Wednesday 5 May 2010

OC3 – Obsessive comparing and competing.

OC3 – Obsessive comparing and competing.

I’ve just read an interesting article on line about OC3. It seems to be a made up disorder, but one I know I can apply to myself and I’m sure many others can too.

The author’s definition is this:

Obsessive-compulsive comparing and competing is a psychological condition that impacts negatively on a woman's self-esteem. OC3 is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a woman's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) need to compare herself to other adults – usually women – accompanied by feelings of compulsion to act in such a way as to try to neutralize the competition."

The author goes onto to say that it tends to occur in younger women and is something we grow out of.

I recently had my 40th birthday and I feel great. My outlook has changed. I’ve spent years comparing myself to other people and deciding that I am inferior because “I don’t have their fashion sense” or “I can’t style my own hair like that” or “they’re really good at their job”.

Well hey! I’ve taken the decision not to do that any more. When I start to think of myself in inferior terms, I stop and try and think of 3 great things about me or what I’ve done today.

Try it – it really works.

If you want to read the article its on www.selfesteem4women.com/_lib/eZine/articles/cc_0609.php

4 comments:

  1. I was directed here by Brett (365 to 42) and I've now skimmed through everything you've written. Yes, blogging is excellent! I changed my career direction when I met a dietitian about six years ago, and now I'm a year away from being one myself. I can recommend the journey, even though I don't yet know if the destination will suit me. But if you can find them, I suggest you talk to a practising life coach and a counsellor, and even shadow them for a day if they'll let you (and if it's professionally appropriate).

    Good luck!

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  2. Yep - Brett sent me too!

    I gave up comparing myself to others after my mental breakdown. I finally realized when I came out of the other side of it that I'm a much nicer person that I always thought I was and I don't care what others think about me. I'm honest right down to the core and that's that.

    I'm happy with who I am now. And what a relief that is!

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  3. I've tend to compare myself to my mental image of how I THINK I should be / act / feel. It's horrible, because I rarely live up to my own standards. However it is something I now recognise and am working hard to stop.

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  4. Its scary as women that we feel we have to compare ourselves to anything.

    Why should we?

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