Overthinking Overthinking

As COVID-19 has put the world through quarantine, everyone has had a lot of time to think. Maybe overthink? We all overthink. Or at least most of us do anyway. Wait . . . you overthink too, right? Is it just me? It can’t just be me, but then again, it could be, right? Maybe it is! I don’t know. But then again, what do I even actually know? 

That’s what overthinking can sound like: an endless stream of thoughts that marinate in your mind. 

Regardless, there’s been a reflection time lately; we’ve all had some more time to think. What’s important, though, is that we can recognize when we find ourselves overthinking instead of thinking critically. Why? Overthinking is unhealthy and unproductive, but critical thinking is . . . well, critical thinking is self care.  

Overthinking usually comes from a place of personal anxiety and fear. It can quickly get out of control, as you can reference above, spiraling beyond the initial concern. Seeking immediate gratification to an endless cycle is counterintuitive in itself. When overthinking, the brain races, forgoing any potential full stop or resting place.

Critical thinking, on the other hand, moves at a much slower pace. Pauses are taken and silence is welcome. Critical thinking invites new questions to the questions you first pose — it’s about “seeking to understand.” When we genuinely look for answers, what often arises are new, further-developed questions. Yet when we overthink we ruminate, searching for a hard “yes or no” answer.

Funny how that works. 

The next time you find yourself overthinking, take a deep breath and ask yourself: “What is making me overthink this issue right now?” I bet the answer will surprise you. And I bet you’ll only come up with more questions. Remember: it’s not about answering the questions, but rather understanding what’s making us ask ourselves these questions in the first place.