Monday Recovery Motivation :)

[OCDAdvocateKatie]

Y'all...it was a week! I'm a school chaplain with OCD, and last week was one of the most traumatic weeks I've ever had in my job. As a result...my OCD is spiked, and I feel all sorts of feels! Chaplains/clergy/faith leaders struggle with OCD, too, and there is no shame in that. You are not alone.

For me...intrusive thoughts of being a horrible person unworthy of supporting others tend to be a common theme after weeks like this. But I wanted to share the motivation I'm offering myself this Monday morning in hopes it will help you, too! When, I'm struggling, I try to remind myself...

"RECOVERY ONLY COMES WHEN YOU GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO VALUE YOUR LIFE SO MUCH...THAT THE FEAR OF GIVING UP YOUR BEAUTIFUL LIFE TO OCD OUTWEIGHTS THE FEAR OF YOUR OBSESSIONS BEING TRUE."

I'm going to try me best to live into this and follow my values, while sitting with the discomfort. I refuse to give anymore of my life up to OCD (even when all of the thoughts/feelings seem very loud and true). You deserve to do the same thing for yourself today. Choose to value your life more than anything else! It will send your OCD running

[MothFir]

Thanks for a great quote. I was having a morning where OCD seemed particularly "loud and true," and this has helped snap me back to reality. Have a better week!

[OCDAdvocateKatie IOCDF Advocate in reply to MothFir]

Thank you!! We've got this!

[bluecatlover]

I want to know your style you use I am desperate I like your style

[Patriot26]

That was awesome 👍🏻Can I ask do you take any medication?

[OCDAdvocateKatie IOCDF Advocate]

Hi Patriot26 - everyone is a little different in terms of medication, so there is no "one size fits all" approach. I take medication, and it helps give me a little more space to make value-driven choices along with ERP.

[blueturtle28]

Thank you for sharing the strong and helpful words. For 22 years I was a middle school guidance counselor with ocd and trully loved my job. However, certain unfortunate occurrences would cause a spike. But I had to persevere to do my job well. Thank you so much for sharing and supporting.💙

[OCDAdvocateKatie IOCDF Advocate in reply to blueturtle28]

And thank you so much for all that you've done for so many students!!!

[blueturtle28 in reply to OCDAdvocateKatie]

It is extreeeemely difficult ...as you KNOW...to be in a helping career/position and have these obsessions! It is sooo paradoxical and painful.

[OCDAdvocateKatie IOCDF Advocate in reply to blueturtle28]

And yet so rewarding! As tough as it can be, I think it gives us additional empathy for the struggles of our students.

[blueturtle28 in reply to OCDAdvocateKatie]

Yes, I totally agree!

[Mcfly64]

Thank you for those inspiring words.

[StandinStill]

I’m very sorry for the rough start to the week. OCD certainly has no problem attacking us at any time. I think the unpredictability of it sometimes is very difficult. It’s predictable yet unpredictable for me.

I can think the week is starting good , and then all of a sudden I get triggered by something and OCD tries to take over.

I really appreciate your strength and words of encouragement to everyone. I hope you’re weekend is great and things get better soon .

Thank you again for being honest yet confident and encouraging.

All my best.

[worriedmom3]

What I love about what you wrote here is that it can speak to all sufferers of OCD, or their loved ones, whether they believe in a higher power or not. I am certain you are yourself a source of power and support to the students you work with!

[OCDAdvocateKatie IOCDF Advocate in reply to worriedmom3]

Awww thank you so much ❤️