# Checking locks over and over is taking up too much of my day

**URL:** <https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/checking-locks-over-and-over-is-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54890>\
**Category:** Obsessive-Compulsive\
**Created:** [October 31, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/checking-locks-over-and-over-is-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54890 "2026-10-31T19:30:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Barry\_Odonnell](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Barry\_Odonnell](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Barry_Odonnell)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/checking-locks-over-and-over-is-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54890/1 "2026-10-31T19:30:08Z")

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Checking the locks over and over is eating up way too much of my day. I’ll lock the door, walk away, then get this sudden feeling that I didn’t do it properly. Before I know it, I’m back checking the handle again.

Sometimes I repeat the whole thing several times, even when I know the door is locked. It’s frustrating because part of me knows the checking isn’t making me safer, but stopping feels almost impossible in the moment. It’s started making me late and cutting into sleep too.

I’m trying to pause before going back and remind myself that the urge will pass, but it’s harder than it sounds. Has anything helped you reduce this kind of checking?

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Johnson](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/74df32/32.png) [@Richard\_Johnson](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Richard_Johnson)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/checking-locks-over-and-over-is-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54890/2 "2026-10-31T20:01:33Z")

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The part about knowing the door is locked but still getting that sudden doubt is rough. I’ve had that same “maybe I missed something” feeling, and arguing with it usually just creates another reason to check.

What helped me a bit was deciding beforehand what counted as checking once, then leaving even while the discomfort was still there. I’d expect the urge to hang around instead of waiting until I felt certain. It took a while, but the feeling did ease on its own sometimes.

If it’s cutting into sleep and making you late, it might be worth looking into CBT with exposure and response prevention. That’s the kind of treatment aimed at breaking the checking loop, not just trying to reassure yourself through it.

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**Author:** ![Shannon\_Valdez](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/8baadc/32.png) [@Shannon\_Valdez](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Shannon_Valdez)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 8:02pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/checking-locks-over-and-over-is-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54890/3 "2026-10-31T20:02:06Z")

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The way it’s cutting into sleep sounds especially exhausting. I’ve found that trying to prove to myself that the lock is definitely secure usually keeps the doubt alive, even when I know I’ve already checked it.

One thing that helped me was setting a clear rule before locking up, like checking the handle once, then leaving without going back. The first few times felt intensely uncomfortable, but I tried treating that discomfort as something I could carry rather than a warning I had to respond to.

Have you been able to try anything like ERP with a therapist? It seems like this is affecting enough of your day that getting help with the pattern could be worthwhile.