Cancellation OCD

ive had this exact theme torment me. i became a teen right when “cancelling” became a thing. i had nights where i couldn’t sleep and was shaking because i was so scared and ashamed of being cancelled. i did insane things such as deleting my online presence, confessing to my friends, praying at the church. everything that you can think of and i didn’t even know it was OCD. the way i got over it was dealing with the uncertainty, realizing i was so worried about something that MIGHT happen. so i just thought, if it were to happen id rather deal with it when it comes and enjoy the time i have now.

I can relate. When I was thirteen I "stumbled" onto a pedestal one summer. I had skeletons in my closet then that I was afraid of getting out, but also being so young I made mistakes with that influence that's packed my closet even tighter. Whenever I see myself potentially ending up in that position again, I get VERY uncomfortable despite my desires. I ruminate on every detail of every mistake I -ever- made. I was preparing what I would say, how I'd address it. If it was my place to address it all! Walking on imaginary eggshells. But it gets tired very fast. Especially after seeing the cycle rinsed and repeated to every single person with influence online. You made mistakes, you learned from them. No amount of scrutinizing or prosecuting is going to change what happened, if people care at all. And if you've learned your lesson, you sat through the lecture already. Don't let this fear take away from your hardwork and those appreciating it. I promise you, even in the 1% of chance you lose everything from being canceled, no one is going to regret the time they had. All that matters is right now.

Yup, all the time! I’ve said some stuff I’m not proud of, thankfully not online. But it didn’t come from malice, came from a place of complete ignorance and immaturity. I was 13/14 at the time and i didn’t know. Thankfully teens today know what’s right and wrong, I didn’t. But I’m so grateful that’s I’ve grown and educated now, but I’m always in fear that’ll what I said and did will come to light. But i personally think it’s society that’s in the wrong. Not everyone has to forgive you, but they can’t hold what you said/did against you forever. Cancel culture doesn’t recognise growth and it’s sad. Cause I personally think growth is a beautiful thing. To better yourself is a huge accomplishment that shouldn’t be overshadowed by what you did.

Yes, there’s quite a few posts weekly on the fear of being canceled.

All the dang time