Does anyone else count everything?

[Canopop]

I count everything, not in seconds or anything meaningful just arbitrary counting. Just caught myself counting while I’m filling my mug from the kettle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 I know it always takes 7 to fill my green mugs … is this normal do other people do this? It doesn’t impact my life remotely and I’m very chill person nice job lovely family etc no trauma… just thought maybe it’s not completely normal to count everything but maybe it is?

Oh I love that quirkiness!

I count. I don’t count the time it takes to do things, but if I see a car wheel on the street or on TV say, I need to count the spokes. Or the number of windows in a building. If I’m sitting in my bathroom, I count the number of tiles in a row (despite knowing how many there are).
I’m relieved to hear others count things too.

I don’t count, although it’s fascinating to read, especially that so many of you have the same number preferences.

But I do read things backwards, read car number plates as if they’re words, and make anagrams out of word I see out and about. Mostly in my head but sometimes like to say a satisfying one out loud.

YES! I do this too. Not with anything to do with time, though, so I don't do the counting the seconds it takes people to leave the room that you mentioned, or counting how long it takes to pour/fill something, but 100% yes to counting "how many"... Number of passes I make when I'm grating cheese, number of slices it takes if I'm cutting veg., how many strokes of the brush when I'm brushing my hair, etc, etc.

And yes, I definitely count (in my head) whenever I'm going up or down steps.

I'm 99% sure I'm undiagnosed autistic and I always thought it was something to do with that until adult DS2 randomly asked me if I do it (because they noticed they do, and thought it was odd.) Out of my two sons, DS2 has zero signs of any autistic traits, at all, whereas DC1 has loads, but he doesn't do the counting thing. Humans are just weird...

I count things when they need to be counted. Thats it.

I count the stairs at home and steps in other places.
I count the number of pulses when the coffee machine is pouring water. How random is that?

i do it. If i ever see a cargo train i always count the number of carriages. I count all sorts of things, and sometimes it bugs me sometimes not.

I knit too, so if i have to count x number of stitches then do y thing, i often carry on counting the next lot of stitches even if i don't.

Fully expect someone (I have not RTFT) to say it is related to ADHD

Yes, I did this till it became intrusive and I had to get therapy to help, as I could no longer read a book for counting! I still do ‘normal’ counting of steps etc, patterns, shelves etc but I used to in a really weird way - the only way I could describe it was like, imagine I was counting the letters in the word WEIRD - the answer would be 12 - 5 letters, 4 spaces in between them, 1 space at each end and then 1 for the overall word,

that kind of counting was mentally exhausting!!!

All of the time but I am diagnosed Audhd/ocd. Say if I am drinking a can of coke I am mentally counting how many swallows I drink at a time for no reason just I count the gulps going down. I do count other ridiculous things all in my head of course but I totally know what you mean and because I do it I find it normal. I prefer odd numbers to even ones though and have an aptitude for numbers. Sometimes when I am going for a wee for absolutely no reason other than my brain needs to be doing something at the same time I will count the seconds it takes me to pee and this is an added on thing and nothing to do with the counting but I have to take my glasses off when going for a wee too. No idea why but I have always done it.

Yes sometimes, mostly if rushing or bored lol

I count things. I think that counting stairs started when we had either a long power-cut or a bulb out for a while on the landing/stairs. It has since proven to be very useful, as I can carry an overflowing laundry basket downstairs- or just get anywhere in a power-cut- without falling down the stairs!

I also count to time something that is otherwise unmarked, and entirely unclear, at work.

If I'm anxious, I sometimes find myself counting steps or hand movements. I'm unsure as to whether this is a comfort thing, or a distraction technique!

To get to sleep I think of words. Like elephant and then I have to think of one that starts with the last letter of the word before. So elephant, tango, orange, exhibition and on and on.

I don’t think about counting not even on stairs. But then I don’t like numbers.

I don’t do this but I love you all and love this thread. Thank you for sharing! I memorise car number plates (not on purpose) and I love finding out what other people think about. 😀

my DC like the volume on the car to be an even number (if they see it getting changed) but i like it on an odd number, preferably a prime. If i'm out with DH and we have numbered seats, i have to have the ticket with the odd number (but i always sit on his left, we''re like Ant & Dec in that respect, so i often sit in the even numbered seat...)

yes i count everything - always have. find it comforting. Steps, cars, books on a shelf, time remaining on a timer.

Yes, I do that. Only became aware of it about a year ago, when I realised I was counting so many things during the day. I've tried stopping, but can't seem to manage.

Oooh I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone but I count angles or straight edges that I can see in my environment. Constantly. So for example, I would count how many edges there are in a room, so where each wall meets the ceiling and floor, including edges of chimney breast walls etc. I’ve done it forever, like a constant background to whatever I’m doing. It’s not a stress thing or an ND thing. Just a me thing !

I count things too and also add a visual of the number in my head so it's like the dots on a dice. I also count when I'm drinking as I like to have ten swallows. Haha my obsession with keeping hydrated I guess?
My mind is always busy and I have a constant dialogue going on in my head. I've been tested for ADHD and I have traits but not ND.

I count things (usually steps but other things too) when I am tired and stressed. In fact for me it’s a tell that I should take a break if I can. I do have ADHD but I dont think it’s really related to this.

So glad I’ve found a lot of my people here 😁 I brush my teeth in sets of 8 counts on each quadrant, and repeat… surely even those who aren’t counters count a BIT when they brush teeth?! Right?

Not everything. But I do count a lot.

I do and I hate it but can't seem to stop.
I'm not neurodivergent

I count steps on stairs when Im going up and down. Always have, remember doing it as a child.

I find it comforting.

No! I don't even know when my next period is due. I rarely know the date unless staring at a calendar. I couldn't tell you how many pairs of pants I own. I am the opposite of you 😂
I habe adhd and am very good at mental arithmetic but I don't cound anything.

Im an odd number preference person. I prefer (strongly!!!) to only have an odd number of ice cubes in a drink. I buy tins in sets of 3's where possible.....
the best numbers are 3, 7 and 21 🤷🏽‍♀️
This thread has made me realise how county I am 🫣