Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Freeing your mind
• Part 2 of 3: Learning new habits
• Part 3 of 3: Turning an obsession into something positive
• Tips
• Warnings

An obsession is like having tunnel vision: you lose the ability to see everything other than the subject of the obsession. Obsession becomes part of your daily life, and it is related to fear; that makes it different from an addiction, whereby a person is never satisfied unless he can immerse himself in the subject of his addiction. Getting over an obsession isn't easy, but once you know how to stop feeding the obsession and spend your energies on new people and interests, liberation is at your fingertips. Go to Step 1 to learn how to take control of your obsession so that it no longer controls your thoughts and actions.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Freeing your mind

1. Distance yourself from the source of your obsession. If you are obsessed with something or someone, it becomes difficult to think about anything else if the topic is always close to you. The closer you are to your obsession, the more difficult it is to put it out of your mind. By physically distancing yourself from the obsession, you can also distance yourself mentally. It will be difficult at first, but you will soon find that little by little the curse of the obsession will be lifted.
   • Being obsessed with a person is a sign that the relationship is not healthy. Limit contact with this person. Spend time on things that are distracting you and try to find ways to get on with someone else or something better.
   • Maybe you are obsessed with a particular pastime, such as your favorite computer game. If so, keep the game out of sight by removing it from your computer, or give the game console to a friend until the obsession is over.
2. Stop feeding it. Feeding an obsession may feel good at first, so quitting that habit can be difficult. Just thinking about the source of your obsession reinforces the control it has over you. To break the obsession, you have to starve it. For example, if you're obsessed with a celebrity, stop talking about it with your friends. Stop looking at her Twitter messages or imagine what it would be like to go out with him / her. The more space you give the obsession in your head, the more space it will take up.
   • It won't be easy to stop feeding your obsession. Maybe you're going to kid yourself by saying you'll only check her Facebook page one more time before you quit. But if you want to get rid of the obsession, you will have to do it right away, just when you would most like to give in to it.
   • Sometimes an obsession is so strong that you can't get rid of it no matter how much you try to starve it. However you try, your thoughts will always come back to that one topic. If so, don't be too hard on yourself - you can beat your obsession, it'll just take a little more time.
3. Distract yourself from your obsessive thoughts. Countering your obsessive thoughts is easier said than done. If it feels so good to think and talk about your favorite topic, why would you want to stop? Remember why you want to get rid of the obsession: then you can look further and enjoy all the beautiful things that life has to offer. When the obsessive thoughts come back up, have some good distractions ready so you don't fall into the same trap again. Here are some great ways to distract yourself:
   • Do some physical exercises that also keep your brain busy. Running and walking may not be best, because then you can still think about your obsession. Try a team sport, climbing a climbing gym or something else that involves both body and mind.
   • Fiction is also a great distraction. Read a book or watch a movie that has nothing to do with your current obsession.
   • In the moment, if your mind wanders and you need immediate distraction, you can put on music, call a friend (to talk about everything other than your obsession to talk), read an interesting article, or go to work.
4. Focus on things you have been neglecting. If you are obsessed, you don't have much time for other things - such as work, relationships, and other interests or hobbies. Once you start devoting time to other things in your life, you will have less time to focus on your obsession.
   • Repairing relationships that you have been neglecting is a great way to get over an obsession with them. Your friends and family members will be happy to have you back, and they can give you interesting new ideas, problems, and dramas to keep you busy. It can be nice to finally think about something else!
   • Many people find that it can help to work a lot if you want to get over an obsession. Whatever work you do, you try to devote yourself to it.
5. Learn to to live in the now. Are you a dreamer? You can waste hours and hours thinking about someone or something that you are obsessed with. But if you sit in one place when your thoughts are always elsewhere, you miss what's going on in front of you. When you are ready to get rid of the obsession, you can learn to be mindful. That means that you are fully present, instead of thinking about the past or the future.
   • Use all your senses and really feel what is happening around you. What do you smell, see, hear and taste right now? Pay attention to what's going on in front of you, instead of thinking about different things all the time.
   • Really listen to people when they talk to you. Immerse yourself in the conversation, instead of nodding absently while your head is in the clouds.
   • It can help to repeat a mantra if you find yourself getting obsessive thoughts. Repeating something as simple as "Breathe" or "Stay in the Now" or "I Am Here" can bring your thoughts back to the present moment.
6. Use cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of therapy recognizes that there may be no way to stop thinking about the subject of the obsession, but it works by weakening the links between obsessive thoughts and everyday stimuli. This makes it easier for you to live your life and think about other things; you better deal with the obsession.
   • Cognitive behavioral therapy can also be used to teach a word or action that allows you to "break through" the obsessive thought so that you can focus on something else.

Part 2 of 3: Learning new habits

1. Strengthen your relationships with others. If you are obsessed with one person, it is best to start spending time with someone else. You can now direct all the energy that you have put into the object of obsession on getting to know someone else. Sign up for a course, have a chat when you walk the dog in the park or get to know your current friends even better. Getting to know others will help you realize that the world has a lot more to offer than that one obsession.
   • Don't compare the new people in your life to the person you're obsessed with. Instead of trying to mold them into the shape of that one person, try to enjoy the others' unique features.
   • Even if your obsession isn't a person, meeting new people can help a lot. They can provide you with perspectives and ideas that you have never encountered before.
2. Find new hobbies. "Trying new things" may sound like the standard solution to every problem, but that's because it can really help. Learning a new skill, or getting better in a particular area, can awaken your brain and shift perspective that will help you get out of the rut you're in. Show that your obsession isn't controlling your life by spending time on other things - it doesn't matter what, as long as it has nothing to do with the obsession.
   • For example, if you're obsessed with someone who hates museums and French films, and you ignored them for that reason, now is your chance to get into these things.
   • If you're obsessed with a particular topic, try studying something completely different.
3. Make adjustments to your daily routines. If your obsession is fueled in part by your habits, such as taking the same route to work every day just to get close to your ex, it's time for a change. Think carefully: which habits need to be broken because you remain hopelessly obsessed with them? You probably know the answer right away. Make an effort to change your routine - it can be difficult at first, but soon you will start to notice a difference in how strong your obsession is. Here are some changes you can make to your habits:
   • Take a different route to work or school.
   • Work out at a different gym, or choose a different day so you don't run into the person you're obsessed with.
   • Start the day by meditating, jogging, or walking the dog, instead of checking your email right away and scouring all the usual websites.
   • Go to other nightlife on the weekend.
   • Listen to different music while you work.
4. Change your life. If you're tired of an obsession controlling your thoughts and actions, take back control by making some personal changes. It can be dramatic, but sometimes you have to make a change to convince yourself that you can do it. Tackle something in your life that symbolizes your obsession and make it feel fresh and new again.
   • For you, a "makeover" can mean changing your appearance. If you've always had long hair because you think the person you're obsessed with likes it, why not cut it now? Take a short head that has nothing to do with him.
   • If you're browsing the same websites over and over, it might be time to give your room or office a makeover. Rearrange the furniture and buy some new things. Tidy up your desk and decorate it with new photos or other knick-knacks. Get rid of anything that reminds you of your obsession and surround yourself with things that can help you move forward.
5. Talk to a therapist. Sometimes an obsession is so deep that it is difficult to get rid of it on your own. If it doesn't seem like you can handle the obsession, and if it is interfering with your ability to be happy, make an appointment with a therapist. A professional counselor can provide you with tools to regain control of your thoughts so that you can move on with your life.
   • If you have certain recurring thoughts that just won't go away, or if you have to perform special actions on yourself over and over, you may have an anxiety disorder called obsessive neurosis. In that case, it is important to seek help so that you can get therapy and medicine to treat OCD.

Part 3 of 3: Turning an obsession into something positive

1. Make it something productive. Not all obsessions are bad; in fact, many people are trying to find their "passion" in life - the one thing that makes them want to learn more and work harder. If you have an obsession that fills you with purpose, most people will think you are lucky. For example, if you are busy with astronomy day and night, and you want nothing more than to read and learn about it, that obsession can turn into a successful career.
   • Even if the obsession doesn't lead to something as prestigious as a master's in astronomy, you may still be able to turn it into something productive. Maybe you're obsessed with the latest celebrity gossip, and you just read gossip magazines. Why not start a gossip blog or a Twitter account where you can share your discoveries?
   • You can also use the obsession as a motivation to develop yourself. If you're obsessed with someone who doesn't like you, you can decide to change bad habits that work against you. Let it be a reason to get up early so you can go for a run before you go to work, or do all your homework so you can say something smart in class.
2. Let your obsession be your creative muse. If your obsession is a person, you can use that energy to make something beautiful. The best literature, art and music in history is rooted in an obsession. If there's someone you need to keep thinking about, pour your unrequited feelings into a poem, song, or painting.
3. Spend time with people who share the obsession. An obsession can seem like a problem until you discover a group of people who like the exact same thing. Whatever your obsession, you probably aren't alone. Find other people who love what you love so you can share information and talk about it endlessly, whether you're a big fan of a particular football club, staying up all night to play your favorite game, or all the movies with a particular one. want to see an actress, chances are there are more people who feel that way too.
4. Don't let obsession limit your life. An obsession is only a problem if it uses up all your time and energy so that you can't do anything else. You are the only one who can determine if it is too much. If the topic of your obsession gives you a lot of pleasure, and you still have time for your friends and to meet your basic needs, you might be fine. But if you feel like your obsession is limiting you in any way, try to extinguish the flame and enjoy other things for a while.

Tips

• Try new things to take your mind off your obsession, such as meeting friends, reading books, or perhaps learning to play an instrument.
• Don't postpone it, tackle it now.
• Take it easy if you need to. You don't have to stop doing it in one fell swoop.
• Don't be afraid or embarrassed.
• Think of it as a challenge and beat your obsession!

Warnings

• Compulsive neurosis and addiction are serious problems for many people. If you cannot manage your obsessions on your own and / or if you harm yourself or others, seek professional help immediately.