how do you guys deal with not having distractions

im really struggling with being without my phone because i have to be alone with my thoughts and they just feel rampant full of fear and discomfort whenever i dont have an activity to distract me. i know this is horrible but im not sure how to get out. i know the only way to get out of this is to face the discomfort and build tolerance by slowly being on my phone less and less, but im having so much trouble building up the courage to do so and taking the plunge just wanted to know if anybody's fallen in this hole of feeling like you need to be constantly preoccupied so that you dont ruminate on thoughts and managed to escape and defeat this compulsion to avoid discomfort. or if you're struggling with it right now, how are you feeling? it'd be nice to know i'm not alone i feel bad because my OCD is around Christianity/God and it only makes me feel worse by making me feel like im avoiding God intentionally

aprille7

Date posted: Yesterday

I struggle to sit with my thoughts too because my OCD is much louder and I find it difficult to sit in silence. It’s very discouraging when I try to face my fears without distractions and my fears become heightened. I’ve tried to do meditation at times but it causes me to be too aware of myself and I’d rather not think about it so I scroll on my phone a lot as well. I’m also trying to break this habit but yes, it is very hard and uncomfortable. One small thing that has helped me in the past is getting out of bed right when I wake up instead of grabbing my phone first thing. It helps me to focus more on what I want to do with my day, rather than my OCD taking over which causes me to seek my phone to drown my thoughts. I think keeping yourself busy with something other than your phone is a start - even if it is a bit of a distraction. Eventually I hope to just be able to sit in peace but I have a long way to go.

🧠🫯

Date posted: 17h

@aprille7 the ironic thing of me checking this app as soon as i got up and seeing this comment XD i have definitely thought about that phone thing before but ugh i end up giving in most times

heavensftw

Date posted: 19h

Personally, I struggle even with having distractions. I could be on my phone, watching a show, crocheting, or playing a video game and I’m just stuck in my mind ruminating and obsessing over thoughts and catastrophising them. I also have OCD with fearing I’m not truly saved, won’t go to Heaven, fearing the rapture. I’m working on this. I’ve also felt like I want to avoid God because I get anxious when I’m drawing closer to Him, and I also experience spiritual attacks because I’m growing closer in my faith. I also know that I can’t beat my OCD/anxiety without God. It’s so tough. I’d be happy to pray for you or support you in this.

🧠🫯

Date posted: 19h

@heavensftw wow your situation is exactly like mine! my thoughts and fears are also on those exact things. i just woke up so maybe ill reply to you later with a more detailed response but i just wanted to respond with this for now

strongsurvivor

Date posted: Yesterday

Im working on not being on my phone as much. They do make mental illness worse, so I try to focus on conversations with people. I dont know if I'm christian but I think that God wants you to connect with others in the most authentic way possible, which is face to face if possible. I used to watch YouTube to distract myself from terrible intrusive thoughts, but now Im putting in effort to watch videos when they truly matter to me or have music on in the background.

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