First night without picking in AGES. And I just painted my nails so I know I won’t now at least till they’re dry. :) Also, I’ve been thinking a lot about my scars (from picking). Mostly I hate them because they’re on my face and feel so visible and shameful. I’ve learned to love my stretch marks from pregnancy though, and I’m working on loving my bumpy little belly that’s just part of how I’m shaped. I’m wondering if I can apply the same sort of thinking to my scars, even though they’re self-inflicted. They’re still part of my journey, you know? Anyone else have thoughts on/experience with body positivity around scars from mental or physical illness?

Hi everyone, it’s hard for me to share this but I wanted to give it a shot. OCD onset got really bad when I turned 19 and it’s been a huge struggle ever since. Even being able to accept help from NOCD was hard at first, I wasn’t brought up in a family that ever took OCD or other mental disorders as valid reasons to struggle. I’m turning 21 next week. These past few years have so much emotional baggage from OCD and trauma exacerbated by OCD. Sometimes I feel like it’s really hard for me to even assess the severity of my triggers and obsessions because I’ve become so used to being under constant distress. I can’t help but to feel at times that getting this disorder under control seems close to impossible. I’ve basically dropped out of college after trying to keep my head above water (and failing) for my freshman and sophomore year. I’m unable to study or even keep a normal job right now. I believe that now more than ever the world is in need of community building and organizing and I feel so much guilt for not being able to participate in that either. I feel like everything I want to be doing with my life right now, especially socially, feels so out of reach because of this illness. It makes it even harder to feel joy about life in this position, which can’t be good for my depression. I hope that soon I’ll be able to track my progress on here. I know growth isn’t linear and everything comes with time…but damn. This shit is hard.

I want to share some thoughts that might resonate with those of you grappling with intrusive thoughts or lingering regrets from the past. First and foremost, it's essential to remember that our thoughts are not definitive representations of who we are. They often stem from random electrical impulses in our brains and can feel overwhelming at times. It’s important to acknowledge that these thoughts do not define us. Instead, they are just passing moments that we can observe without judgment. Secondly, it’s crucial to realize that past events would have unfolded regardless of our actions. We often believe we are the main cause of certain outcomes, but many events occur independently of our choices. Think of your life as a storybook; while you can read and reflect on the pages, you did not write the narrative that led to those moments. This perspective can help alleviate feelings of guilt and self-blame. Lastly, let’s remember that we are all human, and making mistakes is part of the experience. It’s vital to forgive ourselves for past errors and recognize that these experiences contribute to our growth. The mere act of reflecting on our mistakes shows that we have learned and evolved. To foster healing and personal growth, consider incorporating some positive habits into your daily routine: Get Outside: Aim for daily walks in the sunlight. Nature has a remarkable way of uplifting our spirits. Pursue Hobbies: Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. This can help redirect your focus and energy. Volunteer: Offering guidance to others who may be facing similar challenges can be incredibly rewarding. It not only helps them but also reinforces your own lessons learned. By taking these steps, you can create a meaningful path toward moral repentance and personal development, freeing yourself from the burdens of the past. Remember, healing is a journey, and every small step counts. Embrace it with kindness and patience towards yourself. Have a great day all 😊

I was on a walk with my mom today and she said something that stood out to me. While on the subject of addicts, she mentioned how addicts will delay their recovery by refusing to admit that they have a problem with substance abuse. Addicts will sometimes lie to themselves about their health status and compare themselves to other recovering addicts, then say “at least, I’m not like those guys” Btw, my mom has been in health care for over 20 years. So anyways, this made me think of my own OCD journey. Although, I am mentally in a better position than I was months ago. . I still try to remember to continue working on myself and my habits. I catch myself thinking, “well, at least my thoughts aren’t as extreme as this person” as I read some posts. Then, I try to use it as an excuse to not continue engaging with this app or therapy habits. To me, this is a behavior that I need to address. I must not forget that I downloaded this app like everyone else did. I downloaded this app to overcome OCD. How does this have to do with what my mother said? I don’t abuse substances, but I do observe that I am addicted to stress or reassurance. . As an addict to my OCD tendencies, I chase the feeling of relief. I chase the comfort of rumination. Like those in denial of their addiction, I lie to myself about my status. Even though I am doing better, that doesn’t mean I must quit what was helping me. My symptoms might go away and hibernate for a while. It’s up to me to maintain my good habits so that I don’t reawaken the bad ones.