How do you guys not let your mind win?

I work a job at my grandparents house cleaning around their house. For example, pledging areas that need it, using glass cleaner to clean dirty glass.etc My biggest problem is my mind as it’s constantly taking over. When I finish cleaning or doing a task, I literally have to ponder on if I completed the whole task (I stand there for a long time going through “ok, did I get this whole spot clean?” and I ponder on things like did I complete the task and have to stand there until I remember yes I did clean this whole spot. I struggle with moving from task to task. Do you guys have any suggestions for how you can tell your brain this is done without pondering if the task really got done or not? Thanks so much!🩵

it's just a ...

Date posted: 15w

Hey my friend that sounds mentally exhausting and I'm sorry that you are struggling with it. The first question I always want to ask is if you are currently working with an OCD specialist and doing ERP, as this is of course the most effective path to long-term recovery. That being said, I have a few thoughts and suggestions. You asked How can you tell your brain this is done and to stop pondering over it? Well, that's just the thing - you're telling your brain that over and over again, and it just keeps coming back with "yeah, but MAYBE" or "but what IF" and is never satisfied. OCD always has one more "what if" question than you have an answer for. The trick is to demonstrate to that part of your brain that you don't NEED certainty, that it's not a question of proving these thoughts to be true or false, but that they DON'T MATTER in the first place. Easier said than done, and this is why guided ERP therapy is so important, but if you'd like to read on here are a few simple tactics you could try using in the moment. One is the classic strategy of telling your brain "You know what, maybe that's true, and maybe it isn't. Can never know for sure" - and then just moving on to the next task and working through the discomfort and anxiety. Another tactic - my favorite, but be warned it's not for everyone, and in any case could be one to work your way up to - is to really lean into the "what if" and take it to a ridiculous extreme to the point it becomes laughable (I mean literally you might find yourself laughing out loud). My brain tells me, "What if you forgot to do X?" and I say "You know what brain, I bet you're 100% right! I bet I didn't do X! Oh, well!" and then come up with the most outlandish chain of events/consequences that could somehow result from my forgetting to do X, leaving OCD nowhere else to go. You can think of it as kind of mental ju-jitsu, using your opponent's strength against them. I hope at least some of this is of some help to you, and please reach out anytime to this community, you're not alone and we are all here for each other.

GreenTurtle098

Date posted: 15w

@it's just a thought Can I ask for some support please? 18+? On Pocd if that’s okay?

it's just a ...

Date posted: 15w

@GreenTurtle098 - Hey sorry for not being able to reply earlier, saw your post but winding down an extra busy week at work. Happy to help in any way that I can. Have you been working with an OCD therapist yet at all? You're dealing with something that can feel so overwhelming and emotionally draining, and having the right professional guidance and evidence-based treatment is so important.

Orangegirly

Date posted: 14w

@it's just a thought Hey! It is mentally exhausting! It’s ok, it’s just frustrating! I am currently not working with an OCD specialist, but hope to be soon!! That’s absolutely true, my OCD for sure is never satisfied and is constantly playing tricks on me. I love when you say to tell your brain it doesn’t need certainty and that these thoughts don’t matter. Working through the discomfort and anxiety and moving on to the next task is something I will definitely try!! I love that mental ju-jitsu tactic! Tricking OCD could definitely work! All of this helps so much! Thank you so much for replying to me and for the great suggestions!! Thank you for the uplifting words as well!

it's just a ...

Date posted: 14w

@Orangegirly - @Orangegirly glad to be of help! Eager to hear how some of these tactics work for you. Please reach out anytime!

Orangegirly

Date posted: 13w

@it's just a thought Will do!

Anonymous

Date posted: 25w

I want my life back!!!

I want my life back! I was always a great cleaner, neat, etc but not compulsive ely. Now because of my fears in my own home and elsewhere, I avoid cleaning the way I should. I actually have to psych myself up to do it and my house is just a mess!!! Has anyone been in this situation and found a way to get mote accomplished at home and elsewhere (shopping, etc) without it taking so long????? I would appreciate any helpful comments. Thank you!!!

Dude01

Date posted: 21w

How do you deal with "undefined" things?

So I think what's been so specifically tough for me (idk if this is what others go through with the real event stuff) is that ... Well I basically have this mental system... - Something has been dealt with -- which means it's "ok" it's "acceptable" assessment of ___. Rumination to "problem solve" with the intrusive thought. - CONSTANT inquiries to Challenge that previous assessment conclusion i.e. "no that hasn't actually been deal with, you didn't think about ____ or this other angle or this other new thing related to it" etc. Idk how tf you fix that with ERP? Idk up from down at this point Is the "system" OCD? Should people not try to problem solve (even though it's actually rumination)? Should I not engage with the "challenges?" HOW TF does Peace of Mind actually happen when the answers seem to be "you must be delusional" or "you must leave (significant) things un-dealt with / open ended" Like, what's that actual solution here? Hopefully this made sense. Thanks

Real Events OCD

splootpig

Date posted: 16w

Messy Behavior with OCD

I never heard about people with OCD who have messy living conditions. Maybe this is why it took so long to accept my diagnosis. Although I really dont like how OCD is percieved at by the majority of people, I feel like Im weird or something because I dont fit into that stereotype. I understand that a lot of people with OCD have this issue, but why do I feel so different? If anybody else has/had this belief, what helps with feeling more comfortable? Everytime my mom points out my room, and how its messy- Its like I feel so lazy and useless. So then I often plan out everything I was going to do, step by step, always having a reasoning behind everything, because logic always comforts me. When I start tidying up my room, I go full out (Sheets, Laundry, Clorox, Candles, Vaccuming, Then I start going through the guinea pigs cage to rearranging all of their stuff) Yet always somewhere after doing a few things, I start feeling disgusting and almost shameful of myself. 99% of the time I end up laying on my floor sobbing, noting every little thing about my room. How my furiniture doesnt match, how i would rather have solid floor like hardwood or vinyl instead of the carpet, usually things i cant change… and then barely anything gets done in my room. I start to have a meltdown and often dont take care of myself even more afterwards. A piece of me feels like my thoughts are just me being a spoiled brat and wanting everything i dont have- meanwhile others dont even have a roof over their head. The other piece of me is just tired, just emotionally exaughsted. Please comment any thoughts or recomendations to maybe improve motovation and attitude towards doing long tasks.

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How do you guys not let your mind win?

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