Environmentally-themed obsessions

[DruryGirl]

Hi, there, community, I've got something that's been really bugging me for

years--my environmentally-themed obsessions. (Spike warning!)


My biggest one is a preoccupation with fuel economy. Growing up and in

college, I lived with my mother way out in the boondocks. I hated long

commutes and the OCD distress that came from it. I mean, this obsession

was/is severe to the point where sometimes I feel like I am going to vomit

because I'm not being "green." Sometimes I panic over it.


I have other environmentally-themed obsessions. I obsess over use of

water. I wouldn't want to own a laundromat because they use so much

water.


The whole thing is ridiculous when it comes down to it. I mean, come on,

should I stop going to grocery stores? They get their supplies from trucks

that use gas. I guess I just wanted to vent, to see if someone else has a

similar problem and maybe solutions/ideas.

 

[Everlasting33]

It sounds like you have this inner critic driving you to do something better or be more environmentally friendly.

"you HAVE to do this! This is the only way it should be! You must do this!"

What do you think?

 

[zingiber]

I used to have compulsions to pick up rubbish from the ground. I had a reputation for it at school - everyone thought I was brilliant. Of course, they didn't know that I was driven by OCD! I sort of had this vague idea that I had a duty to look after creation, and I had several Bible verses also driving me along. I have stopped since, although if I am near a rubbish bin I will still pick up some rubbish!

 

[gracealone]

Hi Drurygirl,
That's an interesting thing to have your OCD latch on to. It only shows that you care very much about the environment and that you want to be a good steward of it. Otherwise your OCD couldn't bug you about it. Don't let it shove you around though because the hyperscrupulosity of OCD knows no bounds no matter what theme it attaches itself to. So when the accuations pop up and the anxiety rises up in response to them... just let it blab on, ignore it, try very hard not to do it's bidding and distract yourself with another activity. Otherwise you could get stuck in a time consuming compulsive routine that robs you of so many other things that life holds for you.
Praying for you.
Mitzi

 

[DruryGirl]

Steeler, I absolutely think the "inner critic" is always at work.

Zingiber, it's cool that you still pick up the rubbish. As long as you're not just being obsessive-compulsive, although it doesn't sound like you are. Oddly enough, I have had past trash compulsions too.

Mitzi, good straightforward advice. I appreciate your prayers.

 

[Everlasting33]

Steeler, I absolutely think the "inner critic" is always at work.

Perhaps this inner critic has provided you something...perhaps discipline, direction, guidance, discernment?

I have a big problem with my inner critic and it was a way for me to stay in line. My inner critic pushed me toward success and it served me well.

However, now, i have found myself drained from the inner judge and only recently I have been committing my time to releasing the need to judge.

 

[shelovesChrist]

Just let it go.
You're going to be alright.
It might take some time but
don't those things rob you of
your joy. Life is a blessing
and small distractions try to
take from that but keep on
pushing through. Shrug it
off. Try. Step by step =]