Monday, April 29, 2013

OCD and fear of change


My blogging friend Keith recently wrote a great post about change called “If you do what you’ve always done . . .” on his blog Musings of an Unapologetic Dreamer.
In the post, he ponders the quote, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

This resonated with me because I want to make some positive changes in my life, and my tendency is to think about them and wait for them to happen to me.
As Keith says in his blog post, “if you want something different, you need to do something different.”

I want to do something different. I want to start my own business. I want to start a freelance editing business.

Just telling you that is kind of scary. But the real fear has come as I’ve gotten deeper into planning.
Many people have fears when they consider starting a business. They worry about being able to get clients or customers. They worry about being able to make money. They wonder if they have what it takes to be successful.
My biggest fears are connected to my OCD.
I have OCD about reading and writing. When the reading OCD is active, I have a hard time reading a passage without compulsively rereading it. When the writing OCD is active, I may write and rewrite, worrying about whether the correct meaning is being conveyed with my words.
Would having OCD make it impossible for me to be a successful freelance editor? Would I get so bogged down with OCD that I wouldn’t be able to perform the job?

I could physically feel the fear Sunday afternoon as I read about starting a business. My heartbeat quickened. I felt nauseated. I felt a sense of foreboding.
But I also recognized what was happening. I thought about all the times I’ve been excited about making a change, then let fear stop me. I thought about how I want my life to be different, a life lived according to my priorities and values.
I thought about how I want to do something different.
I have OCD. And I have generalized anxiety disorder and depression. But I’m also being treated for them. I’ve learned ways to manage them. I’m so much better than I used to be, and I have every hope that improvement will continue.
The fears I’m feeling are understandable. They are not an excuse to stop my plans.

I didn’t intend to write a post about freelancing yet. But I decided to tell you what I was planning and what I feared. Being open with you about my fears helps me push them back. It makes it easier for me to take the next step in putting together a business.
So more news to come. Stay tuned!

When have you had to push past fear to accomplish something important to you? How did you do it?

40 comments:

  1. How exciting! I want to do that too! You do have some valid concerns, but you also manage to write blog posts on a regular basis and work as a reporter, so you must be able to get through your OCD reading/writing issues to some degree, right?

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    1. Thanks, Kristina. I remember that you enjoy editing, too--we'll have to be moral support to each other when the going gets tough! And you help put things in perspective--I'm already pushing through the OCD; I can keep doing it. I am going to keep my day job, so I'll continue to get plenty of practice!

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  2. Having goals and dreams is so important. No matter the age. Good luck with the freelancing Tina!

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    1. Thank you, Nancy. I'll be 50 soon, and I am not going to let getting older stop me. It's something that I want to try.

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  3. Oh I agree with Nancy Tina dreams are important and those fears must not stop us from trying. Your treatments are working and you have to trust that and yourself. You are going to do great. Hug B

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    1. Thank you, B. You've reminded me of something important--I need to trust the treatments and myself.

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  4. Hurray!!! Claim it - and now we are all cheering for you - Make it so - and live the life of your dreams.

    You are brave.

    yeppers,I have occasion to "push back fear" regularly. Nike came up with a good quote when they gave us, "Just Do It."

    love & love,
    -g-

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    1. Thank you for your support, Georgy. I don't feel brave. But I feel excited!

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  5. That is a big change - I can see why it would bring you anxiety to think about it. Have you tried making an outline of steps you would need to take to get started? Maybe that would help - sometimes if you have a plan it makes you feel better about things!

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    1. That is a good idea, Lisa. Thank you for that and for your support. I have a running list of things I need to do, but I do need to start putting things in order. I'm doing a lot of research. One thing that is helping with the anxiety is that I'm not giving up my day job. The freelancing will be on the side.

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  6. Tina it's apparent that you definitely have a passion for this and that it's definitely something that you have been thinking of a lot. You know what? I think you should go for it!! I know there will be apprehensions and fears but you are a very self-aware person and I have no doubt whatsoever that you would be able to manage those apprehensions for what they are...completely natural. This is exciting!

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    1. Thank you, Keith. It will be a big change for me to put myself out there and solicit editing work. I am keeping my day job, so that takes a lot of pressure off. I hope I can focus on finding the extra work that I enjoy doing. Thanks for your inspiration!

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  7. Starting a business is scary for everyone. And OCD would make it even scarier. Every time I catch a cold it is like the flu. So when I'm working on a project or book I can't procrastinate. In case I get sick. Thanks for sharing your dreams. I wish you the best of luck.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your experience, Sharon. You've got some good points. I will have to prepare for the possibility of days I might not be able to work.

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  8. i agree, the idea of starting your own business would be terrifying to almost anyone, but probably many times more difficult with ocd. i do commend your bravery in 'fessing up' to what you're thinking of.

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    1. Thanks, Tex. I appreciate the support I get from the blogging community.

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  9. a great entry!! blogger inspiring blogger, it's a beautiful thing!! my husband and i started a business when we were 19. he was the work horse, i was the support system and motivator. it went very well, we retired when we were 44 when i was dx with MS. we worked very hard when we worked but it has enabled us to enjoy an early retirment!!

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. It is a beautiful thing, this support and inspiration! I'm so glad that you and your husband are enjoying your retirement. I can tell from your photos that you enjoy being with each other!

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  10. To answer your question, I have switched job paths several times in my life and on several occasions taken on new responsibilities that I was so fearful of, but every single time it was a totally positive experience. On one occasion I was requested by my employer to take an analytic chemistry class at Texas A & M. Math, not being my strong point, I almost said no out of fear but when I passed that class I felt like a rock star. lol There is something truly rewarding about pushing beyond your wall of fear, on the other side you get a real sense of accomplishment and a boost of self esteem.
    I have always viewed failure as "complete failure" but I think that may be a cognitive deception in my noggin, because I have met many, many people who see failure as just a bump in the road, an opportunity to learn, so they re-route their course or try again with the new knowledge they gained. When you think about it, the only way to guarantee failure is not to try.
    I hope you pursue your dreams Tina.

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    1. Thank you, Krystal Lynn. It helps to know that you've been through changes and had positive experiences despite the fear in the beginning. You're so right--if we don't try, then there's no chance we'll succeed.

      And I think you're a rock star!

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  11. Tina! This is exciting news! I'm excited for you!

    Will you be setting up a website or just contracting yourself out...or do you even know yet?

    If you ever need any help with getting set up, let me know. It's all fresh in my mind from all the steps I had to take just about a year ago to set up my Etsy shop.

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth, for your support and offers to help. I will have a website, but I'm not sure yet how else I will market my services. I'm working through exactly what services I want to start out offering, what I need to do from the business perspective (business license, taxes, etc.), how things will be set up, etc.

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  12. Thank you for writing and sharing this blog post that I can so relate to in many ways! I too have started my own business, mine in life coaching, and while I think pretty much all entrepreneurs have fears and self-doubts that can hold them back sometimes, I think OCD and anxiety can really compound those. I know for me the need to make the "right" decision has led to a lot of overthinking, but I am also grateful to have come such a long way that now my focus is on helping women with OCD and anxiety make their dreams stronger than their fears and take action towards making their goals a reality.

    All the best in your new business!

    Elizabeth
    www.heartandsoulliving.com

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth. I appreciate your kind words and your sharing of your experience. It's funny, because I just found your newest blog post via Twitter and had it open in my browser when I received your comment. I enjoyed your post, and I wish you the best as you continue your dream!

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  13. Oh I think you would be an AWESOME freelance writer, Tina! Just reading what you write here all the time shows us all how much talent you have.

    I get the fear - and I think it's normal, probably even expected. I also get fear stopping you. Been there too many times. I personally also have a deep seated fear of failure. That worries me more than not making money or any of those other things. I just have to know in my mind that I'm a "successful" person, whatever that means. Ugh.

    I'm really proud of you for pursuing this. I think you would be great at this. There may be some bumps and roadblocks along the way, but you are a really strong woman and I definitely can see you pushing through.

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    1. Thank you, Sunny, for your encouragement. It helps! I will probably focus on freelance editing rather than writing. I enjoy editing, and I want to work on my "own" writing, too. Yes, I understand the fear of failure. I have that, too. But as Krystal Lynn said in her comment above, failure can be an opportunity to learn. I want to have that attitude, but it's hard sometimes.

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    2. OK so I'm a goofball. I know you wrote editing, but for some reason I read writing! Well, you need to be a good writer to be a good editor, so I know you will be awesome at that too!

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  14. Great post Tina, and I can tell you that even those of us without OCD have fears that revolve around taking chances and failing. What I usually try to ask myself, is, "What's the worst that will happen?" And the answer is my idea/project/dream, whatever it is, won't work. But regardless, I will have tried. I think it's better to fail at something than to never attempt it at all. That being said, I'm guessing you'll be successful. I hope you go for it!!

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    1. Thanks, Janet. I like that question you ask yourself. That's actually a good way to battle anxiety--use that question to get at the worst possible outcome and sit with the feelings of anxiety.

      I agree that it's better to try and fail than not to try. I was reading something online today about things that people regret, and overall they regretted things they didn't do more than things they did do.

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  15. I am so excited for you! Like everyone else, I know that you are a fantastic writer and editor. SO happy you are not letting your fears control you - thanks for being my daily encouragement to do the same.

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    1. Thank you, Anna, for your kind words and encouragment. I appreciate it!

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  16. About 25 years ago (when I was married), I was visiting my husband's sister and her husband. Their children were getting very rowdy and hitting their cat with pillows. I was in the living room with my husband and his sister, the children were in the bedroom. All of a sudden the cat, tired of being beaten up on, came running into the living room and jumped on MY LAP! The kids were not far behind. I had seconds to think "Should I say something?" You bet I did! I spoke up for the cat, who couldn't speak for himself. I told the children and their mother that it is obvious that the cat has had enough roughhousing, and that the cat came to me of all people, and I certainly wasn't going to allow anymore such treatment of this cat. It took courage for me to do this but I am glad I did and have no regrets. Needless to say I wasn't very popular for the rest of the visit, but I said what needed to be said and the cat stayed in my lap for pretty much the reminder of my visit.

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  17. Hi Tina, so sorry, I got so wrapped up in my story I forgot to tell you that I am very happy and excited for you!

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    1. Thank you, Linda, for your support and for sharing your story. Good for you! Thank you for standing up for that cat and protecting him. I know that did take courage and a lot of compassion.

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  18. What an exciting path you're on! I can't wait to see how this new direction unfolds for you. It's not easy, I know! I still struggle a lot personally, though I keep on going in spite of the fear.

    It has helped me to know that other novelists, even very successful ones, go through intense fear and self-doubt. Reading stories of people who succeed in spite of their struggles inspires me. I think that as I read your blog and feel such a kinship with you, it feels as though we're going through this together, and that helps me to keep going when I feel discouraged.

    I also have stepchildren who need me to model my own healing path for them so that they feel safe enough to embrace their journeys. As this has happened, we are starting to switch roles, and they are modeling for me, too!

    Nadine

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    1. Nadine, thank you so much for your kind comment. I am so glad that we connected. I get a lot of inspiration from you! I have learned a lot from you about embracing a healing path. It's great that your stepchildren have someone like you in their lives.

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  19. Thinking about it briefly, most important things to me that require a change of action involve fear. Sometimes the alternative fears and emotions related to not changing outweigh the fear of change, though. So that helps sometimes. And sometimes, I want something bad enough to push through the anxiety. And sometimes it is a combination of knowing I need to change something, wanting something else, and encouragement from other people and/or my therapist. Somehow, having my therapist on board (even if she doesn't know it) helps. For example, if I go do a social activity or an exercise activity, I know that that is something she believes is good for me, so that helps me believe it is worth doing.

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    1. Abigail, thank you for sharing how you face changes and fear. You've reminded me that sometimes the key to change is not so much fearing changing what we have, but wanting something else. That can be a powerful motivator. And it helps me, too, to have encouragement along the way.

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  20. I hear what you are saying Tina. Fear is always associated with change. It seems to me that by just writing this post, you have taken a huge step toward your dream...Now it's just one step after the other and before you know it it's a reality...I really believe that as you start walking toward a goal each step you take it will be clearer to you that you are on the right track or not. It sounds like you have the skills to handle a new dream with your challenges...Many people with less challenges than you never attempt their dream.

    If this is what you want, I promise to encourage you with all my heart.

    I posted a couple of very similar posts on my other blog
    http://www.createdforajourney.blogspot.com recently. I'd love to hear your comments.....

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    1. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. You make such a good point. It's not an all-or-nothing decision now. It's the first in a series of steps. If it's not what I want after all, I don't have to go on.

      And thank you for sharing your link. I'll be visiting.

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