stop obsessing

I have a horrible habit of obsessing over issues that aren’t even issues. Thus when an actual issue comes up, well, it’s like the end of the world.

I think alot of it comes down to self confidence. Most of my ‘issues’ are usually about how i’m doing with something, and what people think of me. I spend far too much time analysing and planning something that might never happen, trying to map my life out when life never turns out that way. I waste so much time doing this when it never even happened in the first place.

If i had confidence in myself, i would spend far less time obsessing about how i’m doing and more about what i’m doing. I will be happier, more comfortable in myself and i won’t care what people think about me, allowing this further. I am in the opposite cycle, i worry about what people think of me, becoming uncomfortable and stressed, worrying even more and getting stressed because i am stressed! I want the opposite cycle.

It is a habit i’ve had for years and i could have done so much more with myself and become much happier if i had sorted this earlier in my life but i’m still young, still studying and still have my life ahead of me, so now is a good time.

I have OCD. Sometimes it barely affects me. Other times it majorly interferes with me enjoying my life. Lately it has been more of the latter. So when I have an intrusive thought or notice myself starting to obsess I have been doing the following:
telling myself ” I am not thinking about _ right now. right now i am noticing the bodily sensations i am experiencing.” and i do a quick body scan from my toes up. are my toes tingling? are my legs heavy? are there butterflies in my stomach? is my face warm? are my palms sweaty? is my heart racing? etc. etc. Although I was skeptical of this suggestion from my therapist at first, I have found that it is incredibly effective to focus on bodily sensations as soon as i notice an intense emotion (in this case anxiety) because it allows me to embrace my emotion without getting caught up in my head.

If anyone else has any techniques they use let me know!

Megan

I have a desire to please people and create an impression.If someone says something negative I really obsess about it and go over it again and again to dig out my role in it .. Now I realise it is a folly and I must get over it asap

i am obsessed over everything. my ex. my so called friends. where i see myself in the next 2 years. wait, is obsessing and worrying the same…feels like it. i want to live a carefree life but i can’t. i am such an analytical person and my mother has always been a worrywart, now i see myself doing it. how do you stop obsessing over things that you cannot fix? im at the point where i get stomach pains or panic attacks if i obsess over certain things for too long.

I want to live life again – not think food drink & be out of it

Obsession can be good and bad. Part of what has driven many sucessful people over the ages is an obsession to succeed, to be the best, to do more, be more. Sadly most often times obsession manifests itself in a darker form. The obsessor rarely knows that they are obsessing. The turning point for me was to realize when I was obsessing and actively curb the habit. Sometimes its as simple as just letting go. Other times it requires a great amount of determination. I still find myself obsessing over tiny details, repeating things over and over for no good reason. But like all “habits” the behavior can be unlearnt. Just takes time; patience.

For a month, I am obsessed with this girl. Most of the time I am thinking about her. I know it is pathetic and I never used to be like this. I have wasted enough time on this, I have to get over with this one, and not let this come in between my other priorities.
Writing this is making me feel better now, I think I will be fine. I just need to put some real effort.

My mind never stops. Im always thinking and over analizing. I hate it. I wish i was just a layed back go with the flow type person. This is definately something that needs improving within my life.

i obsess all the time. i over-analyze everything. why don’t i have more important things to take up the space in my head?

Ok, I have not done very well with this. I don’t spend a lot of time trying not to obsess cause…well, I’m too busy obsessing. I need to find a way to stop that thinking in its tracks. I need to come up with some motto or action that stops the process. The hardest thing is to get started. It just gets easier from there.
It’s just a laziness of mind that keeps me thinking in these tracks.