Todayyy we talk about bitterness and ways to let it go. We discuss my dubs and L's including finally marking things off a compiling to do list. We talk about why we get bitter and how we can help ourselves let it go if it overwhelms or affects us. We end the episode answering a Dear Abbey submission about telling family and friends about a diagnose…

Todayyy we have a very special guest...my husband!! Keaton is my husband and has had a very successful start to his 20's (yes I am biased), but we break down his mindset and how he takes care of his mental health. He is one of the strongest people I know mentally, so I pick his brain a bit! He shares his story of grinding at a young age due to his …

Todayyy we talk about my total dopamine playlist I've listened to at work lately to get through the day lol I talk about the top couple things our worth can unhelpfully tied to and reminders how that's not true. YOUR WORTH IS INHERENT AND NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY. I end the episode with answering a dear abbey submission about starting a podcast an…

Todayyy we talk about being on your own timeline and allowing yourself to feel less rushed in life. I open up a little about feeling lost even when I am mentally doing a lot better and "doing all the right things". I talk about how beautiful and unique everyone's timelines and stories are and then I share a quick story from my recent camping advent…

Todayyy we talk about my recent trip to a mining town for my older sisters 30th bday where we rode horses!! I talk about active listening and how hard it can be to listen when you're in a conflict with a partner or a loved one but how beneficial it can be to really listen. I also talk about the common topic of listening intently when meeting new pe…

Todayyy we talk about how amazing the human race is and our potential. I talk about the recent move I watched about navy seals and flying on a little plane (and being horrified, but doing it anyways). I talk about delaying OCD compulsions if stopping all together is too out of reach and then we answer a Dear Abbey question about possibly dating a g…

Todayyy we talked about my recent love for embroidery and crafts. Which led me to discuss creativity and how you don’t always need to be in your “creative” brain or mindset to work on your creative projects and/or businesses and to be successful. We also talk a bit about belonging and how we do belong here and we are allowed to take up space and go…

Todayyyy I share about this past weekend and our crazy sick weekend where I almost (not really) lost my eye. I talk about trying to understand a loved ones intentions while also holding space for your own feelings. I end with a dear abbey question about medications for your mental health and my experience! Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” …

Todayyyy I talk about some less commonly talked about ways OCD fears and thoughts can show up. For example, imagery, commands, mental sensations, etc. We also talk about some hidden compulsions and I share some good recourses to get started on your recovery if you cannot meet with a therapist!! Book referenced: Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Dis…

Todayy I talk about my obsessions that I had with religious OCD and scrupulosity as well as some things I did to help manage symptoms. I also talk about holding yourself with more grace because we are all learning!!! Lastly, I answer a listener submission about balancing 9-5 with all your other creative projects! Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear …

Todayy I share when my husband and I accidently broke into an Airbnb in Costa Rica and how the day went from bad to worse... I then talk about some of my favorite steps to forgive myself and others and last but not least I answer a Dear Abbey question about being self diagnosed with OCD. Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave …

Todayy I give a brief summary of my honeymoon. Then I jump right on in to remind everyone that you are not the only one who doesn't have it all figured out. You are more normal than you think... in a positive way lol. I then answer a listener submission about the top 3 tips to help with relationship anxiety and OCD. Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “De…

Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave a text with a question or asking for advice!! Love you guys!! IM BACK!!!! I missed my podcast! Todayyy we talked about my wedding and some of the smaller details I loved and what we decided to do! I also talk about some of the ways OCD tried to show it's ugly head while getting ready for …

This episode is a recording of my LIVE podcast that went up instead of a normal Thursday pre-recorded episode! I recap parts of my wedding and will finish the rest this next episode! Enjoy!! Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave a text with a question or asking for advice!! Love you guys!! Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear A…

Trigger warning: Topics of self harm 00:22:00 - 00:29:00 Todayyy we talk about my recent bachelorette weekend trip, my recent thoughts on holding myself accountable when I stop therapy, and all about taking up space after you have lived with shame for a long time! We also talk about a recent dear abbey submission and topics of self harm. If you or …

Todayyy we talk about false memory OCD and how that can build up resentment, anger, and distrust. How to flip the mental script when you only focus on the bad or wrong things people do. We can sometimes miss the sweetness of being an imperfect human!! We also have a dear abbey listener question about dealing with OCD and difficult people. Call 909-…

Todayyy we talk about cute things humans do, some weird (non-OCD) fears, and then for the "meat" of today's episode we talk about getting married after a divorce and all the feelings that go into it. I share my experience of jealousy, relationship anxiety, trust issues, and just some of the work it took to become more "securely" attached. AND THAT …

Todayyy we talk about my recent OCD theme switch and the obsessions with movies/music/TV AND all about how frustrating it can feel when OCD changes up on you. We also talk about why validation is so important for yourself and relationships and what that even means (according to me - a NON PROFESSIONAL). We then have a Dear Abbey listener submission…

Todayyy I talk about my recent trip to visit my family and my new years resolutions which are 1. trying to stop always looking to blame and 2. coming back to just being myself!! being yourself is your superpower!! I also answer a listener submission asking how to be more comfortable with yourself after dealing with mental illness for so long! Call …

Todayyy we talk about my Christmas surprise, my REAL engagement ring!! I explain recent feelings of overwhelm and how to set boundaries with people that are not mutually respectful, as well as the difficulty of dealing with people who disrespect things you hold close to your heart. I also dive into how I use my want to understand or intellectualize…

Todayyy we talk about some wedding updates and my past week in Vegas, etc I also talk about why we as humans tend to judge others and why we need to point that finger right back to ourselves. I list some reasons for this and talk about some possible things to help that I have done. We also answer a Dear Abbey question about when someone flirts with…

Todayyy we talk about some of my recent life updates and some dubs and L's such as facing some hard exposures and starting to fall in love with cooking. I dive in to the idea of letting yourself feel happy before your life is perfect or before you have everything "figured out". I speak on why life is more simple than we make it sometimes and we are…

Todayyy we talk about my favorite affordable gift ideas and some fun DIY gifts! I share some of my favorite influencers, brands, and accounts!! I also speak about the most recent trip to Colorado with my Fiancés family and how my ex "in laws" made it hard for me to open up again. Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave a text w…

Todayyy we celebrate 100 episodes of Dear Abbey!! I am so grateful for our little community and I talk about the evolution of this podcast! I talk about my favorite episodes and read some reviews and comments that mean a lot to me! THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING, LOVE YOU GUYS! Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave a text with a…

Todayyy we talk about when starting something new or starting over gets frustrating. When we feel our efforts are amounting to nothing it can get discouraging :( but believe in good things to come!! We also talk briefly about when you put people in a box and how that is doing an injustice to others and yourself. We answer a listener question about …

Todayyy is a short one due to being sick and almost no energy (or sanity). I talk about my engagement shoot and some other life updates! We talk about when you wish you were the person you used to be or when you want to go back in time. We answer a listener question about getting over a boy after a recent breakup! Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear…

Todayyy we talk about how OCD can latch to ANYTHING including politics. During an election period my OCD spikes so I speak on this weird obession and some other random obessions I have had that aren't too sticky but do pop up from time to time. I also speak on my recent breakthrough with my body image. I have not experienced the devastation of an e…

Todayyy we talk about when you have a lot of shame and guilt that stops you from acknowledging the positive traits you have. OCD especially can make you think you are just that, ONLY YOUR OCD and only scared etc., when you have so many positive traits!!! We also talk about my recent week with snorkeling, murder mysteries, and dubs and L’s. We answe…

Todayyy we talk about how to push through when you are feeling apathetic towards a better tomorrow and towards life in general. We talk about how devastating and sneaky OCD can be when it changes themes without you realizing it was OCD. We alsoo answer a listeners question about getting past the "small talk" phase of a friendship. Call 909-817-1742…

Todayyy I was feeling very freshly emo because I had an emotional rollercoaster of a day. I speak through these feelings in the moment and I speak on the feeling of loneliness when you grew up chronically misunderstood. There is a very sad pain that comes from being misunderstood and told "you shouldn't feel that way". I talk about being sensitive …

Todayyy we talk about how I found my wedding dress!!! I also speak about when you are struggling to feel safe in your own head and when you refuse to be alone in fear of facing those thoughts/feelings. I also speak on panic attacks and riding the sensation wave. We answer a dear abbey question about reflecting and moving on after a break up! Call 9…

Todayyy we talk about my depressive (Bipolar II) episode this past week and how I coped and the progress I made on managing it. I talk about loosening the grip on your identity being your mental health or illness. We then talk about saying you're sorry rather than being defensive when someone brings something up that they saw as hurtful. Sometimes …

Todayyyy we first talk about my dubs and L's for the week then we dive into the main subject RELATIONSHIP ANXIETY. I suffered with this and still do from time to time. I speak about a couple ways it showed up for me and what I learned about myself and how to reframe my mindset when it came to relationships. I talk about how irrational and exhaustin…

Todayy I talk about those times in your life where you are struggling with your sleep. Whether it's because of worry or OCD or anything else. I talk about when your OCD obsessions get really loud and scary in your sleep and dreams. I share some ways to help fall asleep and have less crazy OCD dreams. I also speak on how trying to get "perfect" slee…

Todayyyy I talk about the reality of having to surrender and go through things we are just intellectualizing. I talk about my recent career interest into doula work, and about having an abundance mindset with all aspects of life. I also answer a dear abbey question about how to handle explaining OCD to your partner and figuring out ways they can su…

TODAYYY we talk about how choosing positivity and belief helped with my anxiety and OCD and just my life!! I share a turning point in my life where I decided to throw away my cynicism and start to soften my heart again. I talk about how you never have to stay a cynic. AND we answer a listener question about toxic mother in law's Call 909-817-1742 t…

I GOT ENGAGED!!! Todayy I talk about my shocking and amazing birthday weekend and my proposal story! I give a life update since I’ve got a lot going on! I talk about wedding planning and my feelings on engagement. I also answer a listener voicemail about ways to help with anxiety!! Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave a text…

Todayyy I talk about getting stuck in the past in OCD recovery and just in everyday life!! We talk about mentally reviewing the past and double checking memories. I also talk about my recent accomplishment of changing my attitude despite feeling overwhelmed with emotion!! I also answer a listener question about not feeling valued as a friend.. Call…

Todayy I talk about my recent shocking experience while grocery shopping, and a short life update!! But then we talk all about rumination and why stopping this was so KEY to recovering from OCD and just enjoying life more. I talk about what it was for me and how I have been helping myself recover from this. We also talk about how to deal with trigg…

Todayy we dive into lots of life updates. One is about why I want to expand past just ERP therapy for my OCD. Another is about a shocking exchange with my boyfriend. We dive into getting to know yourself more and ways I have learned to do this that have helped me along with how to show yourself you are important. We also talk about Depersonalizatio…

Todayy we dive into all things relationship OCD and anxiety! I talk about why this theme was one of the hardest themes I had and how it effected my relationship with my boyfriend! I talk about my specific symptoms and the endless loops I would run through in my head! We also go into how I manage it today and how I got significantly better. We also …

Todayyyy I have on a very special guest...my little brother! He almost has the same brain as me, not only bc we have the same humor but he also has been diagnosed with OCD so we talk all about his experience with it! I ask him about his obsession’s and fears, his favorite therapy tools, his least favorite pieces of advice he’s gotten, when OCD popp…

Today we talk about ex's, beach accidents, emotional baggage in new relationships, and how to deal with the dread you get when working a job you don't like. Call 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave a text with a question or asking for advice!! Love you guys!!By Abbey Gustafson

Todayy on the podcast we talk about pushing your comfort zone (which for me is watching TV to fall asleep sometimes) lol and the freedom you feel from moving through the discomfort!! Why that has been so crucial for me with my OCD Journey. We also talk about being stubborn and not accepting help or admitting you're wrong! Then I answer a listener's…

Todayyyy we talk about how art can help in recovery and express and process emotions that don’t really make sense or emotions that do make sense and just need to be expressed!! I talk about why accepting and facing the realitites of life have really helped me feel more sure about how I live my life and how it can help you feel more satisfied with y…

Todayyyy we talk about burn out. I am a fan of the “grind” but sometimes burn out can make you hit a bump in the road and rethink how to approach the grind. I talk about the financial strain from my divorce and how that motivated me to make a better life for myself. but maybe took on too much? I answer a dear abbey listener submission about how to …

Todayyy we talk about the power of keeping things to yourself!! Not everything needs to be shared with someone (or everyone). Why its empowering to keep some wins to yourself to build confidence! I also answer a listeners voicemail about how to deal with a clean breakup where you both came to the conclusion this wasn't it. Call 909-817-1742 to leav…

I talk about some of the stigmas I see around mental illness. We discuss how amazing social media can be but also how harmful it can be to those who are really suffering. How tiktok creators classify “intrusive thoughts” vs what intrusive thoughts actually can be. We dive into how hurtful it can be when people don’t trust your experience and how in…

let’s get ready for summer!!! But not the normal kind of “getting ready”, but the mentally preparing yourself to enjoy this summer despite your physical “imperfections” kind of ready! we talk about the most common insecurities and how to support yourself this summer! I also talk about corporate jobs and the behind the scenes of a “girl boss”! Call …

Todayyy we first talk about adapting to new meds and insomnia lolll I'm feelin loopy. We go into how to ground yourself when you're stuck in your head and I pull out some old meditation tricks from my yoga teacher days!! Then I answer a listener question about supporting your partner when your life circumstance is not your partners ideal situation!…