How to stop over-thinking

Over-thinking.

I’m struggling HEAPS with over-thinking this week, so I thought I’d transfer my over-thinking here and break it down. Let’s over-think over-thinking together.

Why over-think?

1. Fear of the unknown

Where overthinking is a means of trying to maintain a sense of control by thinking through all possible outcomes.

2. Fear of failure, or perfectionism

Stalling on taking action by running around and around in circles, chipping at an idea in order to refine it. We think: If I keep refining it, I’ll significantly reduce my chances of failure.

Anxiety is the predominant feeling attached to over-thinking.

The outcome of overthinking is usually a slowing down of events. You stall future circumstances by taking an extra long time to consider all possibilities.

Ways to overcome over-thinking:

1. Recognise that control is an illusion

We are NEVER in control. We just think that we should be, or that we can be if we work hard enough to handle all the various elements of our life.

2. Know that you can’t solve anything by attempting to think your way out of it

When you’re hitting a wall, thinking about it will only amplify the resistance you’re feeling. You’ve got to walk away from the wall.

If you’re overthinking, you’re in a resistant state of mind. You’re swimming upstream. You’re banging your head against a wall. Turn and head in the other direction. Practically, this means take a walk, meditate, listen to music … Whatever it takes to switch focus and get off the subject. By taking your attention off of the thing you’re over-thinking, you allow the dust to settle.

This post is a short one, because over-thinking really shouldn’t be overthought. Whilst useful to understand, the idea is that it should not be dealt with cognitively. So drop from your head back into your body, and feel your way away from your thoughts.