What does acceptance mean/ feel like? Because to me it just scares me and makes me feel like I’m giving into my OCD thoughts.

Acceptance is simple, but not easy. It does NOT mean that you like or agree with the thought. You acknowledge the thought is there and how it makes you feel. But you don't engage with it. You don't reason or argue with it. You don't try to convince yourself the thought isn't true. You allow the doubt and uncertainty to exist. You accept the feelings and sensations in your body. You acknowledge that the thing you are afraid of could happen and that no matter how many compulsions you do, that isn't going to change. But just because something is possible doesn't mean its likely. Less than 1% is still possible. If you just sit with the feelings eventually, they will disappear. Everyone gets intrusive thoughts. OCD causes us to attach far more meaning than they deserve.

i agree that it’s very scary. i think that it differs from person to person, but for me it kind of feels liberating. i feel more free when i can accept it because i can move on. accepting our thoughts can make us feel like we’re giving in to OCD and have us thinking we are bad people. but in fact, its the opposite. when we accept our thoughts every time, we are diminishing the power of it. we are learning and training our minds to know it’s a thought and nothing more. when we can accept it, it’s a way of taking away that fear and OCD can’t latch onto anything! keep accepting and resisting! it makes it work out in the end. best of luck 🤍

Yeah, this is why ERP is hard for so many people because it often feel like you're giving in to desires. Acceptance is simply accepting the uncertainty of your OCD theme. Maybe you are what you think you are. Maybe you did do something bad. MAYBE. That's an important distinction. You could even just agree with the thoughts you get and then go about your day.

Acceptance is gonna be different for everyone. For me it's finding peace in the uncomfortable moments. Turning noisy static into ocean sounding white noise like you'd use to fall asleep. We're gonna have weak moments and painful moments, but that's okay. Sometimes at the gym your muscles will fail, but that can mean you're getting stronger.

*now act upon it