- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
Don't Be Discouraged
Lately, I've been getting a lot of "bumps n bruises" from my OCD. I've been living with OCD for over two years now (I think) and the OCD loves trying to make me feel discouraged. That because it's been a couple years with OCD, that I'm supposed to not have any days, or weeks with any stumbles, or tough moments. I've learned early on that the main goal of recovery is to learn how to live YOUR life the way YOU want and NOT how the OCD wants you to live. Making the goal be "I completely get rid of the intrusive thoughts, or anxiety to feel recovered!" Is not it. Because I feel when we make that the goal and let's say we've gone days without any stumbles, but the next we stumble. Then it's easy to get in the mindset of, "I thought I was getting better". I had a rough moment today but I persevered. I pray at night and often thank God for a good day. But the days I have a stumble, the OCD LOVES trying to stop me from saying my day was good. It tries to "stain" my day. Trying to only let me see the tough part and not that I continued on with my day. I was messaging my therapist when I realized that's what the OCD does. Try's to block our view to where we only see our stumbles and not how far we've come, or the fact we continue on. I write this to remind you, especially myself, to not be discouraged. To not self ourselves short. What we live with is no "walk in the park". I am right there with you because I myself felt alone, scared, feeling like a monster, and misdiagnosed. I myself have to remember to not lose focus of what recovery really means. I sometimes worry that I'm not doing "enough", or "what if I'm not using all the tools I've learned in the two years". One thing I'm blessed to have is the ability to recognize the OCD. To know that is the OCD talking. Trying to insert fear into any nook an cranny. Trying to plant the seed of doubt. I promise you that you are not alone. No matter the sub-type of OCD you struggle with. Pretty sure I'm living with about four sub types myself, so I'm there with you. We all are. That's why NOCD is great. We all can understand each other and feel safe to share because we all live a life with OCD. Don't lose focus. Do your best to be present and work with your therapist. One thing I often pray for is to continue to be blessed with courage and confidence! I feel confidence is super essential is combatting OCD. The OCD doesn't like to see us be courageous, or confident. OCD is a bully, man. One thing I remind myself of when the OCD is attacking heavy, is that it's jealous. That I'm doing well and it doesn't like that. Maybe that can be a little bit of encouragement! Knowing that the OCD strikes so much because it recognizes we are warriors and won't back down. I may get knocked around by the OCD, some times 24/7 but I made a promise to myself early on in my recovery that I will do whatever I can to continue living a life with OCD. I thank God for leading me here to NOCD and I have faith OCD treatment will only get better and more readily available to the world. Psalms 23:4💚