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routine vs. compulsiveness
Background - my office is being renovated and we have to enter the building through a different entrance. I park in our garage closer to the front entrance (now blocked) and have parked in the same section, and usually the same space, for 5 years. Now that I can't go in the blocked entrance, I am still parking in the same space even though it means a longer walk to the back entrance - it's not a huge distance longer - maybe 30 extra paces.
I mentioned this to a coworker and they were appalled that I didn't just park closer to the back entrance. I tried to defend it, and all I could come up with was that it was my routine. They opined that it is compulsive behavior to park in the same space for 5 years straight (except for the days when someone steals my space - *%^*&%$*).
What say you, interwebs?
Re: routine vs. compulsiveness
Ha! I was just telling DH last night that once the new driveway is finished at work it's probably going to be a month before I remember to use it. So, yeah - it's just hard to break routine.
Can't teach an old dog new tricks, or what have you.
We make the rockin' world go 'round.
I have parked in the same spot for almost 20 years, which is even sadder. Like Wines, it makes it easy to find my car... but who I am kidding. It's mostly bc I like the spot bc I can get out of the garage easily (no manuevering around columns).
IDK, but it seems to me that most routines would become somewhat compulsive bc if I have a routine, and I veer from it, then the rest of the day seems.... off. Ya know? So I don't do it compulsively (like handwashing three times), and I wouldn't fall apart if I had to park in a different spot. It's just.. habit.
"What is a week-end?"
If someone else takes the spot and you obsess about it all day, that's compulsion. Like, if your day just isn't right and you can't get over it.
Other than that, it's just mindless routine. No sense in picking a new spot. You like that spot, clearly it's worked for you.
Anyone who gets appalled at something like that is a bit nutso. Perhaps you should turn the tables on them ;-)
I definitely don't obsess over it all day. And I agree that it's totally mindless.
I much prefer interwebs analysis than coworker analysis.
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I have to say that I agree with your co-workers. If you can just go park closer to the other entrance, but choose not to because you have some irrational pull to "your" parking spot, then you really can't complain.
It seems really silly to just park somewhere because you always have, rather than because it's a convenient place to park.
I totally agree that it's completely irrational! I do think I would probably forget where I was parked if I changed it, and since it's a short-term renovation project, I'd rather walk the extra 30 paces each day for 6 weeks or so than start a new habit by moving my car.
I guess I'm more set in my ways than I like to acknowledge. Of course, I am also the person who eats the same lunch almost every day.
In your situation, I'd probably stick to my routine so I wouldn't have to change up and I'd get the benefit of a little extra exercise. I think of parking in the same spot every day as more a function of free memory space than compulsion. When I have to park on P2 rather than P1, I have to use extra effort to remember where my car is. When I leave my keys somewhere other than on the table by the door, I might forget them or have to rack my brain to remember where they went. If I always park in the same spot, I never have to think too hard to find my car after a long day.
Dear Saint,
Completely random, but this discussion about using memory space reminds me of the "most dangerous house." The concept of the house is to always keep the resident constantly aware of his surroundings; the theory is that it'll keep the brain sharp.
Home gnome,
kewliegirl
Agree it frees up mind space for other things.
Compulsion is counting the number of steps and going back to do it all over again when it doesn't come out to what was expected...yes, I had a co-worker like that, retired now. He was very good at making computer backups...a very tedious, repetitive job. He also told a joke everyday...the same joke to everyone he encountered.
That house would drive me crazy on a daily basis (imagine trying to navigate that in the dark) but it would be fun to visit. I'd much rather have a tree house!