OCD Action

Truddles
Member

I'm not going to make any New Year Resolutions this year. My resolutions always seemed to contain negative statements such as 'I will not do. . . .' and so end up making me feel depressed.

So in keeping with what I’m being taught about reinforcing positive thinking I’ve decided in 2012 to set monthly goals instead.
At the end of each month I will set a handful of realistically achievable goals for the following month. (If the goals aren’t achievable it saps your confidence making it even more difficult to cope with the OCD)

Just for starters I've jotted down the following to go on my list:

I will take time out every day to listen to my relaxation CD.
I will reduce my hand washing ritual by at least one step.

Wed Dec 14 2011 8:38:29 #
ACB33
Member

Hi Truddles,

Im really liking this idea of an alternative New Years Resolution - I never make them but beings this OCD is very new to me at the moment as Ive only been suffering for a few months I quite like the idea of setting targets as I think that is a big help.

I wish you all the very best and success in your resolution list

ACB33

Wed Dec 14 2011 10:39:27 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi there... I like this idea too... I'm probably gonna do the same two things... I certainly like the idea of reducing the handwashing a bit at a time... I don't know whether I can do this, but it is worth a try, and to know that someone else is doing the same, that's a support network... Good luck to all of us in the new year...
wannabe

Wed Dec 14 2011 20:58:33 #
swan
Member

Hi, I try to do goals for each day i can then monitor more easily how Im getting on. Dont always mange to set a goal but try ie goal not top go to bed til 10pm.

Mon Dec 19 2011 20:12:45 #
Truddles
Member

I will get to bed before midnight

Mon Dec 19 2011 20:55:07 #
Truddles
Member

I will try to sometimes put me first

Mon Dec 26 2011 18:01:42 #
slogsweep
Member

This is one of the ways I got out of my recent rut. I set daily targets on my phone, what time to get out of bed, how many meals to eat, what activities I've been putting off I can do etc.

I urge anyone who really is in the pits, to take a diary or a planner, even the calendar on your phone, and add these targets. Start small. My first target was to be out of bed before 11 and eat two meals, one hot, daily.

They eventually became more complex. With the help of this community everything became more bearable again.

Best wishes,

Slog

Mon Dec 26 2011 21:04:13 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Slog, that is a good idea... I will try and set myself targets too, some I've already done once or twice before, for the practice... That seems to work for me... Nothing breeds success like success, so I dothings more than once... It really defies the OCD... I'm also going to start having slightly earlier nights, so I'm off to night night right now, with a good DVD to break he silence of the bedroom... Night night eveyone... I'm just gonna call at the party one more time on the way...
wannabe

Mon Dec 26 2011 21:44:05 #
slogsweep
Member

Yes please do Wannabe, any boost you can give yourself will make you stronger. It's so rewarding when you're down to tick off a target. If I failed a target, I'd try extra hard the next day to do it. I even began to add bonus targets, where I could award myself a treat, like a trip to the pub or a cheap video game if I succeeded.

It worked, kept my mind off OCD a fair bit.

Slog

Mon Dec 26 2011 22:27:41 #
Tess
Member

Slog, that's a great tip, I think you should add it to the 101 thread.

Tue Dec 27 2011 10:25:18 #
Truddles
Member

I too set myself daily targets but I also find that it helps to keep a record of all my OCD achievements however small. It means that when I'm having a bad day I can look at my list and see just how much I have managed to achieve. As my list grows so does my confidence and self-esteem.

Tue Dec 27 2011 16:52:50 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Trudy, I agree, it has been good to read your achievements on the achievement board... Well done, It is good to see... When we look at our achievements, It shows that even if we take a step back sometimes, we are still moving forward...
wannabe

Tue Dec 27 2011 21:07:52 #