Comment on How do I deal with the outside world when I have germaphobia and don't really like outside?
Tujio@lemmy.world 18 hours ago
Same, dude. Gave myself surface germaphobia during a plague that turns out doesn’t really transmit via surfaces. I’ve made lots of rituals over the years about the objects that I touch. Hand sanitizer everywhere, cell phone sanitizer, gloves, etc. Went a little too far for a while, now I’m also trying to crawl back into normalcy.
Biggest positive change I’ve made recently is this: if I’m not eating finger food, what the fuck does it matter if my hands are dirty? I’ve got my cell phone in my hand right now, I’m touching the TV remote, I’ve got a can of beer. Not freaking out. I’m gonna scrub my hands like a surgeon before I eat this bag of chips, but right now? Fine.
Still got some hangups about doorknobs and sink handles, but I’m miles better than I was a few years ago.
mirshafie@europe.pub 10 hours ago
Hey, sounds like you really recognized how to balance a real need for sanitation with keeping sane in a world that is often indifferent.
This is just common sense in the end. I’m kind of grossed out that people don’t wash their hands before eating with their hands in Europe. Compared to the Middle East where the dustiest falafel shack has a sink with soap right by the entrance, I’d say it’s a weird cultural quirk.
Same goes for the kitchen of the vast majority of people where I live. Why no soap by the sink? Some actually wash their hands with dish soap which is really bad for your skin, but most just use water only. I try to politely ask if I can gift them some soap when I visit. Helps keep me sane.
Your hands are made to interface with the world. They will get dirty, and that’s fine. You just need to get the gunk off them before touching your face or vagina.
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 7 hours ago
My face is itchy and I wanna touch it all the time 🙃