Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Indulging the OCD

I’m sure it’s never apparent on here, but I can tend to over-think things sometimes. I get fixated on a particular topic and I have to flesh out every possible scenario in my head until I can make sense of each potential avenue. Control freak, much?
A little.

One of my most favoritest things to do is make lists. Pro and con lists. Shopping lists. To do lists. Wedding guest lists. Lists of every boy I’ve ever kissed in my life. Anytime I start to wonder about something, I want to organize all the thoughts and write them down in a neat little bulleted record for myself and all future generations to enjoy.

The last time I went to Europe, I made my packing list at least a month in advance. And preparing for my next departure in 4 ½ weeks has put me into full OCD mode. There are many lists circulating in my apartment right now and last night I began to consolidate them into the mutha of all written plans.

I made a clothing matrix.

Yes, I graphed out every top, bottom, dress, sweater and pair of shoes I was going to take to Europe and figured out how many outfits I could make with the pieces. It came to 58. But I bet there are more combos I didn’t think of. Then I started making another table of “at home in the UK” items vs. “traveling on the weekend” items. Because, you know, they don’t have stores over there so if I forget anything, I’m screwed.

The worst part is that I LOVE doing this stuff. Organizing and planning floats my little OCD boat like nothing else. Or maybe the worst part is that I was drinking wine and watching The Bachelorette with my 2 cats while I was doing it…that might be the worst part.

Do you guys find as much joy in indulging your OCD stuff as I do?

13 comments:

Mandy_Fish said...

A clothing matrix?

If you were to form a religious cult, I would join it. That's how much I admire you and your clothing matrix.

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Ever heard of the new A&E show called Obsessed? Maybe I should nominate you for it? hahaha.

Unknown said...

You would not believe how many lists I did before going into the hospital to have my first child. I GOOGLED hospital lists and merged lists, cross-referencing lists to make sure that I included everything that should be included on my list . . . then we got to the hospital and I made a list of things for my husband to go home and get that I had forgotten to add to the list . . . go figure.

Dingo said...

I am absolutely lost without my lists. Granted, I don't always get to everything on the lists but if I don't have them NOTHING gets done. But, I have to say, I'm not as organized as to rise to the level of your list making abilities. I bow to your superior skill.

laura said...

I LOVE lists! I love figuring out months in advance what I need to pack for vacation and that usually entails shopping!! I love planning...sometime I think that is half the fun of going anywhere...figuring it out all in advance....lists, research, talking to people. But a clothing matrix?! You are definitely my hero. I am so doing that on my upcoming Europe trip!!

Jane Moneypenny said...

This is nothing. I have all my clothes arranged by color and I make lists every day. I'm OCD about organization, about paper work, about messy handwriting...etc etc.

justrun said...

"Yes, I graphed out every top, bottom, dress, sweater and pair of shoes I was going to take to Europe and figured out how many outfits I could make with the pieces."

We need to be BFF. Immediately.

Also, I love the abacus. I want one. No really, I do. I hate math, but I love abacus. Or is it abacai? :)

Mike129 said...

Oh, my. I can OCD with the best.

The worst part about OCD is when you are trying to make a decision about something that simply doesn't have an objectively "right" answer. That drives me crazy!

:)

Rachel said...

that is the shit! can i see it?

Big Sister said...

I wish you were here tonight when i was doing Allie's homework about Tree Diagrams and Probability - Actual question -"If Jose has 3 clean shirts (red, yellow & blue) and 2 pairs of clean pants (blue & tan, choose all the possible ways he can choose a shirt and pants." Who knew I could have just called you for a clothing matrix. We'll teach you the Tree Diagram to add to your list of ways you can calculate possible outfits.

And...don't forget the birthday lists we get from you each year, starting in Feburary, for your April birthday.

thecoconutdiaries said...

Um, yeah. It's my paralyzing OCD combined with my staggering case of ADHD that keeps me from completing a...SQUIRREL!

Mermanda said...

YES. I do enjoy it. But the bad part is that I always lose or forget my list when it's time to use it. Said list is usually the product of at least several days of heavy thinking and preparation.

GuillotFam said...

Just catching up on your blog, but you know I love, love lists. My favorite kind of list these days is the errand list, and if there is time, it is written in the order in which I'll drive the errands for max efficiency. VERY important with two little ones! My other massively type A list that I catch a lot of flack for is my computer-generated grocery list. Print off a batch and check things as I need them. And it's in the order of the store layout so shopping is easy. OCD much? Oh yes!