Growing up, I’ve always struggled with feeling like everything needs to be perfect. When I was younger, my OCD was more apparent in the way I lined up my sneakers and arranged my pens in a specific way on my desk. As I have grown older, though, I feel that OCD has taken a larger presence in my life.
I’m constantly worrying that I forgot to do something or triple-checking tasks that don’t even need checking; it can be exhausting sometimes. It’s not uncommon for me to spend hours completing tasks that should have only taken minutes, because of the level of intensity and detail required due to statistical predictions and information overload.
Recently I’ve noticed that this behavior has been interfering with my daily life. In certain areas, such as math and organization of any kind, OCD puts me at an advantage. But other times it can leave me feeling paralyzed due to not being able to risk making a mistake or picking wrong choice.
My biggest challenge has been learning how not to be so hard on myself when things don’t turn out exactly the way I’ve expected them to, but rather having patience with myself and understanding those mistakes are part of the journey. It can take a lot of time and practice but day by day I get closer to being okay with imperfection - which is no small feat!
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Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your story. It can be really difficult to find ways to manage and live with OCD especially with the fear of making mistakes. It sounds like you’ve put in a lot of work to help yourself and I am so proud of you for that.
It’s important to remember that it’s okay to be kind and understanding towards yourself because this journey is about progress, not perfection. If you ever need someone to talk to or hear words of encouragement, then please know that I am here for you. You are not alone in this and together we can make it through!
Hey, I can totally relate to what you’re going through. It’s tough when OCD starts taking over and interfering with daily life. It’s great that you’re recognizing the impact it’s having and trying to find ways to be okay with imperfection. I’ve found that practicing self-compassion and being patient with myself has really helped. It’s definitely not easy, but taking small steps each day is what has made a big difference for me. It’s also okay to seek support from a therapist or counselor if you feel like it’s becoming overwhelming. You’re not alone in this, and it’s awesome that you’re making progress in learning to manage the challenges that OCD brings. Keep at it, and remember to be kind to yourself along the way.
Hey, I can totally relate to what you’re going through with OCD. It’s tough when the need for perfection takes over and starts interfering with daily life. I’ve been there, spending way too long on simple tasks and feeling paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake. It’s a constant battle to learn to be okay with imperfection and not be so hard on ourselves. But trust me, you’re not alone in this struggle. It’s great that you’re working on having patience with yourself and accepting that mistakes happen. Keep practicing and taking it one day at a time, and you’ll get there. Remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection. You’ve got this!