Gentle Reminder: We are so much more than our OCD

[alexandraisobsessed]

I rarely post my own stuff here, but to make up for my missed Wellness Wednesday (I'm sorry it was my Birthday!) I wanted to give you a little double feature. This is one of my favorite posts I've done lately and a mantra I've been repeating to myself often this week as I find myself deep in the grief of acceptance. Yes, even in recovery there is room for grief. Let me know if this resonates for you.

As human beings we carry many labels. I’m a Mother, Sister, Wife, Advocate, Friend and OCD sufferer. Those are just a handful of my labels. I’m also an artist, Dog Mom, reader and much more. There are times when the OCD label can feel especially heavy or overwhelming.

It likes to happen when I’m stressed and OCD is hitting me full-force. It also happens when I’m focusing on treatment actively or when I’m feeling frustrated due to the stigmatizing nature of having a mental illness. In those moments, OCD has a way of overtaking all the other aspects of me. It makes me doubt everything about myself and forget that I’m a whole human being made up of MANY different facets.

I have had moments where it felt that OCD had stripped me of my personality and everything I cared about. It took up all of my time with obsessions and rituals. It made me feel that there was nothing but a shell of me filled to the brim with OCD. But with ERP and lots of hard work, I realized I was still there. I was still me and OCD is just one label of many that make me who I am.

I am more than my OCD even though it would like me to believe otherwise and so are you.

Sending you all lots of love today!

Alexandra

[LuvSun]

Thank you for these words and Happy Birthday!

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to LuvSun]

Thank you!! My son actually said Happy Birthday Mama to me for the first time ever and that was my favorite part

[KatJ1982]

Happy Belated Birthday! Your post was very inspirational. Thank you for the kind and positive words. It is sometimes hard to remember OCD is only a part of who we are. You seemed to have separated yourself from your diagnosis.

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to KatJ1982]

Hey Kat!

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes.

I don't like to think of it so much as separating myself from it. OCD is a very real and present force in my life. I think of it more as acknowledging it, but not allowing it to become the main actor.

OCD would love nothing more than to be the main character! It's helpful for me to take a step back and realize it's only one of MANY things that make me who I am. I hope that makes sense

[Mcfly64]

Happy belated birthday. Hope you had a great day. That was a very good post.

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to Mcfly64]

Thank you so so much! I really did have a lovely day.I'm glad it resonated for you.

[Hidden]

Happy Birthday! It's hard to think of myself sometimes without the ocd label. Seems like it's been that way so long but you bring up a great point. We are not ocd...The Bible says "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he".....I know it's much better for us to think of ourselves without that label. Thank you again for raising awareness about that! It helped me a lot this morning!

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to Hidden]

Hi friend!

Thank you very much for the Birthday wishes.

I'm really happy that this helped you