Escaping Your Own Rules
Have you ever noticed that you hold yourself to certain rules sometimes without even realizing it? These “rules” might not be written down or openly acknowledged, but they quietly shape your decisions and routines.
Let’s say you’re worried about developing diabetes, so you decide to cut out sugar completely. You start reading every food label, sticking to the same safe meals, and avoiding anything that might contain even a trace of sugar. On the surface, this seems like a healthy choice. But is it? Maybe. Or maybe not.
When Rules Are Born From Fear
In this example, the rule wasn’t created from a medical necessity, it came from fear. Cutting out sugar became a way to feel safe and in control. And that makes sense. Rules can give us a sense of structure and protection. For instance, wearing a seatbelt is a rule that reduces risk and increases safety. But not all rules serve us equally well.
So how do you know when a personal rule is helping you and when it might be hurting you?
Ask Yourself These Questions:
Is this rule based on reality or fear?
Would others understand or question this rule if I explained it?
How do I feel when I think about breaking this rule? Anxious? Panicked? Guilty?
If the idea of not following the rule causes significant distress, it might be doing more harm than good. What may have started as a way to feel safe could now be reinforcing anxiety and keeping you stuck.
The Hidden Cost of Rigid Rules
Following rigid self-made rules can provide short-term relief from anxiety. But over time, they tend to reinforce the fear they were designed to soothe. That’s because avoidance, whether it's sugar, germs, or uncertainty, trains your brain to believe the threat is real, even when it’s not.
Confronting these rules takes courage. It also takes intention. You might feel more anxious at first when you start to break away from them, but that discomfort is temporary and it's the path to long-term relief.
When Rules Signal Something Deeper
Sometimes these rigid rules aren’t just quirky habits or personal preferences. They may be symptoms of a mental health condition like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD often shows up in subtle ways like creating and clinging to rules that seem “logical,” but are actually driven by fear and anxiety.
The good news? Help is available. Evidence-based therapy, like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), can help you break free from fear-based rules and reclaim your life.
Ready to Break Free?
If you’re tired of letting anxiety or rigid rules control your life, you don’t have to do it alone. At The OCD Relief Clinic, we specialize in short-term, effective treatment approaches that create long-lasting change.
We are conveniently located in South Ogden, making us easily accessible to Weber and Davis County. Reach out today to start identifying the rules that are holding you back and learn how to live with more freedom, flexibility, and peace.