Celebrating your wins on this #WellnessWednesday

[alexandraisobsessed]

Hello everyone

I hope your week is going well so far. I have had quite the busy week and just to add some fuel to the already raging fire of busy I had an ERP appointment today!

I drove out to my therapist's office for the first time in 3 years and saw him in person to do exposures. This is such a huge milestone for me. Ever since my son was born I have found reasons to mostly stay home because it is where OCD tells me is safest. Little by little I have watched my world become ever smaller because of it and that is not the life I want for myself or the example I want to set for my son. So, today I did it! I set up another appointment to do it again too. It's scary and empowering. I'm definitely sitting with a lot of anxiety and uncertainty right now.

But, enough about me. I want to hear about the hard things you have been doing so we can celebrate our wins together.

What's something you've done this week to stand up to OCD that you're proud of?

[river_of_hope]

It's good to hear what you've managed to do with your in person appointment, well done and i hope everything goes well with your next appointment. Maybe it might feel a little bit easier when the time arrives to do it again.I've managed to get out 3 times this week, including once at a time I considered I just couldn't do, so feeling quite positive about that and ready to try it again another day.

Wishing you a good end to the week and here's to more achievements soon

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to river_of_hope]

So so proud of you for getting out three times in a week! It can feel so hard right now. Thank you for the kind words I hope it gets a little easier the next time. After doing my appointments over Telehealth for so long I was actually quite intimidated going into the whole thing and was literally shaking outside the door to my therapist's office.

It's funny now, but I was legit terrified at the time!

[river_of_hope in reply to alexandraisobsessed]

Thank-you, it's the best I've managed for a while and was busier than usual, given the time of year. You're welcome and yes, I hope it does but you've done really well in getting to your therapist's office and working through the session.I have a support appointment next week, which I'm thinking ahead to, it's in the middle of the day, which is challenging but I feel determined to get there!

Wishing you a peaceful and hopefully low anxiety weekend

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to river_of_hope]

You've got this! I'm cheering for you ☺️ I hope you have a lovely low anxiety weekend as well!

[river_of_hope in reply to alexandraisobsessed]

Thank-you so much for your support and good wishes

[LuvSun]

Way to go!

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to LuvSun]

Yay! Thank you!

[Sear45ching]

I've dealt with some attendance issues regarding my high schooler. Talked to school counselors and my kid without spiralling too far and catastrophizing the whole situation. It seems fairly resolved right now. Managed not to let OCD tip me into a panic this time. Yay!

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to Sear45ching]

This is HUGE!!! Super happy for you 😀

[Sear45ching]

Great job to you going to your therapist in person. I completely understand how terrifying that can be.

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to Sear45ching]

Thank you so much for the kind support. It really means a lot to me.

[Sallyskins]

Good for you! I think it's important to remind yourself that each little victory over OCD is something to be proud of. Having OCD does deplete our self esteem and it needs a bit of bolstering.

It's also true that OCD can shrink your social circle - so getting out to your therapist opens it out again.

I've managed to get out and do festive shopping - started present buying in November so I'm not rushing to get it done. I had a panic attack in the supermarket but at least I managed to go there! The festive season is always a bit stressful for me (memories of Christmas past when I was growing up - adults getting drunk and fighting!)