around, but like I've said this remaking things all the time is completely crazy. Though I can relate a bit to the 20 sets of bedding :)
I knew someone who decided to buy all new furniture for their apartment because they were bored of their apartment and were thinking of moving but found out all comparable apartments would cost more (often the case if you've lived somewhere awhile) and that it was much cheaper to completely refurnish instead. Likely so, but still seemed wasteful.
frugal-one
10-11-20, 1:59pm
Yea maybe corelle is declasse (who knows, who cares?) but all I've ever owned in dishes is corelle, well also some clear glass. It is plain white corelle, even got some plain white corning mugs to match. It's super easy to clean by hand, doesn't break easily, is lightweight, what's not to like.
I aspire to that, well okay who cares if you move the knick knacks around, but like I've said this remaking things all the time is completely crazy. Though I can relate a bit to the 20 sets of bedding :)
I knew someone who decided to buy all new furniture for their apartment because they were bored of their apartment and were thinking of moving but found out all comparable apartments would cost more (often the case if you've lived somewhere awhile) and that it was much cheaper to completely refurnish instead. Likely so, but still seemed wasteful.
The gal I talked about earlier that had 20 different bedsets also changed her living room every few years. She was buying $2,000 couches. No wonder she had to rent!
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