Some people paint. Some knit.
Me? I lie awake sometimes in the middle of the night analyzing the session I had that day.
Overthinking wasn’t on my resume, but apparently I’m highly qualified.
It pops in when it is least expected. You’re just living your life pouring tea, finishing session notes and suddenly your brain goes,
“Was the message just apt for the what’s app group I sent two days back? How many of them have read it? Nobody has acknowledged it yet, I surely have goofed up!”
I am sure a lot of you might be thinking, can she too experience this? Or may be because she is a psychologist, she would be better coping up with this situation?”
No! I am just like you 😀
While overthinking is like running a marathon on a tread mill, in reality it is when we get stuck in a loop of excessive analysis, worry, or rumination. It is usually about things we can’t control or change which is followed by anxiety, fear of making mistakes, or a deep need for certainty.
It’s not a personality flaw, it’s a brain in protection mode that doesn’t know when to switch off.
Sounds challenging right??
Well not as much… simple steps:
Start with a round of box breathing.
Reset your system.
Notice when you’re spiralling down. Pause and ask:
“What’s the one thought bothering me most right now?”
Ask yourself:
“What does this thought want from me? Can I do something about it?”
If yes: Do it or plan it.
If no: Decide when (if ever) to deal with it.
Get back to what you were doing & anchor yourself in the present.
If a thought keeps popping up, give it a time slot later. Overthink then, not now.
Overthinking is common, relatable, and frankly, kind of exhausting. But you can learn to quiet the mental noise. With a little practice, you can replace spirals for stillness. And most importantly remember that not every thought deserves your full attention.
Now, if you overthink posting a comment on this article, just know, I already assumed you loved it. No pressure 😀
