Breaking Free from OCD, Anxiety & Stress with Matt Codde

Holiday Anxiety: The Pressure to “Be Okay” (and Why It Makes You Feel Worse)Do you feel like you should be happy, grateful, and “all good” during the holidays… but inside you feel anxious, numb, low, or overwhelmed?In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW talks about the hidden pressure to be okay during the holidays — and how forcing yourself to feel a certain way actually intensifies anxiety, OCD loops, and emotional pain.Matt explains why comparing your inner world to everyone else’s highlight reel (or to how you “used to feel” in past holidays) keeps you stuck, and how learning to allow your current state—without self-judgment—can actually help your nervous system settle and heal.If this season feels heavier, lonelier, or more stressful than you expected, this conversation will give you permission to be where you are, while still moving toward freedom.🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode✅ Why the pressure to “be okay” during the holidays makes anxiety worse✅ How resisting your current emotional state prolongs suffering✅ The paradox of trying to force happiness, joy, or gratitude✅ Why it’s okay if this season feels harder than past years✅ How to allow your emotions without collapsing into isolation✅ A healthier way to move through the holidays with self-compassion and honesty🚀 Resources to Help You Heal📥 Free Assessment & Recovery ResourcesStart your journey to freedom from OCD, anxiety, and chronic stress.👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/start📖 From Stuck to Unstuck (Book)Practical tools to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book🌱 Programs & SupportFor step-by-step guidance on breaking the loop.👉 https://www.restoredminds.com🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support👉 YouTube: / restoredminds👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30💬 Ask a Question for a Future Episode👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessmentFollow Matt Codde, LCSW🔹 Instagram: @mattcodde_lcsw🔹 TikTok: @restoredminds🔹 Facebook: OCD Support Community📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us!⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – The pressure to “be okay” during the holidays01:30 – When joyful activities no longer feel joyful03:25 – The paradox: resisting emotions makes them stronger05:10 – “Will I ever feel normal again?”07:00 – Why it’s okay to feel how you feel09:30 – Releasing the pressure and returning to emotional honesty⚠️ DisclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or psychological advice. For personalized help, consult a licensed professional.

Do you ever feel like you’re always “the responsible one,” “the fixer,” “the overthinker,” or “the good one” — and you can’t turn it off?In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW unpacks the idea of personas — the masks we learn to wear to feel safe, accepted, and in control. Matt explains how these roles are often deeply tied to OCD, anxiety, and panic loops, and why living from a persona instead of your true essence leaves you exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from yourself.If you’ve been stuck in overthinking, people-pleasing, or perfectionism and wondering why you still don’t feel free, this episode will help you see what’s really running the show — and how letting go of outdated personas can be a powerful step in your healing journey.🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode✅ What a “persona” really is — and how it forms✅ How personas are linked to OCD, anxiety, and panic loops✅ Common personas Matt sees in OCD & anxiety (the overthinker, the fixer, the “good” one, the hyper-conscientious one)✅ Why living from a mask disconnects you from your true self✅ How deeper healing involves breaking the loop and releasing old roles and beliefs✅ Why returning to your essence is where real vitality, peace, and freedom live🚀 Resources to Help You Heal📥 FREE Assessment & GuidesStart your journey to freedom from OCD, anxiety, and chronic stress with step-by-step tools and support.👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/start📖 Get the Book – From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book🌱 Taking Back Control (TBC) ProgramFor deeper work on breaking the loop and releasing core patterns and personas.👉 https://www.restoredminds.com🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support👉 YouTube: / restoredminds👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30✅ Ask a Question for a Future Episode👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessmentFollow Matt Codde, LCSW:🔹 Instagram: @mattcodde_lcsw🔹 TikTok: @restoredminds🔹 Facebook: OCD Support Community📸 If this episode resonated, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us!⏱️ Suggested Timestamps00:00 – What Are Personas (and Why They Matter)?01:00 – Masks, Personality & Why They Never Truly Satisfy02:30 – The Mask Metaphor: Why External Praise Doesn’t Land04:00 – Common Personas in OCD & Anxiety (Overthinker, Fixer, “Good” One)06:30 – How Personas Disconnect You From Your Essence09:10 – Healing in Layers: Breaking the Loop & Releasing Personas11:30 – Returning to Essence: Living From Who You Really Are⚠️ DisclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or psychological advice. For personalized help, consult a licensed professional.

On this special Thanksgiving episode, Matt shares a heartfelt message of gratitude for you — the Restored Minds community.Whether you listen to the show, follow the weekly letters, read the book, or have been part of TBC, your presence makes this work possible.Wishing you rest, connection, and moments of genuine peace this Thanksgiving.🧡 Thank you for being part of Restored Minds.

When Rest Feels Wrong: Why You Can’t Relax & How to Feel Safe RestingDo you ever sit down to rest… and immediately feel tense, guilty, or like you “should” be doing something?In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW explores why rest can actually feel unsafe for people living in chronic anxiety, stress, or high-performance mode. Matt explains how busyness becomes a persona, how overworking turns into emotional avoidance, and why your nervous system doesn’t trust stillness — even when your life looks “successful” on the outside.If you feel restless when you slow down, or you only allow yourself to rest when you’ve “earned it,” this episode will help you understand what’s really going on underneath and how to start re-teaching your body that it’s safe to stop.🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode✅ Why resting can feel wrong, unsafe, or undeserved✅ How chronic busyness and overachievement become coping strategies✅ The link between stored emotions, anxiety, and the fear of slowing down✅ Why “real rest” is not distraction, numbing, or constant noise✅ How rest surfaces what’s been running in the background emotionally✅ Practical mindset shifts to start feeling safer with stillness and rest🚀 Resources to Help You Heal:📥 FREE Recovery GuideStart your journey to freedom from OCD and anxiety with expert tools and step-by-step guidance.👉 Download now: https://www.restoredminds.com/start📖 Get a Copy of Our Book: From Stuck to UnstuckLearn practical strategies to overcome fear and reclaim your life.👉 Buy now: https://a.co/d/1WEvonT🎧 Subscribe & Connect for More Support:✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes, tools, and coaching content.👉 https://www.youtube.com/restoredminds✅ Leave a Review on your favorite platform to help others discover this life-changing content:👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30✅ Ask a Question for a future episode:👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessments/2147654461✅ Download the Book – From Stuck to Unstuck👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/bookFollow Matt Codde, LCSW on Social Media:🔹 Instagram: @mattcodde_lcsw🔹 TikTok: @restoredminds🔹 Facebook: Matt Codde - Restored Minds📸 If this episode helped you, share it on Instagram Stories and tag us!⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – When Rest Starts to Feel Wrong01:20 – Fight-or-Flight and Why Rest Feels Unsafe02:40 – The “Busy Person” Persona and Emotional Avoidance05:30 – Overachieving, Self-Sabotage, and the Illusion of Relief08:50 – Why Stillness Brings Up Suppressed Emotions10:00 – Rest as a Requirement, Not a Reward11:40 – How to Begin Practicing Real Rest⚠️ DisclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or psychological advice. For personalized help, consult a licensed professional.

The Hidden Cost of High Performance: Why Overworking Keeps You Disconnected From YourselfAre you constantly pushing, striving, and performing — yet still feeling overwhelmed, drained, or on the edge of burnout? In this episode of The Restored Minds Show, licensed therapist Matt Codde, LCSW breaks down how “high performance” can secretly turn into emotional avoidance…and the real cost of living that way.You’ll learn why overworking becomes a socially praised escape, how emotional suppression impacts your health, and what steps you can take to reconnect with yourself before your body forces you to stop.If you’re a high-achieving professional, parent, creative, or leader who’s burning the candle at both ends, this episode is a grounded reminder: productivity can’t replace presence. And running from your emotions always catches up.🧭 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ How high performance becomes a form of emotional avoidance✅ The connection between overwork, burnout, and suppressed emotions✅ Why your body eventually “says no” when you ignore internal signals✅ Early warning signs your emotional tank is overflowing✅ How to shift from overworking → authentic alignment✅ What it really means to take care of yourself internally🚀 Resources to Support Your Healing:📥 FREE Recovery GuideBegin your journey to freedom from stress, fear, and overwhelm.👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/start📖 Get the Book — From Stuck to UnstuckLearn how to break the emotional patterns that keep you stuck in fear and pressure.👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/book🎧 Subscribe & Stay Connected👉 YouTube: / restoredminds👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3NJI2zD👉 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46AiT30📬 Ask a Question for a Future Episode👉 https://www.restoredminds.com/assessmentFollow Matt Codde, LCSW🔹 Instagram: @mattcodde_lcsw🔹 TikTok: @restoredminds🔹 Facebook: OCD Support Community📸 If this episode resonated, share it on Instagram Stories & tag us!⏱️ Suggested Timestamps:00:00 – When High Performance Becomes Avoidance01:30 – The Lie of “I Don’t Have Time for Emotions”03:45 – What Happens When Your Body Finally Says No05:10 – Burnout, Irritability, and the Emotional Cost of Overwork07:20 – Why External Validation Can’t Fix Your Internal State09:15 – The Signs Your Emotional Tank Is Full11:40 – How to Rebuild Alignment and Emotional BalanceDisclaimer:This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical or psychological advice. For personalized support, consult a licensed professional.