Uncovering hidden strengths

I went to the grocery store by myself!!!

my brother passed away october 7 2021. my other older brother passed away this last christmas. it’s been hard but i’ve allowed myself to grieve and process this but not be so harsh on myself this fall, so far. trying to take it day by day.

Finally getting out and about to do things I really wanted to do … things that I’ve put off for a long time.

Listening to a new album that used to make me too anxious. It turned out to be really good, and it doesn't trigger me anymore

I didn't wash my hands before eating lol

Got thru a Hurricane and did not panic 🎉🙏🏼❤️

No longer spending hours trying to outrun a thought! The thoughts can creep in at times, but I am in a completely different place than I was 2 years ago. For those who feel defeated, there is hope! Just hang on for the ride!

Moved to a new city, was so nervous but I’m kind of having a great time!!!

Attended all of my classes and probably did pretty well on a quiz :3

Practicing self compassion combined with response prevention messages 🩵

I am alive!!!! In spite of everything. I’m like a roach! I’m undefeated! Oof I’m tired. But I’m still here.

Understanding that guilt a huge tactic that OCD try’s to use to get me to do compulsions

I woke up this morning and didn’t check my heart rate a bunch of times before getting out of bed!

Being able to push through uncomfortable feelings. I’m finally able to engage into the challenging dating business after having postponed this for my whole life 😅😅😅

I listened to lullabies. I’ve avoided listening to lullabies for at least 20 years

Watching TV shows that used to make me anxious!

I started therapy today and was officially diagnosed with OCD after years of being loosely diagnosed with anxiety/OCD—I feel like I can finally start to recover now that I have an official diagnosis and a specialist to help me.

Coming out of the house even though I’ve felt lonely at home and overwhelmed when I leave my house. I’m trying so hard to combat this anxiety of being alone as well as leaving my house. I lasted about 2 hours and after I went for a small walk to a coffee place around the corner. It doesn’t feel like a lot but I know it is. I hope everyone has been able to have small wins.

Refused (more often) to not check if I was really hearing a sound

Being able to sit in a football stadium and watch a game without running out of there thinking something bad was about to happen or have a medical emergency and no one would be able to get to me fast enough.

My daughter didn't gag from anxiety before dance class. She went inside the studio and refused to go to the restroom which typically signals her brain to gag. She made it through the class and thoroughly enjoyed it ♥️

Reframing my feelings towards things I don't like by learning to be grateful.

Was able to joke around with my boss this week which is usually someone I avoid and am triggered by, a fear of some sort

I practiced erp on my own

Took my medication instead of convincing myself it was contaminated!!

i was finally able to sit in a room with someone who was eating and not get upset ab the sounds (it was my partner so it made it a bit easier)

Not getting down on myself on relapsing a little bit.

I asked a stranger a question that embarrassed me. I was on pins and needles waiting for something bad but I was patient and open to possibilities. And it was ok!

I feel defeated that I lost a lot of weight ever since two months ago. But last night my ruminations and compulsions stopped all of a sudden. I’m hoping to go to the gym and get my gains back 🙏

Understanding the difference between having a high standard and OCD

I continued to eat a food that gave me a lot of intrusive and scary feelings, despite wanting to avoid eating it again.

I finally started my antidepressant.

Ignoring OCD while remaining in the truth of who I am has worked wonders

I got out of bed today.

I invested in a hobby after years of depression and ocd took them all away from me.

I finished an art commission!

I made it to age 30.

Attended church

Not giving into the contamination obsession that’s on the top of my hierarchy list. Not exactly a small thing, but something that I’ve been very shocked at my ability to do despite the immense anxiety I felt in the beginning!

I’m able to have my shower curtain be closed and learned to sit with the feelings of being uncomfortable and learned to be okay with that.

The fact that I am starting to notice when OCD is trying to cause me to ruminate and I choose to focus on what I want to do instead of giving it what it wants. Even as an OCD conqueror, that can still be tricky to catch. So I’m proud of myself for how far I’ve come!

I bought something I wanted even though my brain told me it will make me broke

My husband is taking classes toward his MPH…in his Zoom this week they were discussing foodborne illness - a BIG trigger for me. But I sat there and continued what I was doing instead of fleeing to the next room 😂

Pushing through on exposures when I felt I had set backs

Ignoring my incertainty and going and doing what I want but that was Wednesday couldn’t do it today or yesterday

In therapy, we were able to discuss my core fear and I felt like a lightbulb went off

i get stuck in loops of replaying parts of videos, songs, and needing to make myself feel perfect when doing it. that ends up making me swallow a lot, sometimes hurt myself, but i got out of a loop pretty quickly the other day!!

I have been working at fighting OCD but its not working very well. I just need grit yall

Being able to go to work this past week.

I was able to hang out with my aunt today! I’m normally very nervous hanging out with people by myself, but I was able to do it today and I had so much fun 💛

I did my maths homework

I heard a scream outside the other day, got very scared I was hallucinating. I accepted that maybe I was, didn’t ask for reassurance. An hour later, when speaking with my dad, I heard the same yell again, and he did too. Turns out I wasn’t, and I think I started trusting my senses again. :)

My MTOCD got at me while making pancakes for my partner. I felt like curling up on the couch and leaving the partially finished batter sitting on the kitchen counter. But I kept on making the batter, told OCD "Maybe..." and pulled through.

Resiliency! ❤️💪🏻

Going to a gig with my friend this week!

I was able to watch a resume of an episode that was really triggering for me

i got 8 hours of sleep instead of worrying about cleaning things

Instead of ruminating on others emotions or tones after a conversation, I reminded myself I am not responsible to monitor others emotions or “fix” things

That I’ve been able to hold out from doing my safety behaviour longer than I have back then

Delaying compulsions as a “passive”, exposure! Have done this throughout the week as topics have been shifting, and it has been so so helpful. At this stage I feel that I am thriving with OCD. Despite still experiencing symptoms to varying degrees (depends on various factors), I feel very grateful to be here now

I’m going to take a walk outside with my daughter today. That is something for me to proud of myself for.

I was in a theatre production and had an amazing time! No anxiety 🎉💝🎉

Going college while having ocd and bipolar 2 and not giving up. Having mental health issues is hard

i washed my hands once before going to bed!!!

Finally drove out today to see my cute nephew and niece! It's worth it!

Nice wins everyone!!

Not sorting the quart delis at work.

My medication seems to continue to work. I can’t feel a certain way, how I used to feel when something stresses me out. I can feel a teeny tiny stress but it doesn’t go beyond that.

I caught myself at some point while viewing content on social media that I knew could make my OCD worse and turned it off

This week, I faced a new and unexpected fear—out of nowhere, I got scared of going to the bathroom because I was worried I’d hurt someone. Initially, I avoided it, but then I approached my fear and went to the bathroom anyway. The intrusive thoughts and false memories have felt so real and disturbing, and even though I’m still very much afraid, I’m not giving in to my OCD. I’ve wanted to seek reassurance or mentally go over past events in my head, but I’m proud to say I haven’t given in to any compulsions. It’s tough, but it feels like a small win on this journey.

Listened to a playlist of love and breakup songs without engaging in compulsions

Seeing extended family without hiding in my room all weekend :)

Managing my thoughts

I am new to the idea of ocd concerning sexual compulusions..and embarrassed that I am 74 years old. This all began slowly 3 or 4 years ago but now it is beginning to haunt me daily. The compulsive thoughts are so out of touch concerning my values and descipline..

Using my response prevention language to take the level of discomfort down is such a win

I stayed at work after being around kiddos who weren’t feeling well

Experiencing an intense episode of anxiety triggered by intrusive thoughts about my recent OCD diagnosis, feeling like I absolutely could not handle the discomfort, and making it through. I’m trying to teach my body it can handle this feeling but it is the most difficult thing I have ever faced 💔

I didn’t breakdown in front of my friend

i only have ocd sometimes now. It doesn't control my life anymore

Less time ruminating

Felt like myself again putting in effort during class

I’m 7 months pregnant and I’ve finally gotten used to making boundaries even if it makes people uncomfortable. I don’t give in to the anxiety like I usually would! The anxiety passes and my boundaries have been respected ☺️

Following through on this

I wanted to put all the items in mynshopping cart back and start shopping all over because I got nervous about SRUFF that went by my cart. I did exchange the bakery items cuz they are not really closed tightly but everything else I kept. If you knew Meg you would know that I have put a while cart back in the past do though not perfect....a step in the right direction!

I have a general overall calmness that I didn’t have before.