My primary personal flavor of OCD is scrupulosity. I explain it as perfectionism with the constant threat of eternal damnation.
In practice, scrupulosity looks like having rules for everything, and feeling intense distress if they are not followed. Many decisions or actions are over-moralized, and there is a “right” way that things must be done.
🧠 #92: Cleaning the garage
Sometimes wins are big and elaborate. And others are significant in their smallness. This week was one of the latter.
Magically divine gas
From the Babylon Bee: Man Taken Up Into Heaven After Stopping Gas Pump Exactly On The ‘.00’:
A local man has been taken up directly to heaven after managing to miraculously stop a gas pump exactly on the “.00” while filling up his car, sources say.
Cue rueful chuckle with a tinge of sorrow.
🧠 Learning to swear
One aspect of my OCD recovery has been learning that swearing is ok. While my goal is not to be constantly profane, I am not a horrible person if I curse. And neither is anyone else who does.
🧠 #77: Breaking streaks
This past week, I finally broke my journaling streak in Day One. It was not easy, but it was worth it.
🧠 Mental illnesses exaggerate
As I have experienced, learned, and shared about mental health, I have become convinced of two truths that are extensions of the same idea—mental illnesses exaggerate. On the one hand, mental illnesses blow things way out of proportion. And on the other hand, we all experience a degree of most mental illnesses—the diagnosable forms are merely natural responses carried too far, or activated in the wrong setting.
🧠 #76: Therapist therapy
This week, I share the story of providing therapy for my therapist. Or at least something close to that.
🧠📖 On compassion
I received Brené Brown’s newest book, Atlas of the Heart, as a Christmas gift, and have been savoring it. Today I read the section on The Relationship Between Compassion and Empathy was moved. I wanted to share a portion.
🧠 #58: Civil War
It started out as enjoyable and relaxing, but mutated to lock up my brain and take over my life. This update is my story of confronting the Marvel Civil War.
🧠 #57: Impulse control
This week I share about acknowledging grief, delaying action, and making plans with a friend.
🧠 #51: A piece of peace pizza
Someone close to me was sharing her feelings last week. While not terrible, things were difficult for her. I told her that I hoped she could feel at least a piece of peace. Her near-immediate response was, “A piece of peace pizza.” I knew right away that was the title of my next update.