Overthinking
Hi to everyone reading this. I have a little problem - I overthink a lot and it's making my life hell at some times.
I'm a very creative person in terms of stories, so basically, every situation I find myself in, I approach it as a story. I think about how it could go next, I picture several scenarios.
For example - I met a girl today. She was sweet and funny and I found myself imagining, how would our first kiss go, who would make the first move, or how would I introduce her to my friends or parents. I imagined a date with her, going to see a movie in the cinema... And some more.
It never stops. I do this with everything and everyone. I imagine a car accident when I'm waiting for a bus. I imagine meeting someone famous, talking to them and having a blast. I imagine going on a holiday with my parents, fighting over which place to choose next. What it would feel like to find out that I only have a few months to live.
All the time, I imagine how things would go from now on based on people, places or random thoughts. It might sound good, but it's terrible. Those thoughts are persistent and ever-lasting. They keep me from actually doing things, I just think about them. They distract me, when I'm trying to focus on studying.
Any ideas what to do about it? I would appreciate any help :) Thanks a lot!
@Masenka31 Hey Im new to this but I saw your post I could totally relate. Im also very creative with images, painting, etc, so Im constantly trying to find ways to mentally recreate. I went to a carnival last year and spoke to this guys on the train and I now have been imagining our first date, how he would respond to our first kiss. I became worried and self conscious.
I think its beautiful thing that our minds have the capacity to recreate events for our own pleasure and purpose to achieve or goals. But I think its harmful when we allow the process of imagining take over us to the point where we are troubled.
The imaginative process that we indulge in may be our way of revealing home truths or seeking for fortune; this maybe joy with a potential loved one to being able to have the confidence to achieve life goal. Either way I think we create or imagine things because truly want feel and be happy or our body and is in overload and that the only way to relieve its self is to imagine.
For me found that imagining was both an escape for me as well as an awakening to some truths about myself.
Take your time to look deep into why you are choosing escape. Pay attention to how you feel when these imaginations occur. It maybe your body
@Masenka31
Well, I come from similar space as urs. From childhood, I have caught up this habit and I am not able to find its roots. Maybe it's for my introvert, and insecured nature. Maybe certain psychological fears related to situations which doesnt let me take a step further and loops in mind only.
Overthinking is good, when it is under control. That is, you allow urself to go on overthinking and you know u will comeback after it.
What bothers and troubles us is uncontrolled overthinking. We don't know where we are rushing and why.
First thing I did/ am doing is to not to overwhelm and blame if i catch me overthinking.
2. To be able to change direction whenwever I see am wandering. To change direction of thoughts, I start asking questions to me. I tell it to remember some "nuetral" past event and its details. Here, nuetral means where there were less emotions.
3. To feel more is boon/ curse of overthinking. So this is an indicator. I use affirmations. like everything is going great, at pece and universe resonates with me. that instantly makes me aware.
4. The key is not to stop thinking, it is slowing down the process where thoughts aren't much needed. And so, we can speed up thoughts whenever necessary, too.
Thanks for reading.!