NOCD

User type: Staff

Date posted: 12w

A letter to my younger self with OCD

"If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?" If you're living with OCD, this question might bring up a range of emotions, from grief to gratitude. For Stacy Quick, reflecting on the past brings back memories of a childhood consumed by OCD: endless prayers, excessive handwashing, and the crushing belief that every tragedy was somehow her fault. But this question also reveals something powerful for Stacy: how much she's learned since then. After finally being diagnosed with OCD, finding the right treatment, and becoming a specialized therapist who has helped others with the same condition, Stacy knows exactly what she’d tell her younger self. As Stacy puts it: Your thoughts don’t make you a bad person, and you are not responsible for things beyond your control. The feelings will pass, the uncertainty can become manageable, and you can learn to let go of the things that weigh you down and steal your joy. Read Stacy's full letter to her younger self with OCD about what she wishes someone had told her years ago—and what might help you today.

GazJones79

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

I would tell my younger self, “Your thoughts do not represent you. You’re not a bad person and will get through this!”❤️

Someonemaybe

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

@GazJones79 I love that🥹. Would’ve been so nice to hear that for sure.

ivrec

Date posted: 12w

I would tell myself that these thoughts bother you because they are intrusive and a false alarm. They will pass if you just go in with your day and the anxiety will fade.

NOCD

User type: Staff

Date posted: 12w

Such a true and important message!

GazJones79

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

@ivrec Very true, the more you fight against it, the stronger OCD returns

Thornhill

Date posted: 12w

This blows my mind because only yesterday I wrote a letter to myself! Mine was a 'remember these pointers when it's rough' thing for when I'm not as well as now! Like 'these are your tools and sun will eventually rise etc'

Someonemaybe

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

Go to therapy, you won’t figure this out on your own! That’s petty much it. Though i probably wouldn’t have listened. Excellent post!!

GazJones79

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

@Someonemaybe Yep, I wish I had found my therapist at NOCD a lot sooner! Comforting that there is a lot more information and support on OCD now

pokemelon

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

@Someonemaybe Literally NEVER would’ve made it this far without ERP guided by a therapist. I agree without proper guidance it can be risky & just a much harder process in general. Very grateful to have the resources for therapy & healthcare 🩵

Someonemaybe

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

@GazJones79 Absolutely agreed, I’m so glad I’m here. As long as you remain engaged, you really can’t go wrong. Thank you so much for your response🙂!

Someonemaybe

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 12w

@pokemelon I’m so glad you’re here. It’s such a plentiful and positive place to be and learn from. No doubt, i wish i would’ve met my therapist sooner and started therapy so many years ago. But, at least i finally did and hopefully can continue picking up the pieces from here. Thank you so much for your response🙂.

GazJones79

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 11w

@Someonemaybe Yep, having the information is one thing but the true rewards come when you apply the learning to every day OCD situations.

Someonemaybe

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 11w

@GazJones79 Absolutely, that’s the entire thing, applying what we learn makes all the difference. Didn’t take me long to learn electricity can bite lol, got that lesson out of the way as a kid. Too bad it took so long for other things to click. Although i will say earlier year injuries are much better than waiting till you play with bigger things, no doubt 🤣.

Cantfixit

Date posted: 11w

I would tell myself not to be a product of your wrong thinking. Get to know God now so you will really know him when you get older and need him most.

bluefire2235

Date posted: 11w

If I could turn back the clock to 9 years ago when I was 14, I would’ve told little old me to not take in the material from my 8th grade science class that gave me intrusive thoughts. Other then that, I’ve would’ve told middle school me that those thoughts are meaningless and that they can’t hurt me.

Not2Day

Date posted: 11w

"I am all too familiar with the fact that we cannot change the past, and we must come to terms with what is, rather than focusing on what was. The things I went through made me who I am today, and I’m grateful for that. That being said, maybe you’re going through similar hardships, and maybe, just maybe, something I wish I would’ve known back then could be helpful for you." Amen

GazJones79

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 11w

@Anonymous Yes exactly, these experiences make us stronger and allows us to look after our mental health and appreciate inner peace more.

Not2Day

Date posted: 11w

Safest place to be for me right now.

Not2Day

Date posted: 11w

I would tell my younger self that, "You are just fine. Everyone has weird quirks about themselves. You like being different so stop trying to be anything other than that. Who cares if you're not the same. Be silly, be excited, laugh if you want and be goofy. Life is hard enough." "So what you have tom-boy in your and you ride bikes and motor bikes in dresses." So what. Why reduce what you are to make others feel better and then you feel boxed into something that makes you suffocate. Does that make sense to you?

alissaa

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 10w

“One day it will all make sense”

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond