Friday, September 21, 2012

Answers to your questions

Wow. You guys know how to ask questions!

I’m usually the one asking questions, whether it’s on the job as a reporter or in my personal life. I have been reminded that it’s not always easy to be the one answering the questions.

This exercise was fun, though. And your questions really made me ponder some things.

Thank you to those who participated in this!


Shannon at She’s Mental
How in the world do you think you were chosen to get the blessing of these illnesses?
  I wish I knew. I don’t know whether or not I was “meant” to have OCD and depression. But I do believe that because I have them, I have had experiences that help me relate to others with mental illnesses.


Amanda at Therapy Addict
Is there anything that folks do not know or understand about OCD, that you wish they did? Has blogging helped you in some way, in terms of dealing with your diagnoses?
  I don’t think everyone without OCD understands how exhausting it is. The anxiety is draining, and the compulsions can take up a lot of time and effort.
  Blogging has been tremendously helpful to me. I have met some incredibly supportive and caring people online who understand what I go through. And blogging provides me with an opportunity to connect with others.


I know you’re not supposed to . . . but do you have a favorite cat? (shhh, I won’t tell!)
Do you want to get me in trouble with my kitties?
Seriously, I love all my kitties, including those who are no longer with us.
I did have a special relationship with Waddles. She was my first baby, and we spent a lot of time together.


What is one thing you would love to have or achieve in your life, but you know you won't be able to do it, and how can you compensate?
  I couldn’t think of one thing I want to have or achieve that I know I won’t be able to in some way, but I do have a sense of lost opportunities. I know I’ll never be 21 again with all the possibilities that I once had. I try to compensate for that feeling by remembering that all I really have is now, and I can still accomplish a lot.


Why do you love cats?
  I love dogs and other animals, too, but cats are special to me for many reasons. They are graceful but strong, independent but loving, and funny. So funny. I love to watch them move and eat and bathe and play and sleep. Everything they do is done with great elegance.


Do you think that it’s ever possible to totally overcome an OCD obsession, or is it always there?
I have to answer I don’t know, but I lean towards thinking no, you can’t ever completely get over an OCD obsession. It fades to the background and can seem forgotten, but then it can reappear for seemingly no reason.
What changes more is my ability to resist the obsession and not give in to the compulsion. For me, that’s what I have more control over.


How does OCD influence your writing life (if it does)? What are you writing right now (for yourself, not for work)?
OCD affects my writing in a couple of ways. Time given to obsessions and compulsions is time that I could be writing. And sometimes an obsession about plagiarism eats away at my creativity.
Right now, I’m working on a memoir about my life with OCD and depression. I’ve also started writing poetry again after many years.


What makes you angry? And if I can ask a second one, it would be: If you could be granted a wish and be ride of one obsession/compulsion forever, what would it be?
Many things can make me angry, but what is sure to make me angry is when I witness someone taking advantage of a person or animal. Injustice makes me angry.
If I could be rid of one obsession/compulsion forever, it would be my writing OCD. I hate the anxiety that keeps me from being willing to sit down and write sometimes. I hate worrying about plagiarism and being perfect. Writing OCD affects what I love to do.


Janet at ocdtalk
If you weren’t blogging about mental illness, or cats, what topics would you like to blog about?
  I think I would have a writing/storytelling blog. I would write about my writing life, share pieces for feedback, and tell stories.


What is the piece of writing that you are most proud of?
 What came to mind is an essay that I wrote about Waddles. It is about how much she helped to change my life for the better. I wrote it a few years ago, but I still tweak it from time to time. I may publish it on my blog eventually.
   

Do you write every day or do you keep a particular schedule (apart from the blogging schedule, that is)?
  I write mostly in the evening. I also try to write during the day on the weekends. I am trying to transition to a schedule where I write early in the morning, but that’s not going very well.


Added later: one more question--
Lolly of Lolly's Hope
Can I steal this idea and use it in the future on my blog? Also, what is your favorite food?
  Of course you can use this idea. I got the idea from another blog myself.
  My favorite food is peanut butter. And bread. And caramel.

  And now, dear readers, please leave me a comment and tell me why you started blogging, or, if you don’t blog, why you read blogs.

24 comments:

  1. Thankyou for answering my question! I agree - there have been times when I've thought that an obsession was easing or had completely disappeared, but as soon as I became more stressed, it popped back up...It's a shame!

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    1. Kate, yes, it is a shame. I'd like to rid myself of the obsessions! I guess we just deal with them as they come.

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  2. This was such a great exercise, and thank you for opening up to us!

    I started blogging because I was having a very difficult time with my life at the time I did. I was going through so much personally, the Bipolar was very bad at that time, and I wanted to share my journey and find support and comraderie in others.

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    1. Yaya, sounds like we started blogging for similar reasons. It has been a blessing for me!

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  3. I enjoyed reading this!

    You could start a second blog for your writing/storytelling....

    I started a blog because I love to write and I love to connect with people on a deep level.

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth! I don't know if I have the energy for a second blog right now, but I've considered it.

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  4. You answered the questions so eloquently, you have a gift Tina and I am so glad you are blogging.
    I started blogging many years ago but it was not the blog I have now and I don't think I ever mentioned my OCD in it. I quit blogging for a couple years, there was a move and job changes.. and then my family went through a horrible tragedy that really made me angry at God and the world because it made it seem a very unsafe place for me but especially for the people I love. OCD has always made things appear unsafe to me, so to have my worst fears really happen threw me for a loop. My anxiety was horrible and I used writing my blog as a way to release some feelings, to heal and to hopefully lend support and concern to others out there with anxiety, depression, OCD or whatever illness they stuggle with.

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    1. Thank you, Krystal Lynn! I'm sorry you went through that terrible time. You offer so much support and wisdom in your blog--I'm glad you're blogging, too!

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  5. I love all animals too, but I agree that cats are special. They are discerning in their affection, so you know when you've earned a cat's love, you've really earned it.

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    1. Lisa, I agree, and they're so loyal, too, once you've earned their trust.

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  6. Blogging started 5-years ago, after a friend began one & convinced me to join up. That blog lasted all of 2-months (and 6 whole posts) - then I took a two year holiday.

    Not sure why I started writing again in 2009 on a new blog - but it has been wonderful therapy to help in dealing with depression. Well it has since I actually started writing about my illness two years ago. I also knew there were other people out there living with the same issues - and perhaps in some way I could help another person thru my blog. I love writing, and I have been helped so much by reading other's words (including your own, of course) - just wanted to "pass it on" somehow.

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    1. I enjoy reading your blog--you are surely passing on to others what you've learned. Thank you.

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  7. I've always enjoyed writing as a creative outlet and as a way to work out the things that were going on in my life. Right now, I'm dealing with new diagnoses at midlife and blogging seemed a good way to not only journal but connect with other people.

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    1. Writing helps me work things out, too. It helps me figure out what I'm thinking sometimes. Connecting with others has been one of the biggest blessings of blogging for me.

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  8. Oh, I definitely want to read that essay about Waddles (when you're ready!). Thanks for answering my question.

    A friend of mine had started a blog about OCD, and I was interested by it. I mentioned it to my psychologist, and she encouraged me to try writing one myself. She knew that I wanted to help others and share my experiences, but I think she also knew that keeping secrets was really bad for me. She was right. It helped me to discover a new purpose in my life - mental illness advocacy. Writing about OCD helps to normalize it for me. I feel less alone and less "different," if that makes any sense. I also read blogs to connect with others, feel less alone, and learn ways to fight my OCD.

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    1. Sunny, you do such a wonderful job with your blog. You are living out your new purpose, that is clear. Thank you.

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  9. I loved this exercise Tina, even though after all the questions everyone else asked I had none left!
    I only discovered the world of blogging quite recently, but the ones that deal with OCD and depression help me so much. They make me realise I'm not the only one suffering from it and there are a lot of useful hints and tips etc too. And it's challenging too.

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    1. Klaaske, I find myself challenged by others' blogs, too. And reading others' blogs and comments like yours helps me feel less alone.

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  10. What a wonderful post. Your question and answer section was very informative to someone who does not suffer but is compassionate towards OCD. I learned a lot and thank you for sharing.

    I started blogging once I began therapy. So I decided to blog about my journey. What a blessing. And speaking of blessings, your blog is as well. Hugs.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment! Blogging has been such a blessing to me, too.

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  11. I started blogging because I didn't want to bother my friends and family members with all of my stories about therapy ;0) And then it moved into connecting with others - knowing that my story is similar to someone else's is a feeling that I cannot describe.

    Your answers are very similar to how I would answer similar questions. Like many others, I may snag this idea for my own blog! Thanks for answering my questions!

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    1. Amanda, isn't it wonderful how connections can result from blogging? Such a blessing.

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  12. Tina, you're so dang creative. I love it! What a fabulous idea. The questions readers posed were interesting and your answers even more so. I might have to steal this idea too at some point, if you don't mind. You know what they say, "Thievery is the best form of flattery," or something like that. :)

    Cats ROCK! I agree. They are so funny. And what makes you angry is what makes me angry too. Injustice. Seeing the vulnerable (people or animals) being hurt by bullies, makes me want to scream!

    Great post as always. Good luck on the memoir project. (I worry about plagiarism too sometimes. Like, is that my idea or did I just read it somewhere? To some extent, I think this is a normal writer's thing.)

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    1. Grace, Thank you! I look forward to your q&a blog post!

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