If you’re someone who feels a lot, thinks a lot, and sometimes gets swallowed by the swirl of it all — same. I’m a deep-feeler, HSP, mom of three… and I also live with OCD.

For years, I thought the only way through was to “think positive,” “fake it til I make it,” or try to control my feelings.

Spoiler alert: that just made me feel worse.

What actually helped? ACT — Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.
It’s not about forcing yourself to be positive. It’s about building psychological flexibility — the ability to handle big feelings and tough thoughts without abandoning your core values.

This week I put together a youtube video walking through the 6 core processes of ACT, explained with simple metaphors:

1. Values → your inner compass
2. Committed Action → planting seeds
3. Acceptance → feelings in the car (but never driving)
4. Defusion → unhooking from sticky thoughts
5. Self-as-Context → you are the sky, not the storm
6. Present Moment → grounding into the here and now

I wish I’d had this framework years ago — it’s helped me stop spiraling, calm the OCD storms, and show up with more confidence as both a mom and a human.

If you’ve ever felt like “fake it til you make it” wasn’t cutting it… this is for you.

1. The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
This is the ACT book I wish I’d had years ago — it makes the whole framework simple, practical, and actually doable in everyday life. No therapy jargon, just tools you can use right away.

2. The Illustrated Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
If you want the same life-changing ACT concepts but explained with visuals and cartoons, this is the one. It feels lighter, easier to digest, and honestly more fun to flip through when your brain is already overloaded.

3. Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life by Steven C. Hayes
Written by the founder of ACT, this one is more like a hands-on workbook. It’s full of exercises that walk you through acceptance, defusion, and values in a really structured way.

📣 Remember, there is no perfect someday.
Your ever after is yours and it is right now.

With all of the feelings,
Diana 💖

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