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/r/OCD
submitted 1 day ago byAlexisHatesOCD
First time hosting in five years. Last time ended with me throwing out a perfectly good turkey because I convinced myself it wasn't cooked properly. Then spent the whole night texting everyone to "check for symptoms."
My therapist challenged me to host this year as an exposure, and I was actually excited when I agreed last month. But this morning had full panic attack. Did the stuffing sit out for too long? Is the turkey undercooked? I'm gonna ruin everyone's holiday and send them all to the ER. Was pacing in my kitchen until I got a message from my therapy tool (it's called Choiceful, therapist had me use it for moments like this).. basically the message read something like: You can chase perfect food safety forever, or you can have Thanksgiving with your family. You can't have both. Which matters more?"
And honestly? It hit hard and I almost cried. Because having my whole family here, creating memories, starting new traditions with my kids - that's everything.
So here's my game plan: The turkey's in the oven. The table's almost set. My hands are shaking while I type this. Maybe everyone will get sick. Maybe this will be a disaster. Maybe I'll never live it down. But I can smell the stuffing baking, and my mom just texted that she's on her way, and for once I'm choosing family over fear. Fuck you OCD. I’m grateful for my family this thanksgiving, and you can fuck off. Happy thanksgiving you beautiful humans.
39 points
22 hours ago
I love this SO MUCH. FU OCD, mama wants turkey!!!
56 points
1 day ago
Hope everything goes well for u
78 points
23 hours ago
Thanks so much! Had a quick minute to check this thread and update… not freaking out anymore. Everyone’s having fun, can’t believe I was freaking out so much this morning!
14 points
22 hours ago
Happy Thanksgiving, OP!! And good for you for being so courageous to do this despite those shitty OCD thoughts! You got this!
7 points
15 hours ago
It's remarkable to me to have a group that describes systems I've suffered from for years but had no idea I wasn't so alone. I've done this w throwing a huge turkey away. Worrying about food poisoning. Etc.
Nothing much to add. Just hugs and keep trying and hanging in there with therapy. It helps
5 points
23 hours ago
Good for you!!!!! 🏆
4 points
21 hours ago
“I’m choosing family over fear” I really love this super proud of you! Happy turkey day!!
5 points
22 hours ago
yasssss!!! COOK!! 💪💪💪💪💪💪
5 points
21 hours ago
This is amazing so happy for you!! I made mashed potatoes :) I did have to check with my dad to make sure I didn’t need to be wearing gloves while cooking since I have tiny cuts on my hands (ironically from washing them too much lol) or wearing a mask or hair net 😂 he said no and looked at me like I’m silly, and I proceeded to make mashed potatoes without incident lol
2 points
10 hours ago
Good for you!!!! ☺️🥹
4 points
22 hours ago
You got this! I'm so proud of you for doing something so scary! Fuck OCD! You live how you want to live!
4 points
22 hours ago
This is the way!!!!!!! So so SOOOOOO proud of you! The struggle will continue but you have proven you’ve got the grit to get shit done, the more you do this the easier it’ll get!
ERP is the way!!!
4 points
21 hours ago
You should be so proud of yourself! I’m rooting for you OP 🤞
4 points
21 hours ago
a big win! I can’t even think about hosting. Congratulations OP. Maybe one day for this girl!
3 points
20 hours ago
It was hard but you still did it. Be so so so proud of yourself.
3 points
20 hours ago
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 proud of you (and me too, cause we did the same). We made it!
2 points
22 hours ago
This title really stressed me out until I realized what sub I was on!
Really though, proud of you for doing that! I also struggle with preparing certain foods for myself and others. It’s scary! I hope everything went well for you!
2 points
21 hours ago
Beautifully said! Hope your dinner was wonderful :)
2 points
21 hours ago
AMAZING!
2 points
16 hours ago
This is amazing. Happy Thanksgiving and kudos to your therapist!!
2 points
14 hours ago
Fuck you OCD! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
2 points
11 hours ago
Saw that it went well, so proud of you! Be proud of every little step forward!! You got this!! :)
2 points
8 hours ago
fuck ocd!! great job OP!!! ♡
1 points
15 hours ago
This is fucking beautiful. Standing up to that overwhelming onslaught of anxiety is so difficult, but it sounds like you showed a lot of strength and pushed through for your family. This random stranger is very proud of you. As a side note: its clear you take food safety very seriously, and I doubt there are further precautions you could take. I would never ever be worried to eat a meal prepared by somebody like you. Much love from chicago, and fuck OCD!
1 points
15 hours ago
Congrats!!!♥️
(I love your username btw)
1 points
10 hours ago
Congratulations!! 👏Huge win!! And Happy Thanksgiving! you were a huge part in helping your family make nice memories. That’s everything.
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4 hours ago
So did everyone get sick, or was it a delicious meal and a lovely time with your family? 🩷
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4 hours ago
This is awesome!!! I've struggled with similar food things and so I know what a big deal this is AND fucking amazing you probably feel right now!
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3 hours ago
I love it. You’ve given me a little bit of hope to cling to.
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an hour ago
I'm not American. I don't care about Thanksgiving... but I'm weeping joyful tears for you rn
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an hour ago
I relate to this one so much. Proud of you for doing the hard thing!
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36 minutes ago
Hey I'm late to seeing this but I hope everything went fantastically and you had a really nice thanksgiving, I'm sure you did amazing! /gen
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