Hey there, OCD warriors! If you're on this journey with OCD and anxiety, this one's for you and it's not a topic I've talked about yet. Also it's super important with your recovery. We're going to go over why giving your self grace and self compassion boost your ocd recovery success and how to do it correctly.

Ever feel like you're on a rollercoaster of self-criticism and frustration? All you see is bad. Maybe you're doing well for a while and one morning you feel those dreaded OCD feelings and start giving into compulsions again. Hey no worries. That's life. What happened to all the good that came your way? Why aren't we focusing on that.

Picture this: You're working hard on your OCD treatment, but oops, you stumble. Maybe a compulsion slipped through, or intrusive thoughts got the best of you. It happens! Now, here's the magic – it's how you react to it.

I want you to do something for me. Tell me a time where shame and guilt changed the trajectory of someone's life. I remember Johnny, he would make tons of mistakes and continually call himself a dummy. He's no good. He'll never stop. He's worthless. Since he was so mean to himself, he then overcame his mistakes and now is the CEO of a major company and lives in mansion. All due to him focusing on beating himself up for his mistakes.

Uhhhhhh, does that sound right? No. So, if we know it doesn't do any good, why do we do it? I think it's pretty natural and we must challenge these thoughts.

Imagine a friend comes to you with the same struggles you face. Would you throw judgment their way or offer a helping hand? Most likely, it's the latter. Well, guess what? You deserve that same kindness.

Think of OCD recovery like learning to ride a bike. You're going to wobble, maybe even fall. But the key? Getting back up. Treating yourself with compassion is like having training wheels on that bike – they're there to support you as you navigate this journey.

Embrace the stumble, because, in reality, it's a step forward. Each slip is a chance to learn, to grow stronger, and to refine your approach.

Self-compassion for OCD

Now, it's time to show yourself some serious grace and self-compassion. Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Acknowledge It: First things first, recognize that you've hit a little hiccup. No shame, no blame – just an acknowledgment.

2. No Judgy McJudgerson: Drop the self-judgment. Seriously, don't beat yourself up. You're human, and humans make mistakes. Embrace it!

3. Take a Breath: Inhale, exhale. Give yourself a moment to breathe. It's not the end of the world; it's just a detour.

4. Reflect, Don't Dwell: Take a quick look at what happened. What triggered you? What can you learn from this stumble? But remember, this isn't dwelling – it's growing.

5. Positive Pep Talk: Now, talk to yourself like you would to your best friend. What encouraging words would you share with them? Offer that same kindness to yourself.

6. Adjust Your Course: You stumbled, but guess what? You're still moving forward. Adjust your treatment plan if needed, and keep on truckin'.

7. Celebrate Progress: Hey, you've come a long way! Don't forget to celebrate the victories, big or small. Progress is progress.

8. Connect with Support: Reach out to your support system – friends, family, or a therapist. Share what happened and let them be your cheerleaders.

9. Self-Love Ritual: Treat yourself with a little self-love. It could be a favorite activity, a warm bath, or getting your favorite drink. You deserve it.

10. Remember Your Strength: You're dealing with OCD head-on – that's a feat in itself. Remind yourself of your strength and resilience.

But here's the big bonus step. You've go to act the act and walk the walk. You have to act like the person you want to become.

Celebrate mistakes. They are opportunities to learn, whether you've been doing compulsions for 15 years, or just started, learn learn learn. What am I going to do differently next time and I will fully accept that I may make the same mistake. Showing love is important. It's okay with OCD to have mantras. I'm amazing, I'm awesome, I can do this thing, I'm stronger than OCD, Nothing's going to get me down.

If you found this video helpful, please help me out and hit that thumbs up button.

Also, you're going to need to know these tips here if you want the upper hand in beating OCD once and for all.