What stood out to me recently was how sneaky those unwanted thoughts can be, especially when you think you’ve got a handle on them. I’ve been on this journey of learning to coexist with my OCD and its pesky intrusions, and honestly, it can feel like a rollercoaster sometimes.
There are days when I wake up and the thoughts seem to have a mind of their own. It’s like they waltz into my brain uninvited and start setting up camp. I remember when I used to fight them tooth and nail, trying to push them out like I was shooing away an annoying fly. But let me tell you, that approach only made things worse. The more I resisted, the louder they got.
One day, I had a bit of a breakthrough. I decided to change my strategy. Instead of battling these thoughts, I started acknowledging them. It sounds simple, right? Just saying, “Oh, there’s that thought again!” made a world of difference for me. I realized that by accepting their presence, I wasn’t giving them power—I was taking some back for myself.
I often find myself thinking about how much energy we spend fighting against what we don’t want. Have you ever felt that? Like, we can become so consumed by trying to erase these thoughts from our lives that we forget it’s okay to let them be there, just floating around like uninvited guests.
And here’s a little nugget of wisdom I’ve picked up along the way: sometimes, I even find humor in them. I mean, some of the thoughts that pop into my head are so absurd! It’s like my brain is trying its hand at stand-up comedy. I can’t help but chuckle at the ridiculousness, which lightens the whole experience.
I’ve also learned the importance of self-compassion. I used to be my own worst critic, but now I remind myself that everyone has thoughts that can be unsettling. It’s part of being human, right? Sharing these experiences with others has been so helpful, too. When I talk about it, I often find that people relate, and it makes me feel less alone in this quirky journey.
So, if you’re grappling with those unwanted thoughts, what’s your go-to strategy? Have you found anything that helps? Let’s chat about it! I really believe that sharing our experiences can bring so much light to these pesky shadows.