A Creature of Habit

After my chat with my little sister this evening, and jokingly reverting to a ritual from our childhood, I came to grips that I am indeed, a creature of habit. As kids, we shared a room for several years. Though not our ideal living situation, we got through it, in one piece. We had our bouts now and again, but at the end of the night, no matter what - one thing was for sure - we always said ‘good night’. But not just any ‘good night.’ The exact words were ‘good night, pleasant dreams, don’t let the bed bugs bite, you’re the best sister in the whole world, I’ll never forget you ever ever ever ever ever….’ No joke. Every night, it never failed - we HAD to say it. It was neither prompted by our mother or father… we just made it up one night, and stuck with it. Thusly, my near obsessive/compulsive habitual tendencies began, and have since taken over my life…

For example…

There is a restaurant in my neighborhood that, if I said I frequented, would be an understatement. I get the same thing…every time… probably four times a week. They have a button for me on the register. I almost feel as if I have cheated myself, if I even consider not getting it… turkey pita, no brie, add swiss and bacon… and extra raspberry mayonnaise, fries on the side.

I have to go to the bathroom before I go to sleep. Sometimes, I don’t even have to go, but I sit there, on the toilet, until something trickles out, because I can not fall asleep knowing I haven’t gone to the bathroom.

I have to tell my boyfriend ‘I love you’ at least once a day - most times, before I go to bed. I don’t know why, but if I don’t, I feel bad. Not that he thinks I love him less b/c I failed to say it, but I feel like i’m slacking otherwise.

I have to make my bed. But not because it makes the room look clean, or it’s what you’re suppose to do when you wake up. When I was younger, my parents convinced me that if kept my toys and clothes on the floor, snakes would grow out of the carpet. So then, I started putting my clothes and toys on the bed. Well then they said that if I didn’t keep my bed neat, snakes would grow out of my bed. So at a young age, and out of fear for snakes, I started making my bed. Now of course I know that snakes won’t grow out of my bed now… but it’s ingrained in my brain… and just in case my parents weren’t making that up… it’s safest to just make the bed…

There are a million and one other things that I do… and for no justifiable reason… simply out of habit. I drive myself crazy most times, but what can I say… I’m not quite right.