A Poem about a common problem many of us face:
“I spend my days just running through conversations
Involving words I could say – or even dare to mention
Envisioning reactions that would make me feel proud
But in reality, these conversations never come out loud
My days are spent in a mad scramble of “what ifs” and “maybes.”
These hypotheticals fill up my head with silly jest
I take time to craft the perfect response just so
My future replies will all be oh-so-clever and oh-so-quickly go!
But then, thinking back on it, all this time, I squander away. No one ever speaks the words that I have planned to say!
The thought was nice but, in hindsight, a waste of my precious time
Overthinking can tire you out; better just to let it ride”.
Do the lines of the poem sound familiar? Can you identify yourself with the verses? Then sit back and relax! Let’s delve deeper into this phenomenon and learn to recognize and manage it.
Discover what overthinking is, who typically falls victim to it, and how you can protect yourself in this insightful article on cognitive biases.
Understanding the “Overthinking”
Overthinking is a phenomenon where we spend too much time analyzing, obsessing over, and worrying about potential outcomes of situations.
It’s the thought process of examining, re-examining, and “overthinking” even the most mundane details of our lives, leading to excessive “What ifs” and mental exhaustion. Overthinking can impede our enjoyment of life; even children may experience it.
Once, a child sitting beside me on the bus wanted to eat candy. He initially thought about saving it for later, then decided to eat it immediately but realized he could call sick after eating it without washing his hands.
He then decided to share it with someone and kept contemplating with whom. Eventually, once he got off the bus, he dropped it, and ultimately, the ants feasted on it! Unfortunately, his overthinking and all the potential consequences he imagined prevented him from enjoying the sweet.
So many times, the best thing to do is take some time to think things through while also allowing yourself to enjoy the moment without worrying too much about possible repercussions.
We all sometimes fall victim to overthinking, feeling helplessly trapped in a web of anxieties and inability. But with an active mindset and conscious effort toward self-care practices, we can take ownership of our thoughts once more – finding solace amidst the chaos to reclaim control over life itself!
Exploited And Exploiters
Overthinking can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. Still, it is typically more common in people prone to worrying and anxiety. It can also result from perfectionism, fear of failure, or an inability to let go and move on from the past.
People who often exploit others with overthinking use it as a means to manipulate others through guilt-tripping and emotional manipulation. They take advantage of their victims’ emotions by inducing guilt when they ask questions or express doubt. These individuals thrive on the energy of others and frequently employ overthinking as a tool for control and dominance in relationships or business environments.
Day-To-Day Overthinking
- Worrying about what to wear for an important event even though you know that ‘dressed up casual’ is usually the standard.
- After analyzing a text message from someone for hours, only to realize that it was written in jest and there was nothing to worry about.
- Indulging in a long list of what-if scenarios when considering an upcoming job offer, forgetting that the only certain thing is the present moment.
- Spending days re-reading an assignment or paper before submission, finding little flaws, and worrying they will influence the final grade – even though you already put in your best effort.
Recognizing When You Are Slipping Into The Overthinking Trap
One of the most common signs of overthinking is ruminating over the same thoughts or scenarios for long periods.
Find yourself endlessly analyzing a certain situation. This might indicate that you’re letting your mind run away with you.
Additionally, feelings of anxiety or panic when considering potential actions may suggest that you are overthinking a situation. It can also be helpful to pause and reflect; if a thought or action doesn’t seem essential right now, let it go.
Overcoming The Overthinking
Take a break
Allowing yourself moments of pause and breaks during the day can be extremely helpful in breaking free from the grasp of overthinking.
Exercise and Breathing Excercises
Physical activity and breathing exercises reduce stress, clear your mind, and put things into perspective.
Practice mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness activities such as yoga or meditation is a great way to refocus your energy and find clarity in moments of overthinking.
Identify triggers
Reflecting on external and internal triggers that lead to overthinking can help you gain insight into how to prevent it in the future.
Develop healthy distractions
Having healthy distractions such as reading, listening to music, or engaging in creative activities(hobbies) can be beneficial in breaking away from the chains of overthinking.
Get organized
Clearing clutter and setting up routines can help create structure in life, reducing stress, often resulting in overthinking being triggered less frequently.
Talk it out
Talking to someone who understands your struggle can be very helpful when working through difficult thoughts related to overthinking traps.
Final Thoughts
Contrary to popular belief, overthinking is not a marathon that you should strive to win. In fact, it’s more like this wheel that keeps spinning and spinning, taking you nowhere fast.
This cognitive bias overthinking can leave you feeling mentally exhausted, emotionally drained, and physically tired. It’s like running a race with no finish line in sight; here, you would keep pushing yourself harder and harder but would never seem to get any closer to the end.
The problem with overthinking bias is that your own insecurities and fears often fuel it. You become so fixated on your thoughts that you start to believe they’re true, even if they’re not. It’s like a pendulum clock going back and forth between our ears, never giving a break to yourself.
The endless cycle of overthinking is possible by challenging negative thoughts and finding inner peace. Positive self-talk can also prove to be helpful in reducing the intensity of overthinking.
Moreover, incorporating practices such as yoga and meditation into your routine can enable individuals to focus on the present moment, manage anxiety effectively and reduce negative emotions. With these peaceful solutions, one can break free from overthinking and find a sense of calm.
Finally
Overthinking may feel like a marathon, but it doesn’t actually burn physical calories. Instead, it depletes our mental energy. The most effective way to combat overthinking is to practice mindfulness and avoid becoming entangled in racing thoughts or catastrophic thinking.
We can achieve a sense of calm and clarity by focusing on deep breathing exercises. We hope this reading has been of help. If you would like to stay updated with similar posts, consider subscribing to our newsletter below!
Reference
The above article is based on the book Thinking Clearly; this article is here to help us learn and understand how our minds can be tricked by something called cognitive biases.