I, like most people, have some pretty weird day-to-day habits (that may or may not border on compulsions.)
Nothing too severe or debilitating of course – just silly things that sometimes throw a crank in my style, or cause me to write using awkwardly mixed metaphors.
For instance –
I cannot abide nails longer then the ends of my fingers. Even if they come close, I have to cut them down.
When I played piano, I could never start to practice if I hadn’t brushed my teeth.
I’ve written before about how I have to take the same shower every time I step into the bath. At night, I floss, then brush, then wash my face, then moisturize, then put in my mouth guard.
I also have routines for cleaning the bathroom, folding laundry, and making the bed.
I “chew” hot drinks to cool them down.
There are others, I’m sure, but these are the ones that immediately spring to mind when I think about the routines I employ within my life.
They are processes that make me happy, and that help order and becalm my days (and my nights.)
But!
You’ll never catch me trying to label them.
I just find that too many people (especially of late) like think it’s cool to claim they suffer from some kind of behavioral disorder or condition.
Words like ADHD or OCD are thrown around like baseballs or chakrams.
(Side note: I totally wish that I had a chakram.)
(OKAY FINE – I totally just wanted to use the word chakram.)
(Chakram.)
Enough!
For example, how many times have you ever heard someone say an iteration of the following:
“ZOMG. I’m so ADD!”
Or
“That’s just part of my OCD!”
Or what have you.
I mean, I really wish these people understood that these disorders aren’t sweaters one can casually model one day and then promptly shove to the back of their closets for the next six months.
These are legitimate conditions from which people suffer, and treating them like they’re accessories is a pretty solid way of stripping individuals – who actually spend their lives working through their symptoms (and as such, their consequences) – of the legitimacy they deserve.
And I understand that it’s hard, in particular when 1.) the individual doing the appropriation are likely doing so without malicious intent and therefore don’t fully recognize why what they’re doing could be harmful, because 2.) our society is pretty crap at educating people about these conditions (or really any illness in general.)
I mean, I’d wager a bet that if you typed in “why do I like to wash my hands?” into Google, you’d probably get a giant red banner screaming:
CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE OUR 1,000,000 VISITOR TO HAVE OCD. CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE.
The second search result would most likely be: BECAUSE YOU HAVE CANCER.
(Off topic, but never, ever use the internet as a tool for diagnosis. Stick to cat videos and ermagherd.)
Anywho, what I’m trying to say here is that this lack of knowledge and discussion hurts everybody, and sometimes making silly little statements about our silly little lives can (unwittingly) hurts others.
And goodness knows I’m by no means a perfect example of this – this awareness is something I work on every day.
However, I sure am I’m hoping that one day it will become routine.
Rant and Roll 
I know I have my quirks and some quirks are just taboo to talk about. I do not know why nor do I understand it. I just live with it the best I can. You seem normal to me and still think you would be a hoot to hang out with:) Have a Great One:)
D’aawww, you never fail to put a huge smile on my face Ms. R! You are such a light and we need more brilliant people like you in this world. Have a very, very happy Thursday! xx
Finally someone else in the world who can’t tolerate fingernails beyond the end. It drives me absolutely crazy and I have to clip them off if they even think about “clicking” on the keyboard. Terrific blog, thank you for sharing
I KNOW RIGHT? Ahhh, it just drives me absolutely nuts. The clicking in the worst!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope to see you again. :)
xx
Do you find that it actually hurts your fingernails when they click? I don’t think we are the only ones in the world who have this issue, but we just might be ;)
It’s a pain, both mentally and physically (although I think the mental outweighs the physical). :)
Beautiful!! Love your nail!!
xx
tali
Thank you! I love them too :) x
:)
I think “Crohn’s Disease” will also come up in your search, LOL!
We all have our quirks… some day I’m going to write about Fang’s morning toilette… it’s f’ing hysterical.
Hahahaha! Brilliant. Goodness do I ever adore you.
I cannot wait to hear more about your fam’s bathroom adventures! LOL! xx
you delighted me , thank you :)
Goodness, I blush! Thank you right back! xx
That is such a good point! I think that so many illnesses, especially mental illnesses get looked at as things that aren’t that real. It’s such a show of misunderstanding to say things like “I’m a little OCD” because like you said, it’s not just something you choose from time to time. Sheesh!
Anyways, good topic, thanks for sharing it!
Oh on the internet-as-doctor note, never try to use it for information on hand foot and mouth disease. It will tell you all your nails will fall off… which seems entirely plausible at the time. Ick.
ACK!! That would have scared the daylights out of me! Ooof, the internet really is the worst sometimes, hey?
And thanks! It was something I was just thinking about the other day and I thought it might be a cool thing to explore a little more. Take care beauty! We sure did miss you at the Castleton Christmas party the other night :) xx
I like to think of myself as an eccentric inventor who sits in a tower all day plotting new doomsday devices to stop people from using the old ones.
Not sure why I said that but I started writing it and didn’t feel like stopping it.
I am pretty sure that if I went to a lady who specialized in people’s brain problems, she would diagnose me with just about all o’ them. But mostly I just refer to myself as a dude who isn’t good at concentrating.
PLEASE tell me you read Terry Pratchett (in particular the Night’s Watch books)? Because you, to me, are Lord Vetinari. And this makes me so, so happy. Goodness knows.
(Also, if you don’t read this books, please, please start because they are hilarious and amazing, brilliant and bonkers. You will love them!)
Either way, you’re the best. Always.
You’re spot on with this! These little oddities are things that I think most of us have, at least to some extent. It’s part of what makes us human. And labeling can be damaging, even to the person who labels themself because that’s something they can start to believe and carry with them.
hmmm…. “the german says to wait here.”
hmmm…
Is this a riddle? I am trying to figure it out…hmmm….
I agree that people use many of these words all too often to try and describe their quirks- without realising that there are others with actual conditions. The internet is the WORST tool if you’re feeling a little below the weather or bummed out. Talk about giving yourself a heart attack everytime cancer comes up- which as you say, is often.
And as for cat videos. I can watch some (more like several!) and then all of a sudden I’m looking at puppies. Then ducklings and chicks. Then fluffy bunnies and baby monkeys and otters. And the cycle begins again when I’m like: ‘oh cute- a kitten!’. It’s a trap!! You an be lost for days….. @_@
You are totally, totally right. The internet is like a black hole – so easy to start down one path and then find yourself in a completely different universe! The good certainly does come with the bad…
Oh my goodness, duckling videos!! I watched a video about rescue ducks the other day and I was just bawling my eyes out. It totally is a trap!!