A little help with that checking urge

I’m curious about those moments when the urge to check things takes over. You know, that feeling when you’ve just locked the door, but you can’t shake the need to turn back and check it one more time? I’ve found myself in that cycle more times than I’d like to admit.

For a while, I thought it was just me being overly cautious, but it turns out there’s a name for it—checking OCD. It feels like this relentless whisper in the back of my mind, nudging me to make sure everything is “just right.” I’ve caught myself going back to the stove to check if I really turned it off, or repeatedly looking at my phone to see if I missed any messages.

At first, I didn’t realize how much this was affecting my daily life. It wasn’t just an occasional annoyance; it was becoming a part of my routine. I started to feel this weight pressing down on me. So I decided to take a step back and seek some help. I mean, there’s no harm in asking for a little guidance, right?

One thing that’s helped me is establishing a small ritual. When I check something—like locking the door—I try to make it a purposeful task. I say to myself, “I’m locking this door now, and I’m done with it.” It sounds simple, but giving it a little intention has made a difference. I’ve also found writing it down helps. I keep a little list of the things I’ve checked, and it helps to remind me that I’ve already taken care of those tasks.

I’m curious if others have found similar techniques that work for them. Have you ever tried to challenge those checking urges? Or perhaps you’ve found different ways to cope? I think it’s really important to share and support one another through this journey. It can feel isolating, but knowing there are others out there facing the same struggles can be comforting.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!