Overthinking is a habit that too many people engage in. It is the excessive tendency to monitor, evaluate, analyze, and control all types of thought. This level of control can lead to more damage than good because it can consume the person. Are you guilty of this? Has over-analyzing, mulling, and thinking about every little thing become your hobby?
When somebody says something negative about you, do you allow it to consume you? Do you ask yourself: Why did this person say that? What if other people find this true about me?
Do you find other people’s words paralyzing? Words can hurt but they should not impair you. There will always be stress. There will always be negative comments.
Overthinking is a distressing and unhelpful cycle. It forces us to ruminate, to obsessively think about something, and the habit is hard to kill. A lot of our anxieties can be a product of the way we think.
Many people are unaware that they overthink. They focus on things beyond their control. Focusing on “if only” does not help or change the present situation. When it comes to life, often, choose to adopt the “it is what it is” mindset. Overthinking can only lead you to go around circles. It can also lead to unhealthy habits. Some people may resort to pursuing leisure activities without taking the time to face the issue. When we overthink, we fail to recognize that the answer lies right under our noses. Our head can be so tangled in our thoughts that we don’t know how to manage our emotions. This impairs healthy functioning as it can lead to difficulty in action, decision-making, or procrastination. We get so tired from running around inside our mind that we become too exhausted to function in real life. While it is healthy to take the time to think, doing so shouldn’t impair our ability to function or become life-giving.
It is good to be aware of our thoughts. Our thoughts are a product of what is happening in our lives. Don’t get into the unhealthy habit of dissecting thoughts by jumping to random conclusions though, especially if these are unrealistic. You may eventually find it difficult to control your thoughts which can unnecessarily complicate things. Try not to drown in everything and ask yourself: Where am I in this problem? Failure to think about the important aspects can lead us to get overwhelmed and become stuck in the problem.
Be careful with your thoughts because these impact your words. Your words have the power to affect your actions. Be careful with your actions because these can shape habits. Be careful with your habits as this can influence character. Be careful with your character as it becomes your destiny.
Learn to catch your thoughts and choose not to dwell on them too long or life may pass you by! Don’t wait for your body to be the one to tell you that you are overthinking. We have the capacity to check ourselves, to make active choices, and to choose where our energy goes. Not everything deserves a space in your head or your heart. – WITH PAU DE VERA
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