savvypup

So I'm running out the door this morning .... late as per usual when I glance back at the bed and notice I haven't made it. Now is this anal or do you think I'm just a neat freak?

I think to myself 'just leave it' but I can't. I throw down the handbag and fold back the sheets, hospital corners and smooth out the doona. All the while I'm thinking, fuck girl you're anal and shit I'm late .... again!

It got me thinking though, about all the little things I have to have done my way. Like toilet paper. See at my place, the paper should cascade over in front of the roll. My reason (because there's a reason for all my quirky habits) is that in the middle of the night when I stumble to the loo half asleep, it's easier to find the end to tear off.

I seem to do this with lots of things. A part from the above, I don't freak out too much, but I do like my routine. There's just some things that to me need to be done to my way of thinking. A friend of mine, always likes to have the milk in his coffee BEFORE the boiling water because of burning the coffee (instant mind you) but heh, I have to do it this way all the time now and that just annoys the hell out of me.

So is this normal or am I just anal about the little things?

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ciao bella!

KirStang

I think, part of the reason for your neat tendencies could be your comfortability within your routines? Whenever something does not fit within your routine (ie. toilet paper), you have an urge to fix it and put it back within ur zone of expectation?

Another could be a force of habit. I used to work at a restaurant, and it became habit to clean up tables fast and pick up after people. After working there for a few months, when I came back to my apartment I would automatically pick up things and clean things up (I'm a guy who's usually relaxed about cleanliness mind you). So...perhaps it could be a mixture between routine and habit?

*Edit:* You're perfectly normal. Forgot to add that

little_tippler

I'm sorry to disagree with the last poster but I think it's a bit anal

I know it' wouldn't be my priority if it was going to make me late. Especially the hospital corners thing.

But everyone's different, I'm anal about other things. I'm just not a naturally tidy person! Normal is an illusion.

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Meditrina

This is so true! Everyone has their own idea of what is normal. Normal to me is making sure the blanket is covering the whole bed, I don't care if it is perfectly flat or anything. Normal to you, savvypup, is hospital corners.

Maybe you should make sure you have a bit more time in the morning to make your bed, so you are not late to work because of it. I am sure there are plenty of other reasons to be late!

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Ample

Wow hospital corners. I haven't done that since boot camp. I used to be the biggest slob alive. I would have a half full bottle of pop sitting on my nightstand for a month. That all changed when I got married, and now I am the "cleanest" guy I know, but don’t go as far as make sure the TP flows from the proper direction.

I have to agree with KirStag. I too am a creature of habits. Like Savv I have a whole morning routine that I go through in the morning from the time that I wake up to the time that I leave the house for work. I hate any factors that might throw my routine of course.

Living alone 4 out 7 days a week, and my place doesn’t really get that messy. Regardless, I spend a good 2-1/2 hours Saturday morning cleaning the same things dirty or not. Is it normal to mop a floor that is not dirty? What about cleaning a bathroom that is not used that much? Sometimes I think I over do it. I just hate the idea of having unexpected guess, and having them see my place dirty.

Mantus

I think you are a normal freak.

Plaid13

Careing if the bed is made when your running late is a bit anal. If your expecting company ok fine make the bed have everything look nice but if your the only one that will see it why worry about it? Being late to make something neat and tidy that only you will see is just a bit nuts. The TP thing i can understand along with any other cleaning just because clean=healthy.

snowy

If you can't leave the house without the bed being made, and in fact are late to work because you HAVE to make it--that sounds like a little more than just being anal. That sounds compulsive.

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Jinn

The toilet paper makes sense tho. Who the fuck does the cascade behind bullshit? Yea I'm going to roll the paper UNDER the roll? Don't they understand that it creates unncessary friction between the sheets when you do it the wrong way? This leads to premature tearing and POOP ON HANDS!!!!

GOD.

On the bed thing tho.. yea, that's a bit much.

People do all SORTS of wierd habitual shit. The only question you should ask yourself when you feel like you're not normal is .. does it bother me? If you're doing something habitually and you don't like it, then it's addictive and bad. If you're doing something habitually but you're afraid other people will think you're abnormal? Probably not a problem.

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Xazy

Got to agree with the toilet paper thing!

savvypup

Just to clarify, I only do hospital corners when I change the sheets, but the fact being I do hospital corners.

But cheers everyone for your thoughts!

I'm glad to hear about the toilet paper thing though. It just makes sense right?

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ciao bella!

aKula

I always make sure power points are off (except for the fridge) and that no taps are dripping before going to bed. As for the clean house, it's better for it to be too clean than too dirty.
Just make sure you're not late too many times because of bed making habits.

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dawnoffawn

I wish I were that neat! Good for you. as long as it's not interfering with your duties and stuff, it's normal.

Sage

Growing up in the household I did, yeah, it's totally normal to want everything to be *just so* before you leave in the morning! My mother is the queen of cleaning, and for years after I moved out on my own I used to be as obsessive about cleaning as she was... then I got married and got over it

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Gilda

Nothing wrong with it so long as I can see.

Gilda

maleficent

the fact that you were already late again(which is a problem itelf) and instead of getting out the door, you stopped and did something that could have waited until you got home and had some time... Yeah, i'd say you had some compulsive behavior... If you had left it... would it have been on your mind all day that you didn't make the bed? Would it have interfered with your day?

Two things to ask yourself... why are you always late? (which is a problem) and why would it bother you if the bed wasn't made? Woudl the world have stopped spinning on it's axis?

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mixedsubstance

A lot of people I know must have a made bed. I, for one, am not so particular. I make it before I crawl into bed, but usually don't have time to in the morning when I get up. Plus my SO is usually still in bed when I leave.
I tend to make a good mess, but get aggitated easily at the sight- at work I tidy up every chance I get. At home, not so much, because by the time I come home and take care of my son and get him off to bed I don't want to do anything. Then, out of nowhere I will just start cleaning to the extreme and don't stop til I'm either satisfied or pooped out.

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Anexkahn

there have been times when im running late and i'll stop to make up the bed... mainly because i dont want to have to do it later. it would generally be a hasty throw the sheets up deal, i wouldnt take the time to do it right if i was late.

as for toilet paper, im generally lucky to get the roll into the dispenser before its half way used up, let alone in the dispenser any 'correct' way. it usually sits on the counter with an empty roll in the dispenser.

Nimetic

I tend to make the bed once per change of bedclothes. Perhaps a second time if it gets really bad.

Most nights I just jump in. I figure that it was comfy when I got up, then it's probably still comfy.. : >

Toaster126

It's one thing to like your bed made. It's quite another to have to make the bed to ease your mental state even when you know doing so will make you late.

Also, for the record, normal is a term I hate.

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Disco Stu

you remind me of my psycho gf-ANAL