Hang On, Let Me Overthink This
I think, I think too much!
I worry about things I can’t control. I keep thinking about old conversations that I’ve had and think about what I could have said or done differently. I’m either thinking about things from the past or worrying about what’s to come in the future.
“What if?”, is always in my head.
Lately, even falling asleep is hard, because my thoughts won’t turn off. It feels like my thoughts go around and around in circles, constantly thinking about the same things, without ever finding an answer. Thinking about the same problems and worries over and over again can be a real pain in the ass!
“Dear mind, please stop thinking so much at night. I need sleep.”
Are you like me? Then c’mon…we are overthinkers! Let’s start accepting ourselves.
We’re gonna be okay!
Overthinking is natural. We all go through it at some point in time. If something is going on related to the things that matter to us, that will obviously make us overthink. But what isn’t natural is allowing that to become an integral part of our life.
Overthinking has two main forms:
Ruminating about the past and worrying about the future. Because overthinkers spend so much time in the past and the future, they rarely spend time in the only place where they can take useful action: the present.
“If my mind is busy thinking about things like how someone hurt or upset me and how I can protect myself or get back at them, I’m too busy in my head to enjoy the present moment.”
― Ankush Jain, Sweet Sharing: Rediscovering the REAL You
It seems easy to talk about LETTING GO OF THE PAST and LIVING IN THE PRESENT, but if you’re an overthinker, you’ll understand exactly how it goes. Don’t worry; We can regain our time, energy, and mental capacity by taking action.
I’ve been doing a lot of things to make sure my mind stays at peace and overthinking stays at a minimum. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t. I’m still learning, and I wanted to share what I’ve learned so far because I know a lot of us are suffering from this.
- Change your view of fear. It’s not possible to predict the future or change the past. Remember that just if things didn’t go right before doesn’t imply that it will happen every day. Take every opportunity as a new beginning and a place to start over. Just be aware, that’s it.
- Celebrate small wins. Communicate your small wins to someone who cares about it. It can be anything like finally being able to grow a plant or sticking to a workout plan. They can put a smile on your face and help you gain some confidence.
- Distract yourself. Stay engaged in some tasks to avoid overthinking. For me as long as I am working, I don’t have time to think about anything else. Also, it’s amusing how people around us can easily distract our minds from thinking too much. Just have a good talk.
- Move your body. Whether we stretch, walk around the block, or do a few burpees, physical movement helps calm the mind. It promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in our brain that energize our spirits and make us feel good.
- Designate some time for what makes you really happy. Carve out some time for yourself to focus on one activity such as cooking a new dish, going out with friends, watching a film or listening to music.
In reality, the more time and energy we spend thinking about something, the less time and energy we have to act on it. Those who have read my stories before would get to know that most of the things I was afraid of have never happened in my real life. So, don’t keep wondering whether it’ll work out or not, just do the damn thing. It’s productive to spend time coming up with new ideas or learning from our mistakes.
And finally, don’t forget to breathe! Sometimes, a few deep, slow breaths are all it takes to calm the body and mind.
