What does it mean to let go?

So much of the advice I have heard about treating obsessive/compulsive behaviors and anxiety is about "letting go". What does this mean? Does this imply I am "holding onto" something? What does it mean to "hold onto" something? How did I "pick it up" in the first place? Is "letting go" a positive act, like deciding to do something, or a negative act, like deciding to not do something? Is this something I can just decide to do, or does it require practice or preparation? Are there studies in psychology about people who practice "letting go"? Is this related to the ego? Where can I find answers to these questions?

Username: Anon.Anon.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

I think this is an awesome question! I think part of it can go beyond the scope of OCD though (for example, letting go in codependent relationships, letting go of resentments, letting go of expectations, letting go of the need to be right, etc. etc.). For me, in regards to OCD, letting go is letting go of the need to control the outcome of a situation, whether that is real or complete mental activity. My compulsions are my attempt to control the outcome of the situation. ERP helped teach me how to better embrace uncertainty, in turn making me better be able to let go of control. For me, it’s not some switch I flip (although I’ve had experiences like this). It’s more of a skill I become better at over time. Some days I’m better at it, or more willing to be uncomfortable (embracing uncertainty for me is not the comfortable thing usually), than other days. I try to look at recovery as a marathon not a sprint.

Username: Lavender Fields!! Lavender Fie...

Date posted: 1y ago

@Anon. Yes, very good!! 🙏😉😍

Username: EstridEstrid

Date posted: 1y ago

Really good questions! And yes it does imply that we are holding onto something. Obsessions can't live on their own, they need our attention and engagement. When we let go we just notice and say no to interaction with the thought.

Username: Erin PErin P

Date posted: 1y ago

I can answer this in terms of disturbing or obsessive thoughts - letting go in this case means labeling the thoughts as OCD and letting them pass by instead of getting stuck (link below). For anxiety in general this could mean not stressing and worrying but moving on from /letting go of the worry. But for OCD aside from letting thoughts go by and not fixating on then the best treatment is to go towards the fear and accept the uncertainty and risk not let it go. Example of basic ERP concepts (though the teen is not used) is in the 2nd link. https://www.shalanicely.com/aha-moments/shoulders-back-the-man-in-the-park/ https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqts1uGCm468oPTFWkQ4Ewb4tMUrKYqOC

Username: Mr.ocdMr.ocd

Date posted: 1y ago

I like your explanation i definitely feel like there are steps on how to make it easier to deal with with instrusive thoughts, first acknowledge the thoughts accepting its prescence and letting it go by letting it stay as long as it wants. And youll automatically just let go of the thoughts letting them float by the stream of consciousness with all the other silly thoughts that dont scare us.

Username: Erin PErin P

Date posted: 1y ago

@Mr.ocd Thanks.

Username: FJustRightOCDFJustRightOCD

Date posted: 1y ago

Letting go of a need for certainty, for control, and instead accepting uncertainty, trying to be present in the moment

Username: Kamisamahaji...

Date posted: 2y ago

Part of my OCD is always trying to get into the bottom of things (if I freak out thinking about death or illness or losing someone or contamination, then I will roam all the internet for searching for informations on the subject even though it worsens my anxiety and never leaves me with a "clean" feeling of certainty or peace or acceptance). And recently I realized that if I have an anxious thought that arises in my mind it'll just go away if I leave it be and don't stop what I'm doing. But stupidly enough I feel guilty for doing that because I get the feeling that I should engage more with my fears and if I just ignores them and they go away I'm worsening the situation ... What is the line between ignoring the problem by distracting yourself and simply allowing your mind to move on ?

Username: ambrOseCD

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

What does “do nothing” mean?

My therapist keeps telling me to do nothing with the anxiety. Just let it pass on its own. It seems like everything is considered a compulsion: Slowing down your breathing Going out in nature Doing yoga Anything you do to “manage” your anxiety is a compulsion. So what does “do nothing” actually mean?

Username: mantradragon

Date posted: 1y ago

Letting Myself Feel?

Hello! Now I'm trying to let all these thoughts come to my head and accept the anxiety that's coming with them without challenging them - just leaving then unanswered. But my head keeps telling me things like, 'but maybe that actually was a bad thing you did, and you're just trying to push it away' or 'you might still go to hell, because this might not be OCD but you just being a bad person and trying to ignore it.' I can recognize all these as OCD thoughts but they undermine my coping strategies. Does this stuff get better with time and practice?

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What does it mean to let go?

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