Rumination- how to stop it?

I struggle with ruminating on things I did that I deem “cringey” or I feel others may judge me for. For example, we had a very fun and friendly work “Olympics” that I got roped into organizing. The planning process itself was stressful because I am very organized and the ladies I worked to plan it with are organized it their own different ways. That aside, the day came together very nicely. Everyone had fun, nothing went wrong, we had to time everything perfectly (we have people who flew in from out of town and had to leave at a very specific time) and there was only one game that had to be reworked to fit. Objectively it was a very good day and came together very well. However, my brain seems to want to focus on and play on a loop the one singular game I played that I completely fudged. After telling everyone not to hold the child sized bow and arrow a certain way, I of course, held it that way and proceeded to mess up, not once, but four times. A lot - but not all - of the participants were watching and my hands began to shake and I feel it was noticeable. I was the only one to struggle with it so my brain tells me everyone saw it and they were talking about it behind my back and judging me for not being able to do the thing I said not to do. Then I spiral and think of the other slightly cringey moments that I didn’t even necessarily mess up I just had a lot of anxiety during, and a lot of yes on me, and felt it was noticeable. How do you stop the rumination ? I can distract myself with a show or a book or something but it only lasts so long and then BAM the memory pops up in my brain like one of my Inside Out Emotions hit the wrong button. This is a very mild case of ruminating for me, yet I still physically cringe anytime the thought occurs. Any tips would be appreciated.

sploosh

Date posted: Yesterday

One thing that has been working for me lately is saying something that grounds me in the present moment out loud! So for me, I tend to ruminate on old conversations if I think I carried myself awkwardly 😅. In the moment I get this wave of embarrassmenttt when one of those conversations starts replaying on loop in my head. I start blushing and panicking at the embarrassing memory. It feels like it’s happening again in the moment, as if the people who were there are reliving it with me. But it’s not true! I’m the only person replaying the memory in that moment. So out loud I’ll say, “I’m not currently having a conversation at work. I’m actually in my kitchen right now cutting an orange.” It helps me remember that everyone else from that memory is also just doing laundry, chilling with their kids, watching tv. They’re not thinking about it with you. The same way I’m just cutting oranges in my kitchen. The memory isn’t happening. I wonder if that might work for you too! :) sounds like you organized a very cool event!!

Toastyntryin

Date posted: 22h

@sploosh Thank you so much! I have never thought to reframe it that way I always just try to ignore it and well that doesn’t work lol. I appreciate your advice !

ocdonedidily1

Date posted: 22w

Perfectionism OCD and rumination

There’s this one situation that I haven’t stopped thinking about from last night . So basically, I was reading 'The power of Now' which is a book that I love so much and really got me into spirituality. It’s been so helpful for my OCD and rumination but it’s also been pretty triggering for it as of late, so I’ve taken a long break from consistently reading it. The excerpt I read was about abundance and how its not about being bountiful, necessarily in material things but realizing and being grateful for the things that exist in your life now and in doing so, you will open yourself up to more good things. I understood it but I re-read it a lot because I didn't feel confident enough to explain it to someone else. but otherwise I LOVED IT. It made me feel so at peace, I agreed with it, and it gave me hope to start focusing on the good things in my life rather than the bad. So when I went to bed I rehearsed myself explaining it to someone on a podcast and then all these questions started flooding in like “why should I only focus on the good and aren't we supposed to accept the good and bad? Aren’t those the values of Buddha and spirituality” “Ya, we're supposed to accept the good and the bad but why?- so we can feel more good??? And isn't the point of OCD to not label things as good and bad? and why should I focus on the good- so I can feel good? why should I feel good? because I'm worthy of it? why am I worthy of it? because I'm a good person and do good things? well I’ve also done bad things so why shouldn't I consider that. I just don’t understand why I should feel good without it being selfish. And then this went on for like 2 or 3 hours. Like holy shit. I over explain these ideas and concepts that I resonate with to the point where they don't even make sense to me anymore. It becomes very existensial very quick. And I’m not suicidal but these questions make me feel hopeless in society for some reason?? And myself. Like if everything contradicts everything then what’s the point to life? If nothing can be understood or explained in a senseful way, then how do people move forward and make decisions, like AT ALL? There’s never a right or perfect answer and I feel like with any decision I make in regards, I’m doing a compulsion either way. If I don’t answer them, then I’m avoiding it and if I do then I’m checking and seeking reassurance. I’m sorry if this was way too long and over-explained I just need some advice or to know if anyone can relate in any way. Also, I’m sorry if some of those back-to-back questions were triggering.

RavenRose77

Date posted: 17w

Ruminating Help

I ruminated too much this morning and got distressing mental images (and confirmation) which sent me spiraling again. How do I stop thinking about this and how do I get back to myself? I feel destroyed.

fl5

Date posted: 13w

Tips for rumination with real event?

I've been doing well the past month in cutting down on compulsions and have been feeling better however, last night I had a set back that carried on into today. I had gotten very poor sleep (4ish hours) and then something triggered my memory. I think with the sudden anxiety spike and lack of sleep I didn't have the strength to ignore my compulsions. Last night and today I've realised I've gone back into rumination and mentally reviewing the event excessively again and comparing my situation to other people's, but most of the times that I start going down these rabbit holes I don't even realise I'm doing it? Also been fixating a bit on the fear that I've ruined my progress and that I will fall back into the deep end of it all again, that I have done so much work getting myself out of, although trying my best to not be too discouraged. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with rumination more specifically?

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Rumination- how to stop it?

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