25 Things You Don’t Know About Me: OCD Edition

So, by now you may know that I have a slight, ok unhealthy, addiction to gossip magazines. One of my favorites,US Weekly, always has a section where a chosen celebrity lists 25 unknown facts about themselves. I mean, who doesn’t like juicy secrets about strangers you’ll never meet? I know I do.

When I first started blogging about having OCD, so many friends and family members commented on the fact that they never knew I was struggling with this disorder. I have to say, I am pretty proud that I was able to conceal that much craziness from everyone. I often feel like the freak show at the fair – you know the one where you pay $.50 to see the two-headed lady, horse, cow? I don’t know, I never pay for those things… we should just leave the crazies be, don’t you think?

Anyways, I thought it would be ~~embarrassing~~ fun to do my own 25 Things… so here it goes, enjoy!

I hate to shake hands, but will do it in certain situations in order to avoid looking like a stuck up B. That being said, I really don’t understand this custom. Why do humans need to touch in order to say hello? Can’t we just wave? Smile? Do a polite head-nod? Any or all of those things would be fine by me.
I wash my hands before I shower. Say what? It sounds a bit ridiculous when I say it out loud, but I’ve been doing it so long I don’t think I could stop now. Clean hands are happy hands.
I only use a towel once and then I have to wash it. I know, it is awful.
I only use one bathroom in our house… we have three.
I look under my car when I park. Why? Good question.
I brought my own Clorox wipes to the hospital when I was in labor with Riley. I also asked my doctor to change her gloves, twice, in-between contractions and pushing because I had seen her touch her pager (gross).
I had a natural delivery because I saw a Dateline episode that told a story about a woman who died from meningitis after having an epidural.
I’ve never gone through a car wash on my own. I’m scared.
I put pants on left leg first. If by chance I do it the other way, I take them off and do it again.
I can’t sleep unless I’ve checked all of the carbon monoxide detectors in the house and by checking I mean I stare at them and count to six, in repetitions of three, while tapping. If I get out of bed, I have to do it again.
I don’t share food, drinks, or anything really. I know how to share, and I teach Riley to share, but I can’t. I’ll give you anything I have, I just don’t want it back. It’s me, not you, I promise.
I absolutely despise public bathrooms. I’ve gone 14 hours before because I couldn’t find one that met my standards of cleanliness. I’m intense, you don’t want to road trip with me.
If a drink comes with a straw, I have to flip the straw upside down before drinking from it. Doesn’t everyone do that?
I wash new underwear three times before wearing them. That’s normal though, right? If I could make my own, I would. I hate the idea that someone else has touched them.
I don’t like to order food in restaurants that could be mistaken for blood. Beets are especially problematic for me.
Going to a potluck is a game of chance that I’d rather not play. I’ll likely only eat what I brought and only if I serve myself first.
I think double-dipping should be a crime, a misdemeanor at the very least.
This is the first summer in three years that I’ve worn sandals. I used to always wear Toms or Sperry’s because my feet felt too exposed in sandals. I can thank my therapist for this accomplishment and many others, she is the best.
Yes, I see a therapist once a week for my OCD. You’re welcome.
I don’t walk barefoot in public places – ever. When I was little someone told me that people do drugs and leave needles in parks and beaches. I’ve been scared ever since.
You can always find hand sanitizer in my bag. It is my “must have.”
Bandaids make me anxious. I guess that is a given.
Being OCD does not necessarily mean you are incredibly neat. My house is not neat, trust me.
When I was pregnant, I was convinced I was going to get rabies. Phew, glad that didn’t happen.
If I seem pensive, I am probably going through everything I did that day. Kidding, kind of.