Always Look for the Next Mountain
I had written previously in this blog post that OCD recovery is not a “state” - it is a mindset. There should never be a moment where you think: “I am complete. I no longer need to practice ERP/ACT/Mindfulness/Acceptance/etc…” Instead, you should always be hungry to improve and get stronger by implementing these practices in your life. I’ve said it many times before on this blog, but the skills you learn through ERP and ACT don’t just end once you recover from OCD - they are applicable to any challenging or difficult situation you may find yourself in. And much like how our physical fitness starts to degrade if we stop working out regularly, our mental fitness too can dull over time if we don’t routinely practice mindfulness and acceptance, or seek out opportunities to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations.
The 5-Step OCD Recovery Primer
I’ve been wanting to put something like this together for a long time - basically a “primer” on key topics that everyone should read and understand as they go through their OCD recovery journey. This is not meant to be an exhaustive and fully detailed recovery plan, but more of a rough outline covering the key topics and steps along the way. I’ve created the 5-Step Primer below, with links to other blog posts I’ve written on the various topics, which will help keep things organized and direct you to the most relevant topics. Use this as a resource to help structure your own personal recovery plan and/or to help supplement any formal therapy you are receiving from a licensed mental health professional. As a disclaimer, I am not a certified psychologist or psychiatrist, but I believe this 5-Step Primer will be helpful for anyone going through the OCD recovery journey.
The Power of Positive Thinking
It’s been a few weeks since I last posted on my blog due to a bunch of life changes - my wife and I bought a new house and have been busy moving in, I got assigned to some new projects at work which have been challenging but rewarding, and…. I injured my foot and have been busy doing physical therapy and rehab. So there’s been quite a few new changes in my life recently (mostly positive) but also a major negative change which has impacted my normal way of living.
Winter Storm Reflections
I live in a state that was severely impacted by the recent North American winter storm. During this storm, myself (along with millions of others) spent days without power, running water, heat, and internet, all while under below freezing temperatures. Even now as I am writing this blog post, thousands of people in my city are still without power, nearly six days after the storm first hit.
Making it through the worst of the storm was an interesting experience. For my state in particular, we had very little infrastructure or preparedness to weather the intensity and severity of the storm (some people are describing it as the worst winter storm in decades). As a result, many people were caught off-guard and had to scramble to survive for days without adequate power, water, or food. It’s truly a heartbreaking experience to see so many stories of people struggling for basic amenities that we would normally take for granted.