Are you often accused of overthinking? Do people tell you that you ought to be more chill and less analytical? More easy-going and less demanding? More go-with-the flow and less insightful? More quiet and less noisy? More dull and less sharp?
That’s what I thought.
All I can say is, please, do not stop *over*thinking. Because the truth is, for you, it is simply thinking. It is not over. It is not excessive. It is not obsessive. You are a deep, analytical, philosophical, creative, sensitive, socially responsible human. So you THINK. A LOT. And I, for one, am grateful.
It is better than underthinking.
I realize, of course, your vast thinking capacity might morph into worry or more specifically, rumination. If that is the case, then, yes, finding ways to reduce your anxiety would be important. But that is not the same as your curiosity, your wonder, your drive to learn everything about everything.
Just so we’re clear.
For rumination, there are a number of tools and techniques. You are probably aware of some of them as *self-care* is now a thing. There are many relaxation and mindfulness apps. A client recently told me about Wild Journey. Another told me about Sleep Stories on the Calm app because sleeping is often tricky when you have an active rainforest mind. One client plays Animal Crossing at night to decompress. If you are an extreme ruminator, I recommend The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Bourne. Of course, there are the usual activities such as deep breathing, yoga, warm baths, and music. It can also help to look into food sensitivities, hormones, and allergies. (Acupuncture, anyone?) If there is trauma in your background, your worry is likely influenced by all sorts of potential triggers. In that case, therapy would be a good option, along with journal writing. There are more ideas in this post.
Because you are also socially responsible and aware, it is likely some of your worry is existential and related to real events here on planet earth. I am particularly concerned about the climate crisis and injustice. There are more and more organizations working on climate. I recently found this interview and the book Radical Regeneration: Sacred Activism and the Renewal of the World by Andrew Harvey and Carolyn Baker. On justice issues, there is Bryan Stevenson, Rachel Cargle, and others.
And, by the way, for you, self-care includes getting intellectual stimulation! Yes, indeed. In fact, if you keep your bright mind more engaged, you might also do less worrying. So, how about that? More thinking might lead to less ruminating! Have you heard of Masterclass? Nerd heaven. Am I right?
And so, my darlings, stay analytical, demanding, insightful, noisy, and sharp! Keep *over*thinking. It is way better than the alternative.
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To my bloggEEs: Tell us your stories about *over*thinking. And, thank you, as always, for being here, for your comments, and your love notes fan mail! Sending you much love and appreciation.
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