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Imagining you're being observed
sputnik
Posts: 97 Budding Regular
I know this sounds very strange, but does anyone else ever feel like your favourite fictional characters (or real people, sometimes) are 'watching' you? Like they're just sort of floating invisibly nearby, observing everything you do? I get this a LOT, and I always feel really self-conscious as if they really are watching me, and this feeling of wanting to 'impress' them and be approved of by them, which dictates my behaviours etc for fear of embarrassing myself 'in front of' them. Even though I'm perfectly aware they don't really exist, it feels very real. Maybe it's like they represent different parts of my awareness, I don't know. I hate it, I wish I could just go about my day without this feeling hanging over me that my every move is being observed and critiqued.
I know you fought hard as hell
but let this sink in
you do not have to fight by yourself
~ lyrics from Willow by The Little Unsaid
but let this sink in
you do not have to fight by yourself
~ lyrics from Willow by The Little Unsaid
3
Comments
If these thoughts are causing you significant distress or impacting your daily life, it's essential to consider seeking help from a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support tailored to your specific situation. Remember that you're not alone in experiencing intrusive thoughts, and there are resources available to help you manage them.
Actually Sputnik I feel that all the time now just thinking of it. It's like the people you love are judging you and you have to be perfect for their standards and stuff. I totally get it .
Ah yes I make up stories in my head at night about characters, and sometimes during the day if I'm zoned-out, like on car journeys.
@Amy22 Ah that's interesting! Yes exactly, like you're in front of an audience all the time. I feel like I can't let my guard down.
@Terry8936 that's true it's definitely part of my OCD, now I think about it. It intersects a lot with feeling ashamed so the cycle is like [feel like characters are watching] -> [shame gets triggered] -> [change behaviour to alleviate shame] -> [repeat]. Am trying to keep an eye out more for it and not go along with the cycle as ever, it's flipping hard
but let this sink in
you do not have to fight by yourself
~ lyrics from Willow by The Little Unsaid
but let this sink in
you do not have to fight by yourself
~ lyrics from Willow by The Little Unsaid
Exactly, same here! I create a character that kind of 'represents' me in the other characters' universe, it's escapism from myself and the real world I guess.
but let this sink in
you do not have to fight by yourself
~ lyrics from Willow by The Little Unsaid