As an artist and creative with OCD I can relate to this so much! Thank you for living your second best life. Thank you for writing. And thank you for sharing… this has given me renewed hope 💛
"I started to write again. I started to make decisions based on my values (creativity, integrity, gratitude) instead of fear." I love this. I've been working on this idea in myself too. I recently started going back to school and ended up getting my first B in a class in years (not even a B+, which my obsessive undergrad self would have been horrified to hear). It was nice to not hold myself to a ridiculous standard and just be an okay student and learn. Did the intrusive thoughts about failure go away? Not really. But I kept going and learned. Thank you for your encouraging words and writing this resource!
This is so beautiful and raw, and really helped me understand OCD a lot better! Thank you for sharing this and for creating anyway. <3 I especially loved "A known failure felt safer than a surprise mistake." I can relate to that big time.
Thank you for reading and being willing to learn more about OCD! And sheesh, we try to protect ourselves in so many ways--let’s be just as creative in how we move forward anyway!
Aly, this is a beautiful essay. Thank you for battling through both your life and the writing of this piece to share these words with us. (Somehow I feel seen and known and less alone because I relate to so much of this, feeling damned if I do and damned if I don’t. Yet your piece is a testament that “creating anyway” is worth it... I’m so proud of you!) I’m looking forward to growing alongside you and the other mamas in Exhale! It feels like such a huge privilege.
Thank you, Lisa! That lose-lose dread can be so paralyzing! I’m excited to create together and get to know you more. Cheering you on in creating anyway! 💪🏾
Lovely reflections and I’m so glad you keep writing, too! Thank you for your honesty. What a gift to be in the process of OCD recovery and we are gifted when you share it with us. ❤️
Thanks, Lindsey! I'd love to hear what you think of the podcast! Also, Kimberly Quinlan's Self-Compassion for OCD workbook is excellent-it has great exercises in it even if you don't have OCD--link below:
As an artist and creative with OCD I can relate to this so much! Thank you for living your second best life. Thank you for writing. And thank you for sharing… this has given me renewed hope 💛
Thank you for reading! Cheering you on in your second best life! 💛
"I started to write again. I started to make decisions based on my values (creativity, integrity, gratitude) instead of fear." I love this. I've been working on this idea in myself too. I recently started going back to school and ended up getting my first B in a class in years (not even a B+, which my obsessive undergrad self would have been horrified to hear). It was nice to not hold myself to a ridiculous standard and just be an okay student and learn. Did the intrusive thoughts about failure go away? Not really. But I kept going and learned. Thank you for your encouraging words and writing this resource!
Kandi! I love this so much! What a gift to yourself to go back to school and release yourself from those ridiculous standards. Proud of you!
Thank you, Aly!
This is so beautiful and raw, and really helped me understand OCD a lot better! Thank you for sharing this and for creating anyway. <3 I especially loved "A known failure felt safer than a surprise mistake." I can relate to that big time.
Thank you for reading and being willing to learn more about OCD! And sheesh, we try to protect ourselves in so many ways--let’s be just as creative in how we move forward anyway!
Love this and your vulnerability! I was diagnosed with OCD as a child (almost 20 years ago!) and can definitely relate.
Thank you for sharing, Meg. I truly believe my fellow OCDers are some of the most creative, brave, and resilient people!
Love, love, love this! Thank you so much for putting this into story form through your life lens. So helpful.
Thank you, Jenny! 💛
Aly, this is a beautiful essay. Thank you for battling through both your life and the writing of this piece to share these words with us. (Somehow I feel seen and known and less alone because I relate to so much of this, feeling damned if I do and damned if I don’t. Yet your piece is a testament that “creating anyway” is worth it... I’m so proud of you!) I’m looking forward to growing alongside you and the other mamas in Exhale! It feels like such a huge privilege.
Thank you, Lisa! That lose-lose dread can be so paralyzing! I’m excited to create together and get to know you more. Cheering you on in creating anyway! 💪🏾
So glad you’re writing!!
Thank you, Kim!
“What if my ideas are stupid, cheesy, even worse, cliche?” All. The. Time. I think this. Like why would I write more noise?
Ugh! The struggle is real! I’m glad you’re still choosing to write 💛
Lovely reflections and I’m so glad you keep writing, too! Thank you for your honesty. What a gift to be in the process of OCD recovery and we are gifted when you share it with us. ❤️
Thank you, Christine!
So glad you keep writing. 👏🏽 and I am definitely going to listen to that podcast you mentioned - thanks!
Thanks, Lindsey! I'd love to hear what you think of the podcast! Also, Kimberly Quinlan's Self-Compassion for OCD workbook is excellent-it has great exercises in it even if you don't have OCD--link below:
https://www.amazon.com/Self-Compassion-Workbook-OCD-Difficult-Emotions/dp/168403776X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2F9PR9OGN8TAE&keywords=the+self-compassion+workbook+for+ocd&qid=1685194994&sprefix=the+self-compas%2Caps%2C840&sr=8-1
Thank you!