Does anyone else who’s 20+ and never seriously dated before afraid that this messed up your love life forever? Because I used to look forward to getting to know a guy romantically one day and feeling comfortable enough to let them be around me in that way and now I’m just afraid that if I ever get into a relationship I’m not going to like it and it’s just gonna confirm everything I’m afraid of :/

Yeah definitely you’re not alone!!! I was super hesitant about talking about it bc I honestly haven’t done anything romantic ever in my life, and I’ve been super embarrassed about it for years 😭

@aurokoi Same!! Like in college I had ‘flings’ and talked to a couple guys but it just never worked out and I completely blame my ocd for it.

@bay97 It’s not our fault we’re dealing with this!! My OCD didn’t flare up until quarantine, but I’m highly suspicious that I dealt with Existential OCD when I was 16, which yeah, DEFINITELY made it hard to connect with anyone even if I wanted to. But we’re all worthy of love even with OCD bc OCD is just one thing about ourselves, and I know for a fact we’re all people with a lot of potential when this thing isn’t in the forefront.

@aurokoi I’ve had GAD since I was 10 but started having OCD about 4yrs ago. I agree completely!! I’ve made this thing control my life for so long but now I’m trying to just remind myself it’s only a part of me

@bay97 Anxiety is just the worst, and I’ve heard it can get very complicated when the two are combined. But the fact that you have the motivation and the drive to get better is something you should feel proud of! The real you is still there.

@aurokoi Thank you!! It’s so helpful to know I’m not alone with this disorder!

OMG RIGHT!! I had anxiety over it bc I was honestly super embarrassed about how I’m so inexperienced and it made me feel uncomfortable in certain situations and it’s like my brain was telling me I felt like that because I was just anxious about liking a guy because I didn’t actually. Which is not true at all bc i never thought it was right to force yourself to like someone. I’m just 🤬🤬 I just wanna cuddle with a guy without feeling like

@aurokoi I’m lying to myself**

Also FINALLY SOMEONE WHO’S IN THE SAME AGE RANGE AND EXPERIENCE AS ME 😭😭

@🐝 YES OMG!!! Like I’d always LOVE hearing about my friends stories but lowkey I was jealous bc I wanted that so bad too but IM A PUSSY TOO 😭😭 also dude you have no idea, last year I peaked identity wise and was feeling SO GOOD in my skin and who I was shaping up to be and WHO I AM NOW IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE 😭

@🐝 I’m dealing with TOCD 🥴🥴 my identity don’t exist no more

@🐝 I’m doing a looooot better compared to a few months ago. The anxiety has gone down and I don’t react to the thoughts but I’ve only done self programs so i constantly don’t know what the truth is lol. It sucks deadass like more so than HOCD, I know this one is stupid because I love being a girl but it uses my interests and hobbies against me. With HOCD it’s like... I honestly have no idea but I really don’t want to ‘experiment’ and figure it out? And my brain uses that against me 😭 ALSO YES I HAVE DISCORD: no ❤🦋✨#8571 And how are you coping with POCD? I think that’s one of hardest themes to deal with personally 🥺

VALIDATIONNNNNN we all need to get together and make a group chat honestly 😭❤️

@aurokoi There is one if you're on instagram!! Just message hocdawareness and she'll add you or I can if you're comfortable leaving your account name! The admin also struggled with hocd. It's so nice to talk to people who relate.

@thebeginning OH WOW omg okay. I might have to look into that. Thank you so much!

Omg girl I feel you!!!! When I was at my highest last year I really embraced the idea of just remaining single. It doesn’t seem too bad to me, and I genuinely appreciate my platonic connections so much. Like you, I don’t want to be alone alone forever, but I don’t think I’d lack if I didn’t have a romantic partner. Also, idk you but I promise you, you are 100% loveable :)

Honestly same 😭 before I was like pretty okay with the idea of being single long term bc I have so much I want to do with my life that I didn’t see how a relationship could fit in with it all but see that was a nice day dream bc I chose it and now it feels like I have no say in it 😭

@aurokoi I don’t feel an attraction to men in real life and I’m scared that they will think my rituals are weird or they might not love me because of my ocd.

@hanajade A lot of it is just being open and honest with your partner, and as much as it sucks there’s an element of explanation and teaching that goes into it because OCD is so misunderstood, but I think people - even men - are a lot more accepting than we give them credit for. Recovery in part is learning that all parts of you, even the OCD one, deserves to be loved :) I believe in you! Be kind to yourself, and stay committed to recovery, no matter what people think or how long it takes.

Suuuuper relatable omg. I’m 20, and I’ve been hit on before but the guys were always kinda crass about it and it made me feel gross and whew does my ocd have a feast off that 😭 I believe in us though.

It sucks major butt!! I believe in us though >:( I refuse to let ocd be the reason I am single lol

Nope I commented yesterday on this

Ooh me too. And it sucks because now I’m in uni and I can’t get one at all so now it’s making me question things

@stop. Sameee!! I’m in my third year. And it’s I’m dealing with both the insecurity of getting this far without ANYTHING, but add constantly questioning myself it doesn’t make me feel any bettr