ADHDers might call this a “hyperfocus” or the kind of obsession which resembles a hobby. Some activity that you think about at work all day and have to tear yourself away from to do anything else. I know it sounds like addiction, and it can look like one, but it always passes. Creative people might call it a muse?
I’m just on the tail end of one (Doom mapping), but no longer to the point I’ll skip eating in order to do it. So will probably be moving on soon.
Does this sound familiar? What are your obsessions like for you? Do you get them? Have you ever had one?
I’m not doing a full cleaning, just a field strip. I do want to get an ultrasonic cleaner to dip the trigger group into, though.
But yeah, I’ve been taking things apart and putting them back together for a long as I can remember. I had a little slot car track when I was seven or so, and I’d take the electric motors from the cars apart and clean them, taking lap times before and after to see how much faster a clean motor would go.
You sound like a very patient person.
I was when I was seven. Then it was just pure curiosity. Puberty made me bitter and angry, and while I’ve since always gained some enjoyment from making things work, it’s been mostly about necessity since then.
Like for your mental health, or liked you just feel compelled to?
Oh I wouldn’t call it compulsion by any stretch. Just something I enjoy. I did some motorized bicycles for a time, that was fun. Kind of like a 3d puzzle that does something. On the other hand, I’m not a fan of just “puzzles”, cardboard pieces in a box. Not big on Lego really either. I really want my functional 3d puzzles to include explosions somewhere.
Ah that sounds nice. Maybe “driven” would be a better word than “compelled.”
Kind of related (in my mind anyway) but I love those videos of people restoring really antique devices like vices or hand crank motors. I find the sounds really satisfying. I’m curious how much of the appeal for you is sensory in addition to the functional aspect.
My pastimes’ sounds are the tapping of keys and scratching and rustling sounds of paper. Not as satisfying but I’m really into words and symbols and leaving little marks everywhere.
This is too good
I have enjoyed the semi-ASMR automotive videos, with tool sounds. I grew up in my dad’s shop, and I’ve always loved tool sounds.
You may also like Wristwatch Revivals on YT, those are very fiddly.