Seriousness is an occupational hazard for obsessive-compulsives, Type A’s and perfectionists. Being serious can hurt relationships, mental health and physical health. Yet many of us feel duty-bound to be serious and we lose out on the benefits of humor and laughter–which can melt the rigidity which comes with being serious.
Most people get happier as they reach their 50s, 60s and 70s. But people who are obsessive-compulsive and perfectionistic may miss out on the potential benefits. Their default strategy of control can block the those benefits, and leave us metaphorically pushing a rock up a hill, only to have it come crashing down again.
At the healthy end of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum we find meaningful urges that were lost when urgency to deal with anxiety and insecurity took over. Creating, producing, and fixing can fulfill our need for purpose if approached mindfully. But too often our urgency leads to an amnesia for meaning.
Imagine a couple going through fertility treatment. They’re expected to make love at certain times...
In my last post I argued that it’s important for us to know that we...
The sources of obsessive-compulsive personality are found in genes, family, culture and coping strategies. The...
Composer John Cage reputedly said, “I don’t like elevator music, but I’d be better off...
In my last post I harped about the importance of people with obsessive-compulsive personality consciously...
I recently posted about the benefits of self-compassion in lowering the depression that perfectionism causes....
Imagine two perfectionists. When Estella feels that she’s fallen short of her standards, she puts...
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