OCD: Living With the Thoughts That Won’t Let Go

IMPORTANT: You have to sign up at this link to register for the event.

Obsessive thoughts can be loud, convincing, and exhausting — especially when they latch onto the things you care about most. This session is a space to talk openly about what it’s like to live with OCD, intrusive thoughts, mental loops, and the urge to seek certainty or reassurance.
Rather than focusing on diagnoses or “fixing” symptoms, we’ll explore the emotional experience of OCD: the fear beneath the thoughts, the pressure to neutralize discomfort, and the ways compulsions — mental or physical — become attempts to feel safe.

Together, we’ll reflect on how OCD shows up in everyday life, relationships, decision-making, and self-trust. We’ll talk about the shame that often accompanies intrusive thoughts, the exhaustion of constantly monitoring your mind, and the difference between responsibility and fear.

This session is for you if:

• You struggle with intrusive or distressing thoughts that don’t reflect your values.
• You feel stuck in mental checking, reassurance-seeking, or “what if” loops.
• You crave certainty and feel deeply unsettled when you can’t find it.
• You’ve felt misunderstood or isolated in your experience of OCD.
• You want a space to feel less alone with your mind.

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to belong here. You don’t need to share details you’re not ready to share. This is a space for honesty, relief, and recognition, a place to name what’s happening inside without judgment, and to connect with others who understand what it’s like when your mind refuses to let things rest.

How Does it Work?
This is an open, guided discussion led by your Keeper, Jesse. Each participant will have the opportunity to listen to and share experiences on anxiety, well-being, emotions, and whatever else comes up during the session.

When and How Do We Meet?
We meet digitally every couple of weeks to make participation easy for those with demanding schedules. Cameras are optional, and you’re welcome to join from wherever you are, even between shifts. We only ask that you find a private place to join or use headphones to help maintain the security of everyone present.

Who Am I?
Hi, I’m Jesse, a communications and advocacy professional passionate about building a safer, more just world. Originally from Austin and now living in Italy, I believe life is measured by the quality of our connections, and I’m excited to use this space to help people build community through openness and shared stories.