I was recently diagnosed with OCD back in March and have slowly started working through exposure therapy with really good results so far! One of my biggest obsessions was the fear of my hands feelings dirty and pretty much not being able to function if I felt like there was dirt or grime on my hands. This lead to a lot of avoidance of certain scenarios/textures/being outside and compulsive handwashing. For one of my exposures, my therapist recommended that I start gardening (something I mentioned to my therapist that I wanted to try) and using my hands to touch the soil. I planted some flowers in containers (zinnias, dahlias, and marigolds) and did so well with touching the soil and being outside for an extended period of time. It made me feel so proud to truly face something that has bothered me for YEARS and is slowly melting away some of my anxieties about being outside. Safe to say I’m hooked! Sharing a picture of my first zinnia sprouts just because I’m so proud!! These little guys popped up after 4 days of planting!
by isolemnlyswear4
11 Comments
It can be so satisfying! Good on you for pushing through!
Congratulations! I deal with ocd as well. I’d like to tell you that I’m so proud of you! I had been terrified of heights for most of my life and I went zip lining a few years ago and by the time I’d jumped 3 times, I just about felt cured. I went to the mountains for my birthday and I decided to test myself again and I felt no fear. Keep up the great work!! You can do it!! Your seedlings look awesome. Keep up the great work!
I love this post so much. How cool it is to grow through discomfort and discover something you enjoy along the way :’)
I feel ya. Glad you’re working though it
Awesome! What a great idea. I’m really happy that zinnia will be the reward, too.
Congratulations! Great work, the pollinators are going to be so happy with your work
I love the feel and smell of the soil. Huge congrats to you for stepping out of your comfort zone. Well done. And the Zinnias are a bonus.
Best feeling!!!
Ok lad, we’ll done on the germination.
Well done, gardening is extremely therapeutic for me, I think it’s just a calming activity and gives that connected feeling with nature.
Composting is a cool way to maybe take it a bit further when your comfortable, and it will be great for your garden, too!
This made me cry. I’m very happy for you. Save the seeds in fall when the flowers die and dry out so you can plant them and have a bunch of flowers every year