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Mental health

Obsessive Diary/planner and routine maker

10 replies

domesticnightmare · 28/06/2013 09:52

It struck me today that i am an obsessive maker of lists etc. I seem to be looking for the perfect printable, (handwritten won't do!) routines for the housework, which things to do on which days, what meals when, when is the best day for grocery shopping. I have been trying for the last 5 years to have the perfect diary or planner, i have got through so many Filofax/notebooks/Moleskine's/Organised Mum products and reams of paper and ink, but somehow each one has its flaws, not the right layout, not the right quality paper etc. sounds SO ridiculous i know! It seems to be controlling me now, and when i'm tired or struggling with PMT the consuming planner obsession rears its ugly head even higher Blush
There are lots of mental health issues in my maternal family, and i am currently taking Sertraline that i was given for PND? after our youngest was born.
I am a SAHM, we decided that i would stay at home and not go back to work so i could be there for the kids 5 years and 7.5 years. I have a distance learning Reflexology course sitting undone, i volunteer two afternoons a week at school and have another voluntary role for possibly two mornings a week if only i can make myself do it.
I sit so long trying to find the perfect set up, and in the meantime the housework gets neglected, can anyone offer how they have dealt with this situation, please?

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yamsareyammy · 28/06/2013 14:52

Are you generally a perfectionist?
Or like to be in control of everything?

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domesticnightmare · 28/06/2013 16:45

As a rule I would say no but I notice with hindsight that in my before children job as a pharmacy technician with a manager who was VERY particular about things and lots of checking was involved just due to the nature of the job, I could well be!

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yamsareyammy · 28/06/2013 16:48

Do you think your previous job may have some bearing on what you are like now?

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mumblechum1 · 28/06/2013 16:50

I suggest that you just bung everything into your Googlemail calendar. That way, when you accept an invitation or book a delivery, you can see it and it automatically sends you an email to remind you about half an hour before.

I haven't used a paper diary or calendar for years, it's too easy to forget to put stuff on it.

tbh, having rigid schedules for when to do housework, what to make for dinner etc does sound a bit OCD, maybe you should see if you can get some help for that if it's controlling you.

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domesticnightmare · 28/06/2013 17:31

Thanks to you all for your comments, I have tried to use gcal but could never decide which android app widget to use! What makes it more pathetic is I could never find one with repeating tasks.... that repeat at appropriate intervals... sorry its pathetic! Then what if the battery dies or I lose my phone...
I think my previous job has quite a lot of bearing on my outlook now, esp. My manager who regularly shows up in my random dreams, but I am more in control with each dream that I have..........
Must get a grip?

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yamsareyammy · 28/06/2013 17:42

When it seems to control you, can you try to ignore?

And can you try to think of yourself in a new job, that actually requires a different skill set?

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domesticnightmare · 28/06/2013 17:46

I struggle to ignore it, its as if I haven't got a perfectly set out routine for the week I am in limbo til I have, and i fell like I need to do the same things on set days of the week, if something else crops up, I have to plan a new schedule! I was hoping that I could start to work as a Reflexologist, but now I am getting aprehensive Confused

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yamsareyammy · 28/06/2013 18:10

I have read on here, a poster saying their doctor said, that perfectionism isnt perfect. And for her that was a lightbulb moment.

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orangeandemons · 28/06/2013 18:12

This sounds like OCD to me

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domesticnightmare · 28/06/2013 18:59

Its strange, if you saw my house, you'd definitely not think I was a perfectionist! Am starting to think about OCD now, hopefully not too much!
Am going to follow the google calendar advice and try to make a list at the start of the week of the things I need to do, then try and not stress, just fit them in as and when!
Feels at the moment as if a would be free falling, but here goes!

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