The Never- Ending Spiral of Overthinking
How many times were you busy doing something important and suddenly some random memory from the past haunted you?
Let’s say it’s an everyday occurrence, and the thing you were occupied with is put aside to finish your overthinking.
It could be a mistake you did a decade ago.
An argument that you lost to your nemesis six months ago and you’re still thinking of ways to win it.
Or even an event that will take place in two years.
Overthinking is like a relentless mental treadmill, where your thoughts keep running in circles without a clear destination.
It’s weird to write about this topic, to be honest, since I’m an overthinker myself.
It feels exactly like being trapped in a maze of our own making, where every decision and possibility is endlessly dissected and analysed.
Imagine a scenario where you have an important presentation at work. You spend hours contemplating every slide, revising each sentence, and rehearsing your delivery multiple times.
It’s over !!! Well done!!!
BUT
As you lie in bed at night, your mind continues to race, replaying the presentation over and over, and conjuring up countless "what if" scenarios.
This constant mental turbulence can turn into a heavy burden causing us anxiety and stress.
We find ourselves second-guessing our choices, agonising over the past, or worrying excessively about the future.
It’s like there’s this tiny hamster in our brains that keeps running in his little wheel and heading nowhere.
Overthinking often obscures the simplicity of the present moment.
For instance, when we're out with friends, instead of fully enjoying their company, we're preoccupied with analysing past conversations or fretting about how our actions might be perceived.
It's like wearing mental blinders that prevent us from appreciating the beauty and spontaneity of life as it unfolds.
Breaking free from this mental cycle is essential for peace of mind and mental well-being. Techniques like:
∆ Mindfulness and meditation can help us become more aware of when we're overthinking and bring our focus back to the present.
∆ Talking to a trusted friend or a therapist can provide an external perspective and offer guidance on managing overthinking tendencies.
I watched one of Shadé Zahrai’s nano tips about overthinking and she just gave this simple piece of advice:
"Use the Tomorrow Box, write down the troubling thought, put it in that box, and then decide to think about it tomorrow, most often it will lose its power"
It’s so simple yet so effective
So the real question is: can we stop overthinking?
Well not altogether, the goal is to strike a balance between thoughtful consideration and the ability to let go when necessary.
We need to start recognising that not every decision requires exhaustive analysis, that some thoughts are better left unexplored. Thus, we can regain control over our minds and find greater peace in the process.
