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You don't need to attribute the thoughts to yourself. Meaning accept you with those thoughts. As in the worst case scenario. Like, maybe I am this murderer. Maybe I am this bad person. Maybe. What? No. Acceptance means accepting that you have 70,000 thoughts a day. Some of them are pretty weird. It's fine. Emergency session is available. The link is in the description.
Episode: 🧠 OCD Thoughts Are NOT Who You Really Are
Date: February 27, 2026
Host: Ali Greymond, OCD Specialist & Author
In this episode of the OCD Recovery Podcast, Ali Greymond addresses a fundamental misconception for those struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder: the belief that intrusive or unwanted thoughts are an authentic reflection of one’s character. Ali reassures listeners that the presence of obsessive thoughts is a universal human experience, and that acceptance is rooted in acknowledging the random and sometimes bizarre nature of our thinking—not in fusing with or endorsing these thoughts.
This episode is part of Ali's ongoing effort to demystify intrusive thoughts across all OCD subtypes, empower listeners with practical approaches, and provide daily tools to aid in recovery.
"You don't need to attribute the thoughts to yourself. Meaning accept you with those thoughts. As in the worst case scenario. Like, maybe I am this murderer. Maybe I am this bad person. Maybe. What? No."
—Ali Greymond [00:00]
"Acceptance means accepting that you have 70,000 thoughts a day. Some of them are pretty weird. It's fine."
—Ali Greymond [00:17]
On separating self from intrusive thought:
"Maybe I am this murderer. Maybe I am this bad person. Maybe. What? No."
—Ali Greymond [00:06]
Memorable for its candid delivery and ability to reflect the absurdities that OCD often presents as serious.
On the volume of thoughts:
"Acceptance means accepting that you have 70,000 thoughts a day. Some of them are pretty weird. It's fine."
—Ali Greymond [00:17]
A reassuring perspective, normalizing the appearance of strange thoughts.
Ali maintains a calming, direct, and practical tone throughout, blending empathy with actionable advice. Her delivery is down-to-earth, using real-world examples and simple analogies to help listeners break the cycle of OCD rumination. The episode is concise but impactful, reiterating the core message of disidentification from obsessive thoughts.
This episode serves as both a reassurance and a practical guide: intrusive thoughts are not a reflection of who you are, acceptance means letting thoughts be without judgment, and everyone—OCD or not—experiences a stream of random ideas daily. By normalizing unwanted thoughts and separating them from identity, Ali equips listeners with a vital tool for OCD recovery.
