Weekly Wins (holiday edition)

I was able to handle a visit from my parents yesterday without panic cleaning everything. And I successfully made some gingerbread popcorn earlier this week!

I was able to receive some distressing news without engaging in compulsion and I took some walks in complete silence as opposed to actively distracting myself from my thoughts with podcasts.

I’m so stressed out covering for people at work who are gone, performing in my musical, and my marriage suffering, but somehow I still feel like 2026 will be a good year

I just got diagnosed with OCD in November and ever since I’ve been trying to use tools I’ve learned. One small win that I’ve had this week is starting to create a mediation practice to help me practice mindfulness and to sit with my thoughts and anxiety.

My adult daughter with severe OCD is finally taking some steps towards getting the help she desperately needs!

Haven’t smoked at work in over two weeks- weed usually is the thing that helps me cope with my OCD when it’s distressing so seeing myself able to work on it in a tangible real way is so groundbreaking for me

I went to a friends event alone! I had a great time. I’m glad I went because I was feeling lonely earlier in the week

I was able to go the store, pick up an item that was the only one left on the shelf , put it in the cart and push the cart , then got home and didn't immediately take a shower.

Not currently bothering my partner for reassurance or happy thoughts

I handled a bad panic attack and also drove in the turnpike again.

i went out with friends and got to dress up which is something i don't often do. though clubbing still isn't my thing 💀, I'm still glad I did it!

Realizing I don’t have to strive for sin free and perfection. I am human and I have weaknesses. I don’t have to set rigid rules to follow to keep me safe.

Overnight the company I rent my house from scheduled painting the outside of my place between 10an and 7pm. Thing is, I had a performance in the morning I couldn't skip out on. I tried to reschedule the painting but the help line is now AI and didn't understand what was going on plus the rental offices are closed weekends so no humans available 😂 I felt a lot of "what if"s rise up including feeling like I will be at fault for not being home as required when work is done on the house. In the past I'd have reacted poorly and scrambled to try to make everything happen at my own personal expense while feeling like I failed to stay on top of things (which were actually out of my control). Instead I leaned into "maybe it will be fine, maybe it won't, but it's not my problem it was rush scheduled without consulting with me first." I got home and the painter the renting company used waved happily as he fixed up the areas the HOA needed updating. All was well. No issues.

This week's holiday themed OCD win: Deciding to give my family their Christmas gifts despite the OCD voice inside my head. That voice says, "What if your family members hate their Christmas presents, and feel like you don't really love them, and the day is ruined, and it will be your fault, because you really are a bad person?" I've had to continually respond to that train of thought with, "I will give them their gifts anyways." I was so excited about the gift ideas I came up with, and when I first ordered them I was also excited. So, instead of letting OCD steal my joy and convince me that I am a bad person, I am choosing to give the gifts anyways. I'm choosing to remember the excitement I had, and trust that even if a family member does not like their gift, that does not mean I ruined their year or day or entire life. The fear that I feel will not control my Christmas. I will not return all the gifts I ordered and start over from scratch. People get gifts they don't like all of the time, and the world still turns. I love my family, and they love me. No matter what happens, the world will still turn. I chose to give them their gifts anyways!

I when to a Christmas party and got overwhelmed but was abel to use skills and calm down and stay with everyone Wich was really nice and such A win!

Harder week but I’m still going!

I was able to sit next to someone! I still panicked a little, but I didn’t do the compulsion! I’m really proud of myself for that