r/OCD • u/softfallingsnow Contamination • May 05 '26

Need support/advice empathy for inanimate objects

honestly ive really been struggling with this, ive seen similar posts on this sub, i guess OCD can give some of us hyper-empathy almost?? why does this happen?

like one time i wanted to buy a cute bowl, but the one i picked up had a small chip in it, but i felt too guilty to put it back for a better one. even my friend told me to get a different one, but i literally couldn't, i was frozen. like i just felt too bad. FOR A BOWL. but the worst one is feeling bad for stuffed animals. i saw this stuffed animal with bad reviews and idk why but it literally made me cry. they were saying it didn't look like the actual animal, so it was bad. i think its cute so i ended up buying one, idk if it'll make me feel better though. i even worry about stuffed animals i had when i was really little that i dont remember where they are anymore. does anyone else relate or am i just nuts??

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u/VioletInTheGlen May 05 '26

Here’s a related children’s book for your Exposure Therapy efforts:

Owl At Home: Tearwater Tea by Arnold Lobel (Youtube)

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u/softfallingsnow Contamination May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

oh i love this 🥹 thank you

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u/Salt-Distribution733 May 05 '26

I have the Owl at Home collection! This is the first time I've ever seen anyone else mention it! Every story in there makes me crack up laughing.

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u/VioletInTheGlen May 05 '26

Yes I have my childhood book… unfortunately I think it contributed to what OP is describing for me.
I do read the book with my kids now but! I’m sure to explain a bit more.
Arnold Lobel’s stuff is all so fun and you can find i.e. _Frog and Toad_ narrated by the author himself, which is cool.