How Small Wins Can Help You Manage OCD and Anxiety in Real Life
Anxiety has a funny way of showing up when we least expect it, and sometimes, it manifests in the most ordinary moments. Recently, my sister Lindsay posted a video of herself drinking a beverage she had been anxiously avoiding. You might think, "How could a simple drink cause so much stress?" but when you’ve lived with anxiety, you know that even the smallest things can become bigger than life itself.
Here’s the story: Lindsay had been carrying a drink in her backpack, one she hadn’t touched for a while, but as she grabbed it to take a sip, she realized the backpack had been open the entire time. The drink, which had been sitting there exposed, made her immediately anxious. Her mind raced with questions: "What if something had gotten into it? What if it’s not safe to drink?" It might sound trivial to some, but to her, in that moment, it felt huge.
Instead of avoiding the situation or letting the anxiety spiral, Lindsay did something powerful. She took a deep breath and drank it anyway. Why? Because sometimes, the best way to challenge our anxiety is to face it head-on, even in small moments like this. It wasn’t about the drink—it was about showing herself that she could manage the anxiety that came with it.
What Lindsay didn’t know at the time was that this seemingly simple moment would resonate with so many people. The video quickly gained attention, with 43 people commenting on the post, sharing how they, too, have faced similar struggles. It was a small moment, but the connection it created was massive.
And it wasn’t just that one moment. In another video, Lindsay documented herself eating mushroom soup—a seemingly ordinary act, but one her OCD had turned into a mental minefield. Her brain told her the soup might make her hallucinate. She challenged that thought, took a spoonful, and posted the moment. One comment that came in said:
“I’ve never seen someone else who suffers with this specific fear besides me. I'm so proud of you. You were okay after?”
Our response?
“I wanted it again the next night haha.”
And then came the reply:
“Yay that makes me so happy!!”
It’s small exchanges like this that remind us why we share in the first place. Not to go viral—but to make someone feel a little less alone in a fear they thought only they had.
This experience reminded us that we are all stronger than we often give ourselves credit for. Anxiety can make us feel isolated, like we’re the only ones who have these irrational fears. But when we share our stories, we realize we’re not alone. We’re a community of people who thrive on seeing others challenge their fears—whether it's drinking a beverage from an open backpack or confronting larger, more overwhelming anxieties.
The beauty of moments like this is that they show us that growth doesn’t always have to come from big, dramatic acts. Sometimes, it's the little things—the moments we choose to confront our fears head-on—that truly make a difference in our mental health journey.
So, the next time you face something that triggers your anxiety, take a moment to breathe—and choose to move through it. Whether it’s taking that sip, walking into a room, or speaking up in a conversation, every time you face a fear, you’re reminding yourself: I can do hard things—even when it feels uncomfortable.
That’s why we created our bracelets—with gentle, wearable reminders like “Brave the uncomfortable” and “Embrace uncertainty.” Because sometimes, when anxiety takes over, it helps to have the right words right there on your wrist.
You’re not alone in your anxiety. We’re here, cheering each other on, one small step at a time.
👉 Take the quiz and find the phrase your anxiety needs to hear.
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