I had a good talk with a friend last night about addictions and obsessions. We agreed that regardless of how “normal” or “together” someone might appear, they will have some kind of addiction or obsession. Everyone does. I had to confess about mine. I think what I’ve noticed recently is my neurosis about germs. I’ve always been a bit of a clean freak. I don’t like to have dishes sitting in the sink for more than a few hours, and I want my hands to be clean all the time. Lately, I’ve been a bit more weirded out about touching surfaces in public places, like door knobs and handrails, especially in public washrooms. I’ve seen enough people leave the washroom without washing their hands to make my stomach turn a little, thinking about them going back to their jobs flipping burgers or performing oral surgery. A lot of this came from traveling in places like Asia that have exotic germs, but I’ve brought it home with me like a souvenir.
My other obsession is my need to understand everything. I crave the how and why of everything around me. I want to know what makes everything work, how people think, why things are the way they are. At first glance, I think this is generally a good thing, but on the other hand, it can bog me down. Also, if I get it wrong, it can cause confusion and danger! Ok maybe it’s not that dramatic.
I can relate to the second obsession, though I wouldnt call it “obsession” because I can let it slip quite often.
As for the germs….well, do you have an illogical idea about germs? Kinda like people who fear spiders for no good reason? Would it be close to phobia? I mean, the dishes and the clean hands is fine, but the whole distant thunder when approaching a door knob is where the bogging down can occur.
Plus, germs are good! They make your immune system stronger
Welcome back! We must all get together soon and share stories and photos!
I hear you on the germies. I HAVE to wash my hands at least once an hour – this, I’m sure, comes from working in a hospital and being sick-prone. Also, I really cannot stand to share drinks or anything with people. Not even Alex. I also refuse to drink the last inch and a half of my beer because of the backwash theory.
Drinking your own spit? Narsty.
I am a how and why person as well. I spend lots of time printing off documents on ridiculously irrelevant subjects such as surface tension.
We have a clean freak at work – I’ve had to replace his touch-screen phone four times and never knew why they kept breaking until we went out with his wife who told me – he wipes his phone down with disinfectant.