314: Black-and-White Thinking Around Morality & Showing Up Anyway

In this solo episode, I acknowledge how oppression and the systems we live in inherently impact mental health and one's sense of safety (if not directly), from what's happening in the US to the experiences of those living under oppression. 

I hold space for all the emotions that come from witnessing harm caused by systems of power, including ICE and the US government, to those fighting for freedom in Iran, for those trying to simply survive in Gaza, and more.

I get into what it can look like to experience OCD thoughts around morality, and the black-and-white thinking that can keep us stuck in our thoughts, rather than taking action and showing up with community.

Throughout the episode, I identify moral OCD-related thoughts that show up in real time, and what it looks like to simply notice and name them without proving, engaging, or trying to analyze them. 

OCD thrives on extremes and our thoughts can convince us we're not doing "enough." I share how showing up, in incremental ways, can make a difference rather than feeling stuck in the thoughts and loneliness. I also share how my recent birthday and celebrating brought us similar feelings, including guilt, confusion, and all-or-nothing.

While I share my personal process in this episode, this episode is hopefully a reminder that you are allowed to feel guilt, confusion, anxiety, joy, all the feelings without shame or judgment. We can continue to show up, lean into this work, take action AND check in with our nervous system and honor what our bodies need. 

*As always, relating to this episode does not necessarily mean you live with OCD. I'm simply sharing how OCD shows up in this experience for me.

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