Cooking HelloFresh meals is continuing to go well. Honestly, I can't really call it an exposure anymore. I actually enjoy a lot of it. - Yesterday I had a moment of panic, but acted effectively anyways. Even better, I used an unexpected trigger as an opportunity to do ERP and move towards another bone if my values- flexibility. I've always been super strictly adherent to rules and directions. When following recipes, I do exactly what they say, down to minutia like how many cups of water to boil the pasta in. This kind of rigidity shoes up in many areas of my life and causes problems. - Back To the story. I was making spinich and cheese raviolis wit Italian chicken sausage sauce. They sent scallions. The "thinly sliced whites" were to be cooked with the sausage.... Only when I got out the scallions from the bag, they were slimy. My heart sped up and my hands started shaking. I froze in place for a solid thirty seconds while frantic thoughts whizzed through my head: "the scallions are bad, I'll have to scrap the whole meal! But they're counting on you for dinner tonight! Unless you went and got take out, by the time you changed the meal plan and made it, it would be way to late. This is a trainwreck.... Etc etc etc." And then I was like "stop, this isn't working." I thought about watching my brother and roommate cook when they make up recipes based on whatever ingredients are in the house. It always blew my mind that they are so comfortable making decisions up as they go along. I certainly don't feel confident cooking a meal without a recipe after rummaging though the fridge.....?But maybe there was something in the house I could use to replace the scallion whites.? Hmmm.... YES!! a yellow onion! - So I minced a single slice of the onion and used it in the recipe. My anxiety faded as I cooked, but then spiked when I set the plates in front of my family. "what if it's bad? "They're going to know I ruined it" "what if it's so bad they can't eat it" "what if they eat it but just don't like it. Or if it's different than what they expect".... I had SO MANY urges seek reassurance. AND I DIDN'T, NOT EVEN ONCE!!!! I'd love to hear success stories from the rest of you. It's be especially awesome if you could connect the brave action to one of your values

catattak

Date posted: 5y

I have some trouble thinking of values. I'm new to your posts and I love the value of flexibility. I used to he a really flexible person and was even an improv comic for a bit before university. Now I find the smallest changes or inconveniences send me for a tailspin. I'm definitely going to consider goals to work towards with flexibility as a value!

ocdillustrated

Date posted: 5y

Improv comedy makes me laugh so much, bit I'd be terrified to try it myself. When did you notice your flexibility waning?

canigetawitness

Date posted: 5y

I'm glad you were able to find an alternative & stick to the decision to use the onion! That's awesome that you were able to push through the experience. Also, that was super kind of you to cook for your family.

ocdillustrated

Date posted: 5y

Thanks ☺️

rcxxhl

Date posted: 5y

hey congrats on dealing with the urges. this week i was talking with my girlfriend on the phone and she was kinda sad and started to explain to me what was going on with her. my anxiety spiked so much and i froze with fear because i was expecting she'd say something that had to do with my ocd and fears. my brain started to think nonstop about what she was about to say. but then i realized that was not good for me to try to predict what was gonna happen. and i was able to calm myself down a bit and eventually forgot i was afraid. it was a huge step for me and i felt capable of dealing with my disease

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