- Date posted
- 4y
- Date posted
- 4y
The ruminating and constant need for reassurance is frustrating. For me letting go of control is very hard. I think it’s something I have to work at everyday “rather than ask if you can ever be free, because ever is a huge amount of future time, ask if you can be free at this moment. The only place where you can or need to be free is this moment not the rest of your life. Just now.” When I catch myself ruminating I try to do something like clean, chat with a friend etc
- Date posted
- 4y
Thank you for sharing! OCD steals precious time from my life. It always makes me question things. It keeps me in a state of anxiety and fear and doesn't allow me to move forward.
- Date posted
- 4y
I do try to ask myself - even if this thought is true is there any action I need to take right now? Most of the time the answer is no. Key thing being action is NOT the same as compulsion. For example, I have a bug bite - my intrusive thought is that it's a brown recluse. Even if it is - is there any action I can take at this moment when it's a tiny bug bite? It isn't at the point where going to the doctor makes sense. So I try to give myself permission to let it go and just see what happens, I can't do anything to change it right now.
- Date posted
- 4y
I really like that, thank you for sharing! Letting it go and seeing what happens is a great idea.
- Date posted
- 4y
@Ania85 Yay! Hope it helps. Sometimes I'll even set a threshold. Like if in X # of days it isn't better I'll make an appointment or something like that and then it's easier to let it go until I get to that point and 99% of the time by then whatever it is is gone. :)
- Date posted
- 4y
@Ania85 I read a book once that said there is no problem if there's no action to be taken and I try to use that as a mantra.
- Date posted
- 4y
@Cher1943 Great idea all around! I hope you're doing well!!
- Date posted
- 4y
@Ania85 Thanks! You too. I'm loving this app it is making me feel more connected and helps me stay on track.
- Date posted
- 4y
@Cher1943 What exactly does that mantra mean?
- Date posted
- 4y
@Coul.C Basically, I interpret it as that if there's no decision to make at this moment - then there's no true problem. Problems require a solution. So for example if I have a thought of "my stomach feels funny" and that becomes "what if I have a horrible disease" I ask myself even if I do do I have enough information right now to do something about it. And if I don't, then it isn't a problem right now, in this moment. I think it's just another way to kind of ground myself in the moment.
- Date posted
- 4y
@Cher1943 It's the Eckhert Tolle book The Power of Now. I'll paste the passage.
- Date posted
- 4y
@Coul.C This is from The Power of Now by Eckhert Tolle. If you found yourself in paradise, it wouldn’t be long before your mind would say “yes, but. . . .” Ultimately, this is not about solving your problems. It’s about realizing that there are no problems. Only situations — to be dealt with now, or to be left alone and accepted as part of the “isness” of the present moment until they change or can be dealt with. Problems are mind-made and need time to survive. They cannot survive in the actuality of the Now. Focus your attention on the Now and tell me what problem you have at this moment.
- Date posted
- 4y
@Cher1943 Also from the book: I am not getting any answer because it is impossible to have a problem when your attention is fully in the Now. A situation that needs to be either dealt with or accepted — yes. Why make it into a problem? Why make anything into a problem? Isn’t life challenging enough as it is? What do you need problems for? The mind unconsciously loves problems because they give you an identity of sorts. This is normal, and it is insane. “Problem” means that you are dwelling on a situation mentally without there being a true intention or possibility of taking action now and that you are unconsciously making it part of your sense of self. You become so overwhelmed by your life situation that you lose your sense of life, of Being. Or you are carrying in your mind the insane burden of a hundred things that you will or may have to do in the future instead of focusing your attention on the one thing that you can do now.
- Date posted
- 4y
@Rivlet86 I don’t mean to trigger anyone may i adk a question that makes this quote hard to apply to myself?
- Date posted
- 4y
@Coul.C I don't mind if you ask a question.
- Date posted
- 4y
It does.
- Date posted
- 4y
So with magical thinking ocd it’s as if there is always a “solution” with whatever compulsion so it makes it hard to not do.. basically you’re feeling like there’s always something you can do. Not sure if im explaining it correctly
- Date posted
- 4y
Hmm yeah I do see what you're saying. It may not work as well for that particular type of OCD. I don't know a lot about magical thinking. If you always think there's an immediate solution then it could get tricky
- Date posted
- 4y
Yeah I think it's important to remember that what may work for one person, may not work for everyone! This is what works for @Rivlet86
Related posts
- Date posted
- 22w
whats up guys what are some tips dealing with ocd and what to do when a thought makes u anxious ??
- Date posted
- 20w
So maybe the title wasn't the best to to put it but when you guys start having obsessive thoughts how do you stop them before it turns into compulsions and anxiety?
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 14w
OCD isn’t just about compulsions—it’s a mental battle that can be completely exhausting. The anxiety, doubt, and pressure to "get it right" can feel unbearable, especially when others don’t understand what’s happening beneath the surface. What’s the hardest part about living with OCD that others don’t see?
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