I understand that all or nothing right? It’s ok to only do one room a day. I just did my vacuuming the other day and I had to move all the furniture and not just go around it because it would only be half done

HEY! ! ! What you doing stealing my self-tyranny rules? ? ? The All Or Nothing rule is mine and you can't have it! ! ! If ya doesn't let it be mine and all mine, I'm gonna take my exalted presence home and have Nothing to do with you! ! !

Would that be an example of what you are calling, "Self-Rules?" The all or nothing rule is one of my own meanest rules, but I have a ton of others that I use in my psychotic efforts to make myself more predictable. Sigh. . . If only that approach worked. . .

I'm working to appreciate the many shades between the extremes.
Balance in all things.

Works in progress.

For what it's worth
Letting myself skim for just the important parts sure makes research easier.

For me, I have all or nothing thoughts, but then nothing gets done. Because I'll lean more toward the "doing nothing" part...

After awhile, I'll at least *start* the project. Tell yourself I will do this thing for just 10 minutes. Set a timer even. Sometimes by just starting to do something, you gain the momentum to keep going with it.

I also keep lists of things that I need to do, to get done. It is so satisfying to cross something off my list. Plus I don't like having these things hanging over my head. Rather just get it done.

You're not alone, Freddy. I think a lot of us tend to do things we *want* to do more often than things we *need* to do. Pleasure before pain. But, stuff has to get done... eventually.

Best wishes to you!

Maybe read books on your problem and how to begin to change your
thinking.

I completely understand that. I am not full blown that way but I find myself thinking along those lines. If a cup needs to be picked up in the living room but there are other cups that need to be picked up too I am like whats the point, I will just wait and clean it all up. I've never thought about it like all or nothing but thats pretty much what you described. I dont have advice other than make your mind up right then to just do a little bit. I find when I give in to my anxiety/phobias they get carried away. Like stickers gross me out and I could so freak out and go postal anytime someone puts one on me or I see them but I have to reign myself in so it doesnt get out of control. On the other hand I have a worm phobia and that one is beyond out of control.

I separate the project into sections. That way, the entire project is getting done, and it's out of the 'all or nothing' part.

All or nothing rule probably causes anxiety. Everything needs to be done immediately. For me I do one chore a day. For example if I do laundry then I don’t do vacuuming. This gives me peace of mind and time to do activities that I enjoy. But I do vacuum the whole place not just one room.