Has anyone tried daily affirmations for self-compassion? I read that self-compassion is really important in OCD recovery, so I wonder if daily affirmations would be helpful. Of course, there could be a fine line before it crosses into compulsion territory. Any tips?
There's an app called I am that will send you notifications of affirmations through out your day! I found it very helpful but it does cost money so I had just done the free trial. I know Google and other calender type apps can set reminders and stuff so maybe that? As long as you aren't using it for reassurance and just being kind to yourself I don't think it's really a compulsion!:)
@Anonymous Thank you! I’ll have to check it out!
Yes I use affirmations and it's helpful. Choose affirmations that resonate with you personally and address areas where you may need encouragement or support. Incorporate affirmations into your daily routine as a positive reinforcement, but avoid excessive repetition or reliance on them as a coping mechanism. Balance affirmations with other self care practices. the key is to use affirmations mindfully and authentically as a tool to cultivate self compassion and positive self regard. If affirmations start to feel like a compulsion or cause distress, it's important to reassess how you're using them and consider alternative strategies for fostering self compassion and emotional well being.
@Anonymous - Thank you so much!
@Juney24 You're welcome. 🙂
Is it possible to seek reassurance from oneself? Because sometimes I try to combat my obsessive thoughts by telling myself, "this is just my OCD. There's no need to be anxious or upset over this unwanted thought. My OCD is telling me things that aren't true." Or if I have an intrusive thought, I'll tell myself, "this is just an intrusive thought, it doesn't reflect who I am as a person. Just because I'm having an intrusive thought about doing something awful doesn't mean I actually want to do that thing. It's just an intrusive thought, it doesn't say anything about my character or desires." Is it okay to do this, or is this another form of reassurance-seeking? I guess basically my question is, is it okay to comfort oneself and remind oneself of the truth, or is this a form of compulsion in itself? I'm just trying to figure out how to respond to my intrusive thoughts and obsessions in a healthy way.
Struggling with OCD, I often find myself being my own worst critic: "I gave into that compulsion" or "I ruminated over this intrusive thought." It's easy to bring ourselves down, but we are all doing our best to fight back against the OCD and we deserve self-care! Personally, I love to pamper myself with a face mask and relaxing music. What about you? How can you be kind and compassionate to yourself today?
What is something you say to yourself or do that helps you get through OCD?
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