Overthinking. It's something many of us do. It's a horrible habit, like biting your nails or waiting until the last minute to do your laundry (me). It's the art of creating problems that were never there in the first place. It's an issue -- and if you're a fellow over-thinker, like yours truly, then I've got a few things to say.
First, you're so not alone in this. Many times, overthinking and anxiety are linked. If you suffer from one or the other, or both, then yes -- it stinks. Yes, it consumes most of your thought process, but it's something that can be helped.
Odds are, if you overthink anything, you probably overthink friendships and relationships. Here's my take on that: if you have to go out of your way to please people and change who you are to fit in, these people are not meant to be your friends, and you need to rid them of your life ASAP. Friendships should not cause you stress or anxiety and are actually meant to add pleasure to your life. If someone isn't doing that, then cut them off. It sounds harsh, but it's true. Remember that it's better to have a few good quarters than a large clump of useless pennies.
Going along with that thought, your mind is a constant rewinding VHS tape of conversations and moments from today, yesterday, last week and last year. You replay all these moments in your life, and of course, you try to figure out if you said or did anything wrong in a past moment. Here's a super handy tip: don't do that. Yeah, I do it all the time too, but I'm working on not blaming myself for everything. If you say or do something and then sit there trying to figure out if it was offensive or wrong, you'll drive yourself insane. If a true friend has an issue with you, they'll say something. Don't go through life assuming you've done something wrong. It's simply not healthy.
Do more of what makes you happy, because if you're an over-thinker, then I know you don't do enough of that fun stuff. You put everyone before yourself and think of what others will say or do, because it consumes your mind. Instead of caring, just do you. Yes, that sounds difficult -- and it is. But if you ultimately want to be satisfied with your life and feel fulfilled, then you have to. Putting yourself first isn't selfish or rude. Once you are truly happy with who you are, you won't care what others think, and that will clear your mind.
Work on making yourself happy and reaching the point of ultimate contentment. Find the hobbies that make you smile, the people who help you feel like you and the best places to go when you're feeling overwhelmed. This tip is for you. I'm asking you to be more selfish. If you don't, you'll truly go insane.
