# My obsessive habits are starting to run my day **URL:** \ **Category:** Obsessive-Compulsive\ **Created:** [September 21, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/my-obsessive-habits-are-starting-to-run-my-day/51297 "2026-09-21T20:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jeffrey\_Simmons](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jeffrey\_Simmons](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Jeffrey_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/my-obsessive-habits-are-starting-to-run-my-day/51297/1 "2026-09-21T20:30:11Z")
My obsessive habits are starting to run my day. I can get stuck checking the same thing over and over, even when I know I already checked it. A few weeks ago I spent so long making sure the front door was locked that I ended up late for an appointment. I felt ridiculous, but stopping felt worse in the moment. It’s not just checking either. Sometimes a small thought gets stuck and I keep going over it until I’m exhausted. I’m starting to plan around these habits instead of doing normal things when I want to. Has anyone found a way to interrupt the cycle before it takes over the whole day? ---
**Author:** ![Erika\_Fernandez](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Erika\_Fernandez](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Erika_Fernandez)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/my-obsessive-habits-are-starting-to-run-my-day/51297/2 "2026-09-22T20:33:25Z")
The “stopping felt worse” part is familiar. What helped me was setting one firm check rule before I started, like checking the lock once while saying out loud, “The door is locked,” then leaving without going back. The urge still showed up, but I treated it like discomfort I could wait out instead of proof that I needed another check. At first I had to walk a few minutes before the anxiety eased. A therapist can also help with exposure and response prevention, especially since this is already making you late and changing your plans. ---
**Author:** ![Matthew\_Murphy](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Matthew\_Murphy](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Matthew_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/my-obsessive-habits-are-starting-to-run-my-day/51297/3 "2026-09-22T21:01:43Z")
The part about saying it out loud helped me too. I started using one simple phrase when I checked the stove, then made myself move on to a different room instead of standing there arguing with the urge. The anxiety didn’t disappear right away, but waiting it out showed me that it could drop without another check. I’ve also started leaving a few extra minutes before appointments, since the urge is much harder to resist when I’m already rushing. ---
**Author:** ![Jessica\_Rhodes](https://forum.sharedquill.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/4491bb/32.png) [@Jessica\_Rhodes](https://forum.sharedquill.org/u/Jessica_Rhodes)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.sharedquill.org/t/my-obsessive-habits-are-starting-to-run-my-day/51297/4 "2026-09-25T16:32:14Z")
The distinction between discomfort and proof really helped me. I’ve caught myself treating the lingering anxiety like a warning that I missed something, when it’s often just the urge asking for reassurance again. I tried your spoken phrase with the front door and kept walking to the mailbox instead of turning back. The anxiety followed me for a few minutes, then eased enough that I could continue with my morning. Small win, but it showed me the extra check wasn’t actually necessary.