Dear readers,
Thank you for taking the time to read Artfully Exercising.
I can only imagine how busy you all are these days. The fact that you’re spending a few minutes (according to the analytics, my average piece takes about three minutes to read) engaging with my posts is incredible. There’s nothing more valuable to a writer than having a committed readership, and I am incredibly grateful for yours!
The journey to get to this point has been pleasantly surprising.
I wasn’t always passionate about fitness or writing, and struggled mightily with getting into a good routine. Now, both practices are ingrained in my life. I’ve become a good writer (and make a living editing other people’s writing!), and I’ve been making incredible progress with my physical training (and helping others get on track with their fitness routines!).
However, there’s one major roadblock, which (currently) prevents me from reaching my true potential in both the editorial and fitness fields. I suffer from severe OCD, which I’ve written about quite a bit on this platform (if you missed those posts, you can find a few of them here, here and here). Managing OCD is a full-time job with extensive overtime. I’m laboring in dealing with intrusive thoughts far more than the average person toils away at the office. The only time I’m not typically dealing with OCD related thoughts is when I’m asleep. And yet, OCD impacts my quality of sleep, because I’ll be a restless ball of anxiety right up until the minute my head hits the pillow.
OCD is time-consuming, alienating, debilitating and stigmatizing. I’ve been referred to as “neurotic” on one occasion, and although I interpreted it as well-meaning, it signifies my neurodivergent persona in a not so flattering way.
OCD is not a convenient little meme or catchphrase to use when you want to say you’re precise or overly attentive about something. I’ve stood by and listened to friends and colleagues use OCD as an adjective and/or figure of speech. I always look back and wish I had said something in those moments.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “I’m so OCD,” which is often followed up with an anecdote about how someone color-codes their pantry items or is very thorough about cleaning. Maybe you’ve even used that line yourself in a similar manner.
Associating OCD as a lighthearted, self-deprecating joke is so flippant that there’s a #soOCD hashtag on social media. You might have taken one of those online quizzes to find out “how OCD” you are. These catchphrases, hashtags and quiz games are utter nonsense. They get OCD completely wrong and uphold the stigma of it being a quirk, or worse, something that’s worthwhile. It’s for the best if you refrain from doing these quizzes (especially sharing the results) and using the phrase “I’m so OCD.” People with real OCD see and hear this, and it’s insulting to us because it minimizes and misrepresents our disorder.
Those of us suffering from OCD understand that it's not a character trait to describe having a preference for order and organization. It’s actually total chaos if you have one of the more severe cases like I do. OCD causes me constant distress and impairs my ability to function.
Exercising has been an enormous relief for my symptoms, but even during an exercise session, OCD creeps in. I’m triggered by the sounds of coughs and sneezes, the sight of detritus or anything my mind can conjure up thoughts of contamination about. The good news is that it’s easier to combat these thoughts when I’m doing something that requires a lot of mental concentration and physical effort.
I’m also cognizant that I run the risk of having intrusive thoughts about exercise, and using it as a coping mechanism. Thankfully, I’ve not let myself succumb to that. I realize that the way I treat physical exercise and wellness might hold some clues to how I can get a good grip on treating my mental health at large.
I’ll dive into some more specific fitness-focused strategies and mechanisms I’m applying in order to deal with my OCD and mental health in a series of posts to follow, so stay tuned!
Thanks for reading Artfully Exercising!
Documenting my physical and mental health journey in the form of Artfully Exercising has been a labor of love, which takes a lot of (well spent) time, energy and resources to write the content you receive in your email boxes. If my writing has given you any sort of inspiration and enrichment, please consider making a contribution by becoming a paid subscriber or making a one time contribution.
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If what I’ve written resonates with you, and/or you want to share your thoughts, please leave me a comment! One of the most rewarding things about writing is getting feedback and making connections with others!
Adam, not to minimize OCD but I welcome your intrusive thoughts on anything art-related at any time! I don’t say the same for exercise (though I should) because it would detract from the unhealthy amount of time I spend perusing, posturing and poring over even “bad” contemporary art… cuz it’s all good! 😂