I've noticed that since I've stopped cutting on my own hair looking for symmetry (trichotemnomania)...that I have become extremely involved in the DF and posting all day long. I love to help people, but I don't want to go over board or over step my boundaries. I'm not sure how qualified I am to be of help to others, but I've been through alot of adversity in my life and I have alot to say! :) My concern though, is that perhaps I've just switched obsessions. I'm trying to find balance, however, and to step away from the computer and keep myself in check with it. I know that taking the focus off of myself and helping others is healthier for me than the self-destructive trichotemnomania but it's an obsession just the same in a way (I posted 30 times yesterday! :)). Anyway, I'm getting excited about the prospect of being able to make a difference and help others I just want to be sure that it is okay for me to "switch" obsessions...I have a tendancy to put 100% of myself into whatever it is I'm focusing on at the moment and I just want to keep myself in check and find a balance with it. Just rambling. Thank you for listening, all.

Shanban

I am the same. I can be totally obsessed about an issue then something will cross my path and I switch, completely forgetting what I was obsessing about previously.

We are here as volunteers to share experiences, support others, offer advice and comfort. We are not able to 'cure' anyone but if our threads help others, that has to be good!

Thank you, lizzy.

Shanna,

I understand what you are saying. It is easy to get hooked on the computer. I used to do that and half the day would be gone. Now, I have a time set for when I need to get off the computer and thats when I leave. Sometimes just having an alarm clock set to ring helps a lot. Computers are addictive but we are so happy you are here. You are helping a lot with your comments to others!! Good luck to you!!!

gentle Sun

thank you so much gentle sun!!!! if i've helped just one person even a little bit - it makes it all this time i've spent on the computer worth it. :) what a great idea (setting an alarm). i'll set the one on my cell phone right now! lol. one more hour on the computer and that's it!! :)

shanban

When I worked from home my spaniel would nudgeme at lunch time to remind me her dish was empty, it didn't matter how long I had been here, she wanted her dinner

It's easier to mooch around here than check for chores that need doing, hence the pile of ironing since 19th December, I did a few shirts yesterday but really should be there now ...........

hahahahaha! so true, so true. i'd much rather be here reading and ranting and possibly helping people in the process. It's much more fun than sorting through my unorganized home to find projects that really need to be done! LOL...and takes much less physical effort !!! :) . and yes.......i really should be folding clothes right now as well.

This post has been edited by shannabanana777: Jan 12 2009, 05:40 AM

Lunch - tick
Chickens fed - tick
Ironing - still waiting LOL!

This topic is so true of me its almost scary! I've been trading obsessions for what seems like for-ev-er! I always have to have something to throw myself into completely or my anxiety just gets crazy. Which is probably why I've been having such a hard time recently as I'm kind-of in between obsessions or at least, I'm in between positive obsessions, which tends to leave me to obsess about less productive, and more damaging ones. I know a lot of psychologists talk about never getting rid of an obsession, but you just trade it in for a new one.

It's good to know that i'm not the only one who's avoiding the laundry in favor of being on here though! i think the laundry basket is a little angry with me.. but i'll do the washing some day i promise

I'm having a drifting day, no set routine, no set chores, lots of books to read so off to make a cuppa and curl up in the warm. Until I think of something else I want to type!

I think that of course it's better to have a positive obsession, rather than assuming you should be able to cut all obsession tendencies out completely. And it all works out in the long run. Helping people is important, and you've already been helping a lot of us.

You can also frame it as "using your powers for good and not evil!!"

i have this strange semi-obsession with listening to songs and focusing on whether or not the singer pronounces his "r"s at the end of a word. =)

its called being non-rhotic. most brits, new englanders, and some new yorkers are non-rhotic. soemthing about it fascinates me.

=)

Thank you all sooooooooooo much for your kind words. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it too much. You guys are right - at least I'm using my powers for good and not evil! I enjoy doing this so much! I guess there's nothing wrong with it as long as I don't let it become SUCH an obsession that my family time begins to suffer. I really appreciate all of you guys!

Shanban

The good about a group such as this is that sharing experiences can help others. We can 'listen' to what is suggested, see whether it is appropriate and act on it if it suits. No pressure. Time to consider. Time to absorb.