Trying to be positive.

Hello everyone! I’m starting to recognize when my thoughts begin to spiral, when i’m seeking reassurance or checking. But I still have the sense of uneasiness and anxiety. I was wondering what others do that allow them to move forward with their day when they realize this? I don’t know if I’m making sense, but what are ways you pull the focus back to the present and yourself? Like besides saying “maybe or maybe not”, more like what do you do with yourself after you recognize the thoughts? I feel like I’m at a “now what?” and don’t know what to do with my anxious energy. I’m trying to find something physical to help me so if you also have any hobbies or interests that help I would love to hear it.

I’ve been really struggling lately with identifying whether I feel a certain way about a situation or people around me or if I’m having intrusive thoughts. Lately, I’ve noticed talking it out with a friend is my first line of defense, sometimes just verbalizing those thoughts can help me hear what I’m saying, and actually start to process how I feel. I do get caught up in making the right decision after that, and it weighs on me heavily, and this is when I struggle to take action or become distant with others that’re in said situation. I try to do more grounding techniques and things that make me happy, I tend to try to focus on something like work or household chores and then relax with a good Gordon Ramsey show hehehe, but I still sit with that confusion of whether this is how I feel? What if it’s just an intrusive thought? What if I’m making the wrong decision or what if I don’t have grounds to feel the way I think I am feeling. This is when talking it out helps for me, but I still always have that inkling that I’m making the wrong decision regardless of what I choose. Does anyone have any coping skills suggestions to aid in this sort of struggle? I feel like it can be quite common to be stuck in those mental gymnastics with your ocd and I’m really curious what you guys do to help process these feelings yourself. I tend to spend time with my pets, watch a show, call a friend, but I’m curious if maybe there’s a recommendation that would work for me that I haven’t tried : ) thank you all for listening!! This is my first community post hehehe

Hi wonderful people. I hope you’re all doing well. This isn’t a specifically OCD rant but it is related and I was wondering if anyone had any advice or insights. I desperately want an ESA. College has been literally the first time in my life where Im not around some sort of pet 24/7- we always had at least 1 cat and or dog, usually 2 of each. I rely on my furbabies a lot for emotional support and not having them the last few years in college has been excruciating. I know how silly this sounds and Ive been angry with myself for getting so worked up over it. But lately every dream Ive had for the last 3 months (i wish I was kidding) is about getting an animal, interacting with an animal, petting an animal, caring for an animal, etc. I would likely already have a pet with me (my cat Monster) if it wasnt for the fact my roommate is deathly allergic to cats. I couldn’t ask for a better roommate so I’d rather not move. So I did research on rats and did the math on all the financials (vet bills included) and I was really interested in talking to my landlord. But my mom vetoed the idea because during summers they would be at their home with me, and she thinks its unethical to keep cats and dogs with small animals in the same home, which I understand but is frustrating. I wanted to start petsitting for my neighbors but my mom also vetoed that because they’re strangers. Ive tried volunteering but no places nearby are accepting volunteers with my schedule, I even tried coaxing the outdoor/stray cats over on my afternoon walks and they want nothing to do with me (understandable, honestly.) I know this is such a first world problem and I shouldnt be this worked up over it but I cant stop obsessing and thinking and wanting an ESA to help out with the stress of everything. When I was growing up I had 2 guinea pigs who really helped with my OCD flare ups and knowing they felt safe made me felt safe, and my cat always comes over to cuddle while Im sad. I really want that again. Thanks for listening, apologies for the long and slightly off topic rant. If anyone has any advice it would be so appreciated.