Stop Avoiding And Start Moving, with Alexander Osterman

Send us Fan Mail Avoidance is sneaky. It doesn’t always show up as a big breakdown, it shows up as one more delay, one more scroll, one more “I’ll handle it tomorrow,” until you realise you’ve been drifting for months or years. We sit down with psychotherapist and writer  Alexander Osterman, founder of Osterman Psychotherapy and author of Quit Evading, to name what’s really happening under procrastination, emotional numbing, and that heavy sense of being stuck. We dig into the core drivers Alexander sees in therapy, especially with men: fear, overwhelm, and the self-criticism that follows when a task starts to feel like a mountain. That matters because calling it “laziness” makes the problem seem simple, but it also keeps you from addressing the real issue: the threat response in your mind and body. We talk practical mental health strategies for shifting from shame into problem solving, including how to recognise the “I’ll do it later” signal in daily life and turn it into a cue for action. Then we get extremely concrete. Alexander shares the first homework assignment he gives most clients: make your bed. Not as a motivational poster idea, but as a small, visible win that restores order, builds self-trust, and creates relief through action. If the step still feels too big, we walk through how to divide it in half, and then half again, until you can start. We also touch on OCD and compulsion overlap, why change is not linear, and how persistence over time becomes consistency. If you want tools for breaking avoidance, reducing anxiety, and building healthier habits one small act at a time, listen through to the end for Alexander’s free resources. Subscribe, share this with someone who’s been stuck lately, and leave a review with the small step you’re taking this week. Upcoming book: Quit Evading: A Therapist’s Field Manual for Men in Drift Connect with Alexander: Website: https://alexanderosterman.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexanderosterman Immunology Diagnostics 30% off of IMBXX. Code: Healthymind Get the test, insurance covers. Jumppoint Consulting Offer: 30% Subscription | Join COO and author Chelsea Byers for her weekly newsletter. Towards Wellness Coaching Offer: 25% off | Code: POD2026. Available internationally in paperback and eBook formats. The Rooted Co-op 50% off the Nervous System Work: Be the Change Course! | Code: POD50 Extraordinary People LLC All free so we can get to know each other! The Kloaked Signal Select for pre-order discount 10% | Code: podfans10 The Soulfluence Convergence Offer: 50% off | TRANSFORM50 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? 👉  DM me on PodMatch  💬 Want to come on the show? Be a Guest  🌐 Explore the full network  | 📨 Newsletter | 👥 LinkedIn Community This isn't self-help. It's self-honesty. 💼 Sponsor Our Show | 🎬 Check Our Services 📌 Disclaimer This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. Guest views are personal and do not represent the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify or endorse guest statements. Nothing here is medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional. Engage critically. Third-party content referenced under fair use. Guests are responsible for their own statements. Concerns? Contact us | Full disclaimer. By listening, you accept this disclaimer in full.