Bulletin Board
Posted by "B" on 7/19/2011
It can be hard to overcome certain things. I have always had anxiety and very mild o.c.d. I became a perfectionist and I had to have everything done the "right way" or else I would go into an anxiety attack. This started to really make it hard for the people in my life because I could never relax. This affected my relationship with my family and friends.
Being in the foster system where I always had a roommate made my need to control and be perfect a bigger problem. I then had to learn true acceptance. I started with the "small" stuff which was my first big step. I was given the best advice that helped me overcome my anxiety and O.C.D. A wise friend told me that I need to accept certain things as they are and I need to remind myself that it's ok to not be in control. It was easier said than done.
That night I was faced with my first test. I remember working on some homework on my bed when my new roommate came in and kicked her shoes off in the middle of the floor. My obsessive compulsive disorder instantly kicked in. I couldn't take my eyes off her shoes in the middle of my perfect room. My anxiety went into effect and then it hit me, I told myself for the first time that it was ok. I reminded myself that I'm strong and I wasn't about to let this obsession to be perfect my surroundings control me any longer. I didn't move the shoes and I managed to make it through the night. After that, acceptance became my biggest value and it still is. The only way to overcome anything in life is to accept it first.
