For a while now, I've been trying to figure out a way to show ya'll the extent of my OCD (which, by the way, my friend "C"-- a 3rd year med student-- says is not OCD, but OCPD... she tried to explain the difference to me in a text, but there's a reason why she's a soon-to-be doctor and I'm just a journalist; "C", this post is dedicated to you).
At first, I thought about showing you my closet. It used to be a symbole of how out of control organized I was, but it's really fallen by the wayside since I gave birth. In fact, this week, I found three of G's toys scattered amongst my shoes. Oh and despite the fact that it's the first full week of November, I have yet to switch out my summer wardrobe with my winter stuff... and I don't see it happening any time soon.
Then I realized-- I've passed on my OCD (OCPD, sorry "C"!) to G's closet! As proof, I admit exhibit A:
I'm not sure how much you can from this picture, but the level of organization in G's closet goes above and beyond whatever insanity mine ever did. Let's begin with the classifications of clothing. From left to right, G's closet begins with all her shirts; then, it's her onesies, her rompers, then her dresses; after that, I have her overalls/jumpers, and finally, her sweatshirts and jumpers. Now, on to the color coding. Each category of clothing begins with a single red hanger, to connotate where one section ends and another begins. Then, there are the white hangers; these signify clothes that should no longer fit G (ie, a 9-12 month shirt) but still do. Then there are blue hangers, which mean she still fits into the specified "age range" for an item of clothing. Then, it's the green hangers, which are clothes that still might be a little big on her, but that she'll soon grow into.
What about shoes, pants, shorts, skirts? They are organized in similarly manic bins and shelves located below the hangers and on the door.
You may be wondering, why do I take this much time to obsess organize a closet for a 13-month-old? It's so much easier to find a specific item of clothing this way, because honestly, it's how my brain works. I can't help it! It's just who I am.
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Your so organized!! I still have newborn clothes scattered all over my son's nursery and he's now in 6-9mth clothing! I should really invest in more drawers/storage!!
haha! you are so cute! we love you :) and thanks for the post dedication!
OK, for your readers, i will clarify the difference because it is a very common misunderstanding.
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)= Obsesssion- a recurrent and intrusive thought, feeling or idea
compulsion- a conscious repetitive behavior linked to an obsession that, when performed, functions to alleviate anxiety caused by the obsession
People with OCD often have anxiety related to an obsession like a fear of germs, a need to do something in a pattern (ex. not walking on cracks, doing things in threes), or "checking" things like doors for safety, etc. grouped into 1. obsessions about contamination 2. obsessions of doubt 3. intrusive thoughts
the major difference is that they know that they have a problem and it causes them a lot of embarassment and stress.
OCPD (obsessive compulsive personality disorder) to use a big word, is egosyntonic (they don't usually realize that they have a problem and generally think other people, the situation etc. is the problem)
OCPD= think martha stewart
at least four of the following must be present
1. a pervasive perfectionism that is deterimental to completion of a task
2. preoccupation with details, rules, lists, and organization such that the major point of the activity is lost
3. excessive devotion to work
4. excessive conscientiousness and scrupulousness about morals and ethics
5. will not delegate tasks
6. unable to discard worthless objects
7. miserly
8. rigid an stubborn
occurs most often in the oldest child and in men.
OCD responds very well to psychiatric drugs and has a high recovery rate. OCPD is treated with therapy and sometimes with a few medications but that is less common.
anyway! just remember the best part of psychiatry. if you are functional (it has no effect on your work or relationships) you just have "traits" and not a disorder :) i always find that comforting.
OCPD is also associated with very high rates of academic success! so its kind of a benefit in some ways. interesting fact- one of your biological parents also probably had a similar personality. it has a very high genetic tendency.
Oh, I should SO NOT have read that. You give me evil ideas. I love the hanger idea. I've been trying to figure out a way to deal with the size issue ;-)
I am exactly the same as you with everything in the post. There is only so much time in a day, and I know my clothes well enough that I can get away with that mess. Z's clothes however, change so often....
I don't want to hear another post on this from you. It will give me more ideas on something I am trying to NOT indulge ;-)
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Love yours. Now following.
So I am not like this with myself but all of little dudes closes are in his closet by color. Red, blue, green, gray, black, brown, orange, yellow, purple, white. Been that way since he was born. Don't feel too bad makes cleaning out the closets easier!
There is nothing wrong with that. That is how my best friend is with her closet and what not
Nice to know there's a name for my insanity. Thanks for the long explanation "C". And that closet... really is over the top! Glad I stumbled across you and can follow now!
I love it!! I am so OCD and ocd people like to see other people ocd! :) All our closets look the same way, my kids clothes are all size and color organized...doesn't it just make you happy? I walk in there sometimes just to see it. :)
I am not sure why you talk about OCD like it's a bad thing. My kids are 5 & 7 and they KNOW that they better keep their closets in order by occasion, color and sleeve length. I could be creating another generation of monster :) And just so ya know, there are tabs that you can hang in the closet that have the size on them (0-3 mos, 3-6 mos . . .) They sell them at Babies R Us and I always give them as a shower gift. They're perfect for girls like us!!!! Thanks for stopping by today to read my Letters. I'm following you now!
When I first started reading this post, I thought well that is how I hang up my daughters clothes, not too bad.. but then the hangers :) Well yes you might just be a little OCD or OCPD whichever it may be ;)
Thanks for coming by my blog today.
I used to be very OCPD....until I had two kids in 10.5 months. Now I don't give a hoot.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Oh my..I am so glad I found you. I think there are many of us out there. My closets are all color coordinated by short and long sleeve and. But I never thought of the hangers. That's great. And the list could go on. I have gotten a lot better and have been able to give in a little more since having two kids. Big thanks to Catherine for explaining the two.
I'm very obsessive compulsive about certain things as well. All my cabinets and closets are organized. The only place out of order is our garage, and that's all Hubs' stuff. He's a mess. I was told by a Doc that OCD is only OCD when it disrupts your life, i.e. not leaving the house, not going to work, not sleeping or eating, etc. I used to have issues with turning on/off light switches and checking locks on doors. My count for checking locks and lights has gone down from 10 times in a row to 1 or 2 checks. Not bad considering how the old pattern made me late for college classes and drove my roommate/best friend crazy. Sorry I babbled. Your closets are fab. Take care.
I don't see anything wrong with being organized. I think it's brilliant.
I always tell people "I don't have OCD. I have CDO. It's like OCD, but the letters are in the right order." :)
I am so sorry to start this out with a dissension vote, but, in all due respect, OCD is treatable but not curable. We OCDers must embrace our neurosis with wild abandon!
Although I do enjoy the distinction. I don't know why I haven't seen this diagnosis in the DSM IV.
Now let's diagnose our neighbors and co-workers...
Love your blog.
You've inspired me...Gracie's closet is officially "under construction". This task is so overdue...I also care way more about her closet than my own! Her clothes are much more fun! :)
LOL, you are way more organized than me (not that I EVER claimed to be). Thanks for visiting my blog :)
My closets and dressers are an organized mess!! BUT my kids... i have them organized SOOO organized. I wont let my husband or my kids put their clothes away because it has to be done MY way lol It doesnt matter to me if anyone else knows where things are as lone as I know where they are ;-)
hi! i just found you from no.17cherrytreelane!
1) your blog is super cute
2) this post just gave me some REALLY good ideas for my Sweet Pea's closet! that hangar idea is BRILLANT!!!
I am a bit OCD myself and I understand the obssesion with having things "just so"!
love it!
Oh my gosh! I can't believe I'm admitting this publicly, but in my laundry room where all of the extra hangers are waiting on fresh laundry...yeah, they are hanging with all of the types & colors organized, ha! You aren't alone in your madness, lol!
Hey!! Thanks for visiting my blog! I love yours! So adorable. All I can say is I wish I even had half of your OCD maybe I wouldn't be throwing clothes everywhere to find something that fits. Course if the girls didn't grow threw a size in a month I wouldn't have to do it either. :) Come back and visit anytime. http://mommystheories.blogspot.com/
I have OCD/OCPD too. It sorta bugs me though, when some people (not you, but others I've encountered) say "I'm all OCD" and they really are just neatniks or a little neurotic. Real OCD/OCPD can be difficult & frustrating for the sufferer and their loved ones. Especially if they have anxiety issues as part of it too.
I love your closets...Mine and my little boy's closets are even more categorized...similar to yours, but are also arranged within those categories into groups of solid colors (all reds, blues, greens, etc) and stripes. At first my husband couldn't believe I "bother with doing all that" but he's starting to categorize his too...lol.
I agree with you---it literally takes seconds to find specific items of clothing, or to match up outfits...and like you, that's how my brain works. I categorize and count things. It keeps order, and control in my world.
I am a former professional, now a SAHM for the first time in my life...and hubby, and others say "they pray my son doesn't wind up OCPD too"....lol I hope not.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Lucy
http://toddlergirls.net