I count up 30 seconds in my head after flipping my fried egg before I take it out of the pan (over medium), but then I often forget to stop counting as I get the rest of my breakfast together and eat it. Sometime later I realize I've gotten way up in the hundreds without noticing that I'm still counting.
I'm a sort of counter, too--it's there for any repetitive job--chopping the carrots, whatever is repetitive and in no "official" need of being counted. I think I do it even when I don't notice I'm doing it. Thanks for this post--it's nice to know I'm not alone in this! When I asked one of my sons if he counted anything in this way, he said he always counted the number of syllables in his words when he spoke, and he can't keep it from happening. but it doesn't affect his actual speech in any way. This does seem to be an 'innocent' manifistation of a bit of OCD--pretty mysterious.
Great observations. Counting is so much a part of our lives naturally. I count when I walk my dog all the time. Although lately I've been humming xmas tunes in my mind. Haha.
I'd skip all the drafts and word count and go for those cookies!
...and many days that's exactly what happens (heading for the cookies). Now I feel like stopping the people I encounter on the trail and ask them what's going through their minds.
Hi, Wendy! I enjoyed this article, as usual. I'm a counter, too, but not as assiduously as you. I can't grind coffee without counting each rotation of the handle. Each time I start a load of laundry, I count the number of agitations to 35 before I peek to make sure I haven't overloaded the machine. I count each stroke as I brush my teeth. There are more examples, and I'm sure I count when I don't even realize it. I've always thought of it as a manifestation of OCD. Not in a bad way.
We are very similar! (and very likely some OCD involved). Your comment about the coffee handle rotations reminded me of one I failed to mention - the rotations of the popcorn popper. I have to turn it 40 times on high, then 40 times on medium, then about 100 times on low until it's done. I don't need to count that last one, but by then I can't help it and always do.
I think it's the musician in you that relies on beats and rhythm - it's easy to see how you would carry that over into walking or doing anything repetious.
Here I come, ready or not! lol. I most remember hide and seek from my childhood summer evenings. That rare opportunity to play after dinner, when it was still light. The neighborhood kids would amass and hide and seek would commence. Aways so much fun. I tried playing it with my very young grandson in my back yard, but my dogs always found me immediately.
As for counting, I think musicians are very mathematically inclined. I remember when Joshua was a teenager he and Darrell would have musical conversations all in numbers. You go from the 6th to the 5th ... or whatever. All Greek to me.
When I'm very bored, like maybe waiting at the DMV I might count the tiles in the ceiling or chairs. or whatever. But not with writing. I'm a much more go with the flow type person. I don't aim for a specific goal, or a specific word count. I look at that after the first draft to see where I'm at, and what I need to adjust.
I hate you have so much trouble sleeping. I also tell myself stories, or like you counting the stairs, I relive a walk, or even sometimes the drive to Arizona, noticing all my favorite markers for where I am in the trip.
Wonderful childhood memories of hide-and-seek, Suzy. I figured you would have something to say about counting as it relates to writing. We have pretty much opposite approaches - yet both have proved to be quite productive!
I count up 30 seconds in my head after flipping my fried egg before I take it out of the pan (over medium), but then I often forget to stop counting as I get the rest of my breakfast together and eat it. Sometime later I realize I've gotten way up in the hundreds without noticing that I'm still counting.
The human calculator! I bet someday you'll make it up into the thousands.
I'm a sort of counter, too--it's there for any repetitive job--chopping the carrots, whatever is repetitive and in no "official" need of being counted. I think I do it even when I don't notice I'm doing it. Thanks for this post--it's nice to know I'm not alone in this! When I asked one of my sons if he counted anything in this way, he said he always counted the number of syllables in his words when he spoke, and he can't keep it from happening. but it doesn't affect his actual speech in any way. This does seem to be an 'innocent' manifistation of a bit of OCD--pretty mysterious.
Great observations. Counting is so much a part of our lives naturally. I count when I walk my dog all the time. Although lately I've been humming xmas tunes in my mind. Haha.
I'd skip all the drafts and word count and go for those cookies!
...and many days that's exactly what happens (heading for the cookies). Now I feel like stopping the people I encounter on the trail and ask them what's going through their minds.
Hi, Wendy! I enjoyed this article, as usual. I'm a counter, too, but not as assiduously as you. I can't grind coffee without counting each rotation of the handle. Each time I start a load of laundry, I count the number of agitations to 35 before I peek to make sure I haven't overloaded the machine. I count each stroke as I brush my teeth. There are more examples, and I'm sure I count when I don't even realize it. I've always thought of it as a manifestation of OCD. Not in a bad way.
We are very similar! (and very likely some OCD involved). Your comment about the coffee handle rotations reminded me of one I failed to mention - the rotations of the popcorn popper. I have to turn it 40 times on high, then 40 times on medium, then about 100 times on low until it's done. I don't need to count that last one, but by then I can't help it and always do.
I forgot that I also count while I'm pouring wine and other things. the list goes on.
It's endless!
I love this glimpse into your mind,, Wendy! I'm a bit of a counter, too, but not quite the aficionado you are!
My mind is a scary place! But then, maybe everyone's is...
I think it's the musician in you that relies on beats and rhythm - it's easy to see how you would carry that over into walking or doing anything repetious.
Yes, that could be it. I'd love to get a sampling of musicians vs non-musicians to see if that holds up!
Here I come, ready or not! lol. I most remember hide and seek from my childhood summer evenings. That rare opportunity to play after dinner, when it was still light. The neighborhood kids would amass and hide and seek would commence. Aways so much fun. I tried playing it with my very young grandson in my back yard, but my dogs always found me immediately.
As for counting, I think musicians are very mathematically inclined. I remember when Joshua was a teenager he and Darrell would have musical conversations all in numbers. You go from the 6th to the 5th ... or whatever. All Greek to me.
When I'm very bored, like maybe waiting at the DMV I might count the tiles in the ceiling or chairs. or whatever. But not with writing. I'm a much more go with the flow type person. I don't aim for a specific goal, or a specific word count. I look at that after the first draft to see where I'm at, and what I need to adjust.
I hate you have so much trouble sleeping. I also tell myself stories, or like you counting the stairs, I relive a walk, or even sometimes the drive to Arizona, noticing all my favorite markers for where I am in the trip.
Wonderful childhood memories of hide-and-seek, Suzy. I figured you would have something to say about counting as it relates to writing. We have pretty much opposite approaches - yet both have proved to be quite productive!
Yes it's always good to embrace whatever works!
Yes, it's almost an unconscious activity, isn't it? Though counting syllables while speaking sounds pretty tough to me!