A Week in My Life with OCD
Monday
This morning I found myself checking the front door a few extra times before leaving the house. I know it was locked the first time, but OCD always leaves me with that “what if?” feeling. Instead of beating myself up for the delay, I reminded myself that it’s okay—I still got to get out, and I did what I needed to do. Progress isn’t always about eliminating the behavior, sometimes it’s about noticing it without judgment.
Today, I wrote a short email that turned into a long process of rereading and re-checking. In the past, I might have been frustrated with myself, but today I paused and thought: “I’m just being careful, and that’s not always a bad thing.” I hit send after the third reread instead of the fifth, and that felt like a small win. OCD might slow me down sometimes, but it doesn’t stop me from doing what matters.
Wednesday
Today, intrusive thoughts showed up. They’re uncomfortable, and sometimes they make me question myself, but I’ve been learning that these thoughts are not truths. They’re like background noise that I don’t have to listen to. Instead of panicking, I took a few deep breaths and carried on with my walk. I felt proud afterward—proud that I didn’t let the thoughts control my whole day.
Thursday
A highlight today: I resisted the urge to check the stove before walking outside Normally, that’s a big challenge for me, but I told myself, “I checked it once, and that’s enough.” The first few minutes were hard—my heart raced, and I wanted to turn back—but then the feeling passed. The sense of calm afterward reminded me that facing the fear is worth it.
Friday
Dinner with friends tonight reminded me of something important: OCD can make me doubt myself in social situations, but often the people around me don’t see those doubts at all. I caught myself replaying conversations in my head but gently told myself, “They’re here because they enjoy my company.” That shift in thinking made the evening lighter and more enjoyable.
Saturday
Rest day. I cleaned the kitchen, but I did it because I wanted a cozy, comfortable space, not because I felt pressured by OCD. That difference matters. When I caught myself starting to repeat a task, I stopped and said, “It’s clean enough.” It felt freeing to walk away and enjoy my coffee without circling back.
Sunday
Looking back over this week, I see both challenges and small victories. OCD is part of my life, but it doesn’t define me. Every time I choose kindness toward myself, every time I allow progress to be slow, I take another step forward. Some days are harder than others, but each day gives me another chance to practice patience and resilience. And that, more than anything, encourages me to keep going.