Overthinkers Anonymous

I think I should start a movement called “Overthinkers Anonymous”, and I would be the founding member and recipient of help.

LOL. Seriously though, one of my biggest faults is that I can take anything and literally think it to death.

I can create something that never even existed. (Maybe that is why I am a writer….)

I can perceive things to be vastly different than they actually are.

I can cause undue stress in my life and the lives of those around me because I have the ability to worry myself over something that either may never happen or I cannot change that did actually happen.

Overthinking comes in two forms; ruminating about the past and worrying about the future. It’s different than problem-solving. Problem-solving involves thinking about a solution. … Overthinking involves dwelling on how bad you feel and thinking about all the things you have no control over.

The last sentence of this… “Things you have no control over.”

I think that when I lose control, I feel vulnerable. I think growing up I had to be in control of everything because I had so little consistency or care that was the only way for me to survive. I did survive… but surviving is not living. It is just getting by.

Surviving is defined as, “to continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship”

While Thriving is defined as, “grow or develop well, to prosper”.

Do you see the vast difference?

Now that I am on the path to healing, I definitely want the latter!

I have begun a new process to help me with this.

It sounds very rudimentary but it is helping me tremendously.

If something is on my mind, or I can’t sleep, or events keep cycling, I get out a pad and pen.

I write whatever comes to mind, hold nothing back, even if it seems trivial or silly.

It’s like a release. And I have found that when I actually look at it outside of my head, I can get a clearer perspective.

I can let go of what I need to, and move forward. And by moving forward, I am growing into who I need to be. Doing it with confidence and not fear.

Sometimes, I may have to write everything out and then come back to read it later. Doing this helps me have a fresh view, not a tired and overwhelmed mind.

The things that I need to change become easier because I can solve the problem rather than just stewing over things.

Of course there is no blanket remedy for overthinking, we all process and deal with things differently.

But having a plan in place, helps me to retrain myself. I think we get stuck in patterns and we have to shake ourselves to find a new and healthier path.

What plan do you have in place to overcome undue worry and stress and overthinking?

Remember when we were kids how we did fire drills to help us in the event of a fire, it is because repetition creates patterns. And overthinkers need to get out of patterns. If you do not have a plan, make one. Change it as necessary.

Celebrate when you let something go. Live in the moment. Absorb it. Feel every part- even the sadness (especially the sadness)- when you have done that your view will change. Your perspective will become hopeful. #Reset!!