Can you direct your obsession?

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I find I get very good at the things I am obsessed about. But I can't control it.


Is there a way to direct this obsession towards something more productive in life? How do u guys do it?

I had two obsessions. One I turned into a job, the other a hobby. Both seem to have benefited others in some way, even if minor, and unintentional. The key is branching out. Each interest had the ability to branch out into other things, despite remaining centered around that one topic. Tell us your obsession, and I may be able to suggest something.

I am too paranoid someone reads this and discerns that it is me. I am a very paranoid person like that...

But I have a hobby that is an income for me but I am only into it now and then... can't seem to control my obsession. I also find it hard to do something when not obsessed about it.

Thanks for the reply

Lack of motivation is probably driven by distraction. I find that I can work on my interests forever, but have to stop for reasons: food, sleep, bathroom, anything really. Once distracted, it's hard for me to go back to work, even if its something I love. I have somehow assigned the task as being a chore, rather than a hobby. This kills the obsession and decreases motivation.

Unfortunately if this sounds like you, I can't help. But if you find a way to remove the stigma of being "work" from your obsession, do let me know.

Also, I have no idea if this is related, but my belief is that people who are manic depressive will obsess over an activity, and then in their depressive state, lose interest, then work obsessively again on the rebound.

You sound exactly like me...

So glad I found this place, so many people I can relate to.


I find that if I can just get into it again I fall into a pit of obsession sometimes... But initiating that is not easy. I sometimes feel to anxious to do anything willpower related.

Do you feel that maybe there's too much to do, and that overwhelms you, causing that anxiety?

I can spend hours on a computer obsessing over something, but can't get motivated because I have to go up stairs, turn on my monitor, open up browsers/programs/files, think about all the stuff I should do, that its just easier to put it off, because its not like I'm being paid for it or anything. People may rely on my hobby as a reference, but they aren't dependant on me.

I will try to leave my work open and ready to continue, hoping that I can by pass all these steps and avoid that anxiety. I just happen to be chilling in my office, my work just happens to still be open, THAT becomes my distraction, and it's easy to continue where I left off. Problem is, this rarely is the case because I had to restart my computer for some reason, or someone did it for me. But perhaps this isn't a problem for you. Whatever your work is, can you leave it spread out as a reminder and possible task remover?

Another thing that may help is to surround yourself with your obsession. If your hobby is your income you have a reason to be proud of that, so reminding yourself of the end result of your work may motivate you to continue. In my office I have various merchandise that represents both my work and my hobby, each one an achievement IMO. ...although I still have problems with motivation, so it's not like I can say that this helps

Again, you sound very, very much like me. I appreciate your responses.

I think procrastination is caused by thinking of everything that needs to be done to get started, but the anxiety is just ASD I believe. It cripples me some days. Can't read, can't be productive. I can only do something I am obsessing about.

I some days get very obsessed and then I wonder, "Why did I not just start, I could have made money and would have been so productive!"

Everything is stochastic and this might be contributing to my anxiety. I have little control.

Depends on the practicality of the thing you want to keep pursuing.

If they're close, sort of. I find it challenging to make things I really need to be obsessed about (body language, social skills), but like changing IT fields somewhat works.

I'm very similar. I try to work with my procrastination and stochastic behaviour. Some days I wake up and work until I go to bed, other days I wake up and don't do anything the entire day. I try not to stress over it and remind myself that I'm working from home so that I can have this flexibility. Appreciate the days you had to yourself and you will feel relaxed and ready to work the next day.

As for directing it, my obsessions are all related somehow. If you want to make more money out of your hobby, it would be a good idea to make a plan and set goals. It could help cut down on superfluous tasks.

I think this is quite effective. I leave my work open on my computer all the time. It helps to remove barriers to starting and distractions. The easiest way to do this is to separate your areas of work and play. Have a room to work in at home, when you enter/leave that room you enter/leave work physically which helps you enter/leave it mentally. Have a separate room for entertainment/relaxing so when you're there you don't have any work reminders.