OCD can be so sneaky but having some awareness of its tricks, can go a long way to helping you stay out of its spirals and traps.
OCD loves to get you caught up in its net, and it really doesn’t care what it gets you hooked on – which is why the sub types are kind of irrelevant – as long as you’re caught up about something.
Have you ever noticed, that once you put one theme to bed, very quickly another will appear?
It just keeps throwing thoughts at you until something sticks and then you’re off down the rabbit hole again, with another hour or more of your time wasted on nonsense.
However, if you choose NOT to engage then the real work begins, the work of ‘doing nothing’.
Sounds simple I hear you say but just letting the thought be whilst your brain is desperately saying, ‘listen and pay attention THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!’ Is easier said than done.
Annoyingly, it’s not something we can escape either as we carry our brain around wherever we go, the only thing we can do is SHOW our brains that there was never anything to be fearful about in the first place.
We do this by not engaging, not completing the compulsion and carrying on with our day.
Though this work sounds incredibly simple, it is not easy, in fact it can feel like life or death at times, a big step into the unknown.
I’ve had a lot going on in my personal life recently. I’ve been unwell myself, which has restricted my normal activities somewhat and lowered my resilience as a result. On top of this I have a mother who requires support, two young children and two aging dogs to look after.
All this has led to my OCD being louder than usual – it’s really is the gift that keeps on giving!
I’ve had to learn to let go and allow the waves of life to toss me around. If I don’t, if I grip and grasp onto things too tightly, trying to control and contain everything, it makes everything worse.
Who knew doing nothing, could be the hardest thing in the world to accomplish!
I hope you’re all doing OK and riding those waves,
As always,
Stay Strong xxx
