# Cleaning urges are taking up too much of my day **URL:** \ **Category:** Obsessive-Compulsive\ **Created:** [October 29, 2026, 1:00pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/cleaning-urges-are-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54697 "2026-10-29T13:00:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Robert\_Casey](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/ea5d25/32.png) [@Robert\_Casey](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Robert_Casey)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 1:00pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/cleaning-urges-are-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54697/1 "2026-10-29T13:00:28Z")
The cleaning urges are taking over way too much of my day. I’ll start with one small thing, then notice another spot, then another, and suddenly a big chunk of time is gone. Even when everything looks clean, I still get that nagging feeling that I missed something. The hardest part is the temporary relief. Cleaning makes the anxiety drop for a little while, so my brain keeps pushing me to do it again. I know it doesn’t actually solve anything, but knowing that hasn’t made the urges disappear. I’m trying to delay cleaning by a few minutes instead of responding immediately. Sometimes that works, and sometimes I give in, but I’m trying not to beat myself up over it. Has anyone found a way to make those delays easier? ---
**Author:** ![Regina\_Drake](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/9de0a6/32.png) [@Regina\_Drake](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Regina_Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/cleaning-urges-are-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54697/2 "2026-10-29T13:32:04Z")
@Robert_Casey, the temporary relief can make delaying feel almost impossible. I’ve found it a little easier to set a timer for five minutes and sit somewhere away from the cleaning spot until it ends. The urge is still there, but I’m not feeding it right away. If I give in afterward, I try not to treat that as failure. One small delay still counts, especially when the urge feels that strong. ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Beck](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@Tracy\_Beck](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Tracy_Beck)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/cleaning-urges-are-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54697/3 "2026-10-29T14:00:58Z")
@Robert_Casey, the “I missed something” feeling can be louder than what your eyes are actually seeing. I’ve had better luck naming one specific stopping point before I start, like wiping the counter once and then leaving the room. One time I set a five-minute timer and held a cup of tea while sitting somewhere else. The urge didn’t vanish, but having something to do with my hands made the delay less uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Erica\_Miller](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Erica\_Miller](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Erica_Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2026, 9:31am UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/cleaning-urges-are-taking-up-too-much-of-my-day/54697/4 "2026-10-30T09:31:02Z")
Robert, that “one small thing” turning into a whole house sweep is familiar. The nagging feeling can keep moving the finish line, even when the room already looks fine. What helped me was making the delay very concrete: I’d leave the room, set a timer, and do one ordinary task that couldn’t turn into cleaning, like watering a plant or answering a message. Sometimes the urge stayed strong, but waiting even three minutes helped me see that I didn’t have to act on it instantly.