When I tell people that I have OCD, they automatically assume that it must make me a great business owner and mom – that I’m tidy, organized, and all pulled together every day. The “tidy persona“, though, is just one displayed by the media by those who don’t fully understand the disorder. Instead, OCD has actually been named by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 disabling disorders.

So, the question then becomes, how can I manage my OCD so that it doesn’t run my life? In order to be the type of mom and business owner that I want to be, I must continually ground myself in that question each day.

1. Awareness – 
   • Let’s be real – I can’t combat my OCD behaviors if I’m not aware that I’m doing them. When you’re busy growing a business, it is easy to start giving into compulsions as a way to relieve your anxiety. This becomes a tricky cycle to pull yourself out of though. The more you can be aware of your OCD triggers and behaviors, the better off you will be in managing them effectively.
2. Compassion –
   • One of my favorite OCD management skills is self-compassion. When I have a tough day as a mom and find myself falling into one of my familiar compulsions of reassurance, it’s easy to want to beat myself up about it afterward. Instead, I try to be intentional, pause, and remind myself, “I’m a good person having a hard time.” Being willing to be gentle with myself when things aren’t going as planned helps me wade through some of my more unfortunate days with OCD.
3. Find your people – 
   • If possible, having a grounded support system can lighten the load of OCD. It’s hard to feel as if you’re the only person struggling with incredibly scary intrusive thoughts and the need to perform compulsions. I connect monthly with a support group of people who are also recovering from OCD, and I also lean a lot on my family who are all educated in my disorder. My husband, in particular, loves to use humor to diffuse my biggest and scariest OCD thoughts. Having people that understand me and how my brain works really helps me to manage my disorder.
4. Recovered vs Recovering –
   • OCD is a lifelong disorder. While some would view this as disheartening, I instead view it as a goodreminder to always stand on guard in case my thoughts start to rampage. It’s easy to fall back into old patterns when you’re feeling bogged down. So, acknowledging that you’re recovering from OCD instead of being recovered entirely is paramount. It allows you to give yourself flexibility and self-compassion if your OCD starts to creep in again.

While OCD can masquerade itself as a benefit in business or motherhood, it has a very sneaky way of taking over when it’s unmanaged. I’ve learned that lesson countless times as I grew and sold my multimillion-dollar business. For the best help with overcoming and managing OCD, it is best to seek care and help from a medical provider trained explicitly in the disorder.

Contributing Writer, Sarah Michelle Boes, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC.

Sarah is the Founder of Sarah Michelle NP Reviews and currently serves as the Chief Nursing Officer at Blueprint Test Prep. With a robust educational background including a BSN from the University of Kentucky and an MSN in Nursing Education from Western Governors University, Sarah has extensive experience in oncology, intensive care, and nursing education. In 2020, she launched SMNP Reviews, an innovative platform that rapidly grew to a seven-figure business within seven months. Following SMNP Reviews’ acquisition by Blueprint in 2022, Sarah transitioned to a role where she continues to oversee the nursing vertical and integrate cutting-edge educational technologies.

Sarah’s entrepreneurial journey is deeply intertwined with her personal life. Her daughter Meadow, born with severe heart defects, has required extensive medical care, inspiring Sarah’s commitment to pediatric cardiac research and care. In recognition of Meadow’s journey, Sarah and her husband are making a $15 million legacy donation to Norton Children’s Hospital, where the new Congenital Heart Center will be named in their honor. This contribution underscores their dedication to improving healthcare for children with congenital heart conditions.

Beyond her business success, Sarah is a passionate advocate for mental health and female entrepreneurship. Her own experiences with anxiety and OCD have fueled her mission to help others manage mental health challenges, particularly within high-stakes environments like healthcare. She leverages her platform to support female entrepreneurs and promote awareness about the importance of mental well-being in professional settings.
With a significant social media following and notable media features, Sarah continues influencing the healthcare and entrepreneurial communities. She aims to further her impact through philanthropy, focusing on congenital heart disease and mental health advocacy while supporting ongoing advancements in pediatric healthcare.

Links:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-deal-nurse-practitioner-club/id1552285929

https://sarahmichelleboes.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sarahmichellenp/?hl=en