How to Treat OCD & Obsessive Thoughts: Step 3 - Developing Your Dreams

Overcoming OCD is a multifaceted journey, and at Restored Minds, we aim to provide practical steps to guide you towards victory. As part of our "OCD Victory" series, let's dive into step three: Developing Your Dreams. This unique step focuses on reigniting your passions and infusing excitement back into your life, making it a valuable addition to your OCD management strategy.

Dreams vs. Goals: Understanding the Difference

It's essential to differentiate between goals and dreams as you embark on this step:

• Goals

  : These are structured milestones influenced by societal expectations. They include achievements like graduating from school, securing a job, and planning for retirement.

• Dreams

  : Conversely, dreams are deeply personal, filled with passion and excitement. They evoke a unique sense of joy and fulfillment.

By developing your dreams, you replace the energy-draining cycles of OCD with vibrant, life-enhancing pursuits.

Why Developing Dreams Matters in OCD Recovery

OCD often leaves individuals feeling exhausted and devoid of passion. Constantly battling obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can rob you of life's joys. By channeling attention into dreams, you can:

1. Reintroduce Passion and Excitement

   : Dreams spark excitement and can reignite your drive.

2. Break the Routine

   : Engaging in new activities disrupts the repetitive cycle of OCD.

3. Replace OCD with Positive Activities

   : Filling your time with dreams helps push out OCD patterns and replaces them with positive, fulfilling endeavors.

Practical Steps to Develop Your Dreams

1. Pick Something to Learn

Choose an activity or skill that you've always wanted to master. The possibilities are endless:

• Learn a new language

• Take up archery

• Explore carpentry

For instance, during his recovery, Matt, our presenter, learned carpentry. He built a wooden blanket chest, which not only became a tangible achievement but also rekindled his excitement.

2. Choose an Activity to Do

Identify an adventure or activity that excites you. This could be:

• Traveling to a country you've always wanted to visit

• Hiking a famous trail

• Trying out a new sport

Matt shared his experience of riding a bicycle across the United States, which was an incredible journey that replaced his OCD worries with passion and excitement.

Tips for Achieving Your Dreams

To ensure success in developing and pursuing your dreams, consider these tips:

Set a Timeline

Create a short, achievable timeline for your dream:

• One to three months

• At most, six months

This timeline motivates action and keeps you focused on your goal.

Seek Guidance from Experts

Find someone who has achieved what you're aiming for:

• Get advice and tips

• Learn from their experiences

Talking to experts helped Matt with both carpentry and his cross-country bike ride, providing invaluable insights and accelerating his progress.

Conclusion

Developing your dreams is a powerful strategy in overcoming OCD and obsessive thoughts. By setting personal, passionate goals and pursuing them with vigor, you can fill your life with excitement and diminish the hold OCD has on your daily routine. To further assist you on this journey, visit www.restoredminds.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more tips and weekly Q&A sessions.