OCD on overdrive

Thanks I liked the article.... I am a big fan of monotony and repetition. For example I like chopping and stacking logs I can happily do this for a full 12 hour day..... It is my idea of a perfect day. 

The NAS information was good it helped differentiate in my mind the repetitive things I do to calm and make me feel good and my obsessions and compulsions which have the opposite effect and leave me exhausted. 

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200720-what-the-mysterious-boredom-divide-teaches-us

Saw this, this morning, and reckon it is an appropriate topic for this forum's perusal; especially as I usually see my love of repetition as a positive. My line has long been, "Well, someone might as well enjoy doing those essential things that others loathe!".

I really would prefer to be in the backroom at work. I realised very young that I was not really cut out for mass public performance. So I have always been more of a clumsy artisan than an artist. I just about managed to perform as a teacher to fairly small audiences for many years; but when the opportunity arose to retire, I went for it like a shot. It was the scrutiny of colleagues that most put me on edge. I constantly felt like an imposter.

It's true, nevertheless, that I sometimes crave a little bit more recognition. I suppose that makes me a covert narcissist  And that's not a huge surprise. I've thought for a long time that I might have some of those almost untacklable narcissistic traits, judging by people's frequent negative reactions. But that is my way of enjoying life. It isn't monolithic, because I also love frequent changes of scenery within which to pursue my version of contented boredom. It certainly wouldn't look good on a CV. I've written a few good ones in my time, but they have rarely been really read, as I have attended few employment interviews. No big surprise there either. I made my own bed, and so I have to live with it. it's a tendency that can easily lead to exploitation. Hence, I suppose the need for fairly regular moves. But I do at least 'finish' those things that I set out to bore into submission.

Thanks mouse good to know I am not alone... Hope you are keeping well. 

Hi Bee free, I think the mod has passed you good info but just wanted to say that mine used to be so much harder in times of high anxiety. Anyway, all the best

Thanks I am interested in the group you mention will send a PM.

I have this tendency too. Not quite to the same degree, but I can understand how exhausting it can be. After living with this for decades, I realise that I have developed quite a few coping strategies Those strategies seem to involve something that might be labelled mindfulness, meditation or self-hypnosis; but I really prefer to handle most things quite informally, and without too many overt labels. But perhaps you need things to to be a bit more orchestrated than myself.

I have been told that hypnotherapy (and other therapies) can be used to rewire people's responses. That might involve say, keeping some sort of constant record of your transactions and decisions, that can be referred to avoid constantly redoing safety checks. But you may need some help to convince yourself that this approach is adequate. You might also need some co-operation and understanding from an employer and/or colleagues. Always supposing, of course, that they are already informed. (But some people may often have already noticed.)

We're not really supposed to do endorsements here. And I haven't personally experienced such an intervention. But I do have a UK group in mind if you want to PM me. I might have resorted to them myself, but alas I'm in another country; and one which really doesn't want to know. The appeal of this group for me is that they believe that only two or three therapy sessions are often necessary. And in my case, I tend to just read their literature and  figure out how to do it for myself. But it would be good, occasionally, to experience some guidance (And I am of the opinion that therapists should guide rather than influence or control.)