Routines feel necessary

[Buginmybrain]

Hey everyone! This is my first question on here. Do any of you feel like routines help your OCD or make it worse? Like...am I giving into compulsion by completing my routine every day? Example....I have to get my workout in early in the day or I don't feel right and I think I'm a failure if I miss it

Thanks

[Selesnya]

I think that there's a fine line here that is difficult to identify. If you are compelled to do something until you get a feeling that you have done it "just right" then it is probably OCD at work. My therapist has been encouraging me to exercise incorrectly. Skip a machine when I'm doing weights, don't do my full number of reps, go at the wrong time of day, go on the wrong days (not M, W, F), etc. If you're really rigid in how you structure your activities then it might also be OCD at work. If you've just found that you function better if you get exercise everyday, then it's probably not OCD, but just good self-care. It is probably worth figuring out why you are approaching your routines as you are to see how much of it is OCD and how much of it is just common sense and good habits.

[UserRobby]

Well, in my experience, having a healthy routine is good because its like having a mini-goal. I find my OCD is at its worst when I'm either already stressed or I don't have enough to occupy my time.

On the other hand being flexible is important too because it fights against the OCD perfectionistic tendencies. So its good therapy to change up the routine and not feel it has to be done perfectly.