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I picked up this nasty habit of leaving the house and feeling compelled to check to make sure the oven and stove top are off. After years of doing this and fee

I picked up this nasty habit of leaving the house and feeling compelled to check to make sure the oven and stove top are off. After years of doing this and feeling silly each time I started checking the oven before I left the house and told myself outloud, "Yes, the oven and stovetop is off". I was surprised how effective this was. Interesting to read this article today and other's solutions to the same problem.

WalterBright 10y ago
It's a common issue, especially if one has a touch of OCD. Your solution is good. Another one is to use a checklist. I ritually go through the house as the last thing before leaving, but it would be better to use an actual written checklist.
Swizec 10y ago
I used to be like that about packing before traveling. Nervous that I'd forgotten something I'd keep checking and checking. With time I learned that (or got more practice) it is unlikely I actually forgot something. Probably I just don't remember packing it. 95% of the time when I fear I didn't pack some silly thing, there it is, in my suitcase,when I arrive. Thank you past Swizec! A big part of it is also that I always pack my suitcase in the same way and I always put certain things in certain spots. If I am closing the suitcase and the thing is not in its spot, then I stop and put it there. Especially important for passports and other such documents. Always put it in the same place. If it's not in that place, then it isn't packed. This reduces the amount of checksuming you have to do. Oh and all you really need is your passport and your credit card. The rest is replaceable.
- macintux 10y ago
  > Oh and all you really need is your passport and your credit card. The rest is replaceable. For some of us, depending on the destination, prescription sunglasses also fall into the category of essentials. Learned that lesson the hard way.
  - Swizec 10y ago
    Oh yeah, that's why those never leave my backpack. And I only have a single glasses case that normal and sun glasses share. One is on my face, the other in my bacpack in the case. Has worked well so far :)
- xexers 10y ago
  I do all of that as well. I also use a vacation checklist.

WalterBright 10y ago

It's a common issue, especially if one has a touch of OCD. Your solution is good. Another one is to use a checklist. I ritually go through the house as the last thing before leaving, but it would be better to use an actual written checklist.

Swizec 10y ago

I used to be like that about packing before traveling. Nervous that I'd forgotten something I'd keep checking and checking. With time I learned that (or got more practice) it is unlikely I actually forgot something. Probably I just don't remember packing it. 95% of the time when I fear I didn't pack some silly thing, there it is, in my suitcase,when I arrive. Thank you past Swizec! A big part of it is also that I always pack my suitcase in the same way and I always put certain things in certain spots. If I am closing the suitcase and the thing is not in its spot, then I stop and put it there. Especially important for passports and other such documents. Always put it in the same place. If it's not in that place, then it isn't packed. This reduces the amount of checksuming you have to do. Oh and all you really need is your passport and your credit card. The rest is replaceable.

macintux 10y ago
> Oh and all you really need is your passport and your credit card. The rest is replaceable. For some of us, depending on the destination, prescription sunglasses also fall into the category of essentials. Learned that lesson the hard way.
- Swizec 10y ago
  Oh yeah, that's why those never leave my backpack. And I only have a single glasses case that normal and sun glasses share. One is on my face, the other in my bacpack in the case. Has worked well so far :)
xexers 10y ago
I do all of that as well. I also use a vacation checklist.