Why am I counting everything just lately? 🤔

I count the number of pegs I use on the washing line and the number of socks I hang up { always an odd number} I count the cutlery going into the dishwasher. but I have never bothered adding up numbers I have counted.

Oh, great is my relief at finding that I am not alone in this habit!!

I count the items of clothing coming out of the tumble drier. 🤪

I have ,since young,counted things, has to add up to 16..mine is an OCD, diagnosed,I can stop myself but it's something I've learnt to live with

I also count the number of items as I unload the dishwasher.
Also when I walk the dog on our regular route I count the different wildflowers in bloom each day.
I have autistic children and grandchildren so I am probably on the spectrum too.

I don’t count all of the time but have noticed at times of extreme stress I have done this.
I do think in FGTs case it’s more about protecting herself from despair under the circumstances than any form of boredom or OCD.
I think we all have our quirks and our different coping mechanisms.

Me too!! I count all the time, except time, ie seconds, minutes. How many slices of carrots, pieces of potatoes into pan, etc. etc. Glad to realise I’m not alone. Never thought it could be stress related as have done it for years.

Another counter here.

Doesn't everyone count stairs...?

I suppose I could turn on the light on the landing, but then it would wake up my OH, or my DD or DGD when they are staying here overnight. Easier just to count!

If I get up in the middle of the night and go downtairs, I always count the stairs down to the ground floor. The number is 13. This is so that I don't fall down the stairs in the dark. I have always been practical, not supersticious!!

I have done this for years! The most irritating is counting the 15 garden steps while sitting on the sofa looking out. I also count the bathroom tiles every time I have a bath. I do like even numbers and dislike my air fryer's 11 beeps when finished.

Yes I've always counted my steps when walking . Sound on the tv or radio has to end with a 0 or a 5 ..no idea why !!

I thought it was just me did this counting business. Anything repetitive like cleaning my teeth I religiously count. I count myself to sleep and also know exactly where I am in my accounting because my subconscious takes over

Yes. I have been told that it is because of my OCD.

I had to count in 4s all the time when I was a child.I think it was because there were 4 of us in the family. Mum died when I was 11 and I knew...as well as I could...that she was incurable ill for a long time and not going to recover, and I wonder if the counting was me trying to keep her with us? I don't do that now but I do have other obsessive habits. Crazy mixed up grannies. Functioning OK ish!

I have literally never done this.
I check with myself whether I have done sufficient exercise , so,
had a walk round our local lake today ; biked to the post office and back: been for a swim.... I don't however have the 10,000 step counter or however many steps it is these days.
I'm OCD about turning off appliances before we leave the house and checking I know where my bank cards are.......
All these odd and even numbers and counting all sorts of things must keep people very focussed and " in the moment".

Not a bad idea to count the cutlery as you know when something is missing instead of one day thinking where are most of my teaspoons with a particular pattern on the handle.

I've always counted things - when I empty the dishwasher I count the knives, forks, plates... no idea why. I once asked DH if he did that and he was very confused. Now he reports the number of knives and forks to me as he puts them away 😄 Count steps, coins, people, cars...

Someone once told me it's a sign of autism, no idea if that is true.

I find counting up in prime numbers is quite a good way of getting to sleep.

Neither stress nor control. I think it just stops boredom. While waiting for a bus I estimate that one will arrive after 5 red (unusual colour) cars have passed. Or, say, 50 black ones.
Walking home from the bus stop I estimate the number of paces to the next lamp post ,or a parked car. It just passes the time! I haven’t played the number plate game while driving but I might try that now, although the “boring” element doesn’t really happen while driving

I always count steps. I don’t guess those. If there are 13 I just do No 12 twice.

Interesting to know other people do this!

I’m a counter.
It’s often the telephone lines from the pole to the houses in my road.

Yes I also count anything, particularly when in the Drs or waiting for trains. I think the mind is dealing with stress

Oh blimey - I’ve never counted anything😳.

Although I have lists of stuff, like jobs for the day, menus etc. I am governed by lists!

Foibles - such a descriptive word.

With my dodgy knee I find myself walking with my walking poles and counting my steps out loud. Dread to think what people passing me must think. It somehow takes my mind off my knee hurting.