Overthinking is exactly what it sounds like:
Thinking too much.
Thinking too often (really).
Thinking about the wrong things.
This (mis)thinking takes up too much space—space that belongs to other important parts of our lives. So much space, in fact, that what we’re thinking about starts to color everything else:
- If we worry about future events, we can become anxious.
- If we care too much about what others think of us, we can become insecure.
- If we dwell on the past, we can feel down.
- If we compare ourselves constantly to others, we can damage our self-image.
- If our thoughts revolve around illness, we may develop health anxiety.
Almost everyone overthinks from time to time. But if it’s draining your energy and keeping you from fully living your life—
Here are 7 thoughts to think instead of overthinking…
1. Really?
What’s the actual problem?
The issue you’re thinking about is rarely the real problem. 99% of it is your thoughts spinning in circles.
Only 1% is what’s actually happening and the real outcome.
Most of the time, the problem isn’t the problem.
It’s the way you’re thinking about the problem that is the problem.
2. Possibilities vs. impossibilities
Don’t think you deserve that job opportunity? Apply!
Don’t think your article is good enough? Publish it!
Think they won’t reply to your email? Send it!
Never let yourself overthink your way out of your real opportunities.
That’s how you reject yourself.
That’s how you rob yourself of life.
And how meaningless is that?
Take the “im” off your impossibilities and turn them into possibilities.
Try more. And do it fast—before you have time to overthink!
3. The key of stillness
The strange thing is that most of the problems we think we have won’t be solved with more thinking—but with less.
Just think about that!
I believe most people are capable of making the wisest choices in challenging situations—if they just give less space to thinking and more space in their calendar to be still with themselves.
Giving yourself time to clear your mind is like giving yourself the key of stillness—
a key that opens doors your thoughts believe are locked.
Because in stillness, we can sort through what actually matters in the situation.
And when the key factors are laid out clearly, the conclusion often presents itself.
If you still can’t solve the problem? Stop trying.
4. Yes or no?
When you start criticizing yourself for past mistakes or seeing danger around every corner, ask yourself:
Is there anything I can do NOW to change the past or positively influence the future?
If the answer is Yes: Do something.
If the answer is No: Let it go.
Take action—or let go.
Everything else is self-harm.
5. The moment of your life
You won’t overthink your way into a better future.
You can’t overthink your way into a better past either.
All you have is now. And now. And now. And now.
Moments.
Life is a series of moments, I believe.
And only what we do with our NOWs can make the best of our past and shape our future.
Make peace with yesterday.
Let go of tomorrow.
Take hold of now!
6. Check the facts
Overthinking creates scenarios in your mind that reflect the uncertainty, fear, and worry that are storming inside you.
So it’s important to always fact-check your own thoughts before you lean too heavily on them.
When a lot is at stake, in highly emotional moments, our minds can tell us stories that are simply not true.
They say we shouldn’t believe everything we hear…
Well, we shouldn’t believe everything we think either.
Always cross-check with the facts!
7. Open the door to peace
No amount of anxiety will change your future.
No amount of regret will change your past.
Neither anxiety nor regret brings peace—to your mind or your body.
Peace moves in alongside that beautiful word: «acceptance.»
Accept your imperfections.
Accept your uncertainty.
Accept the uncontrollable.
You don’t have to understand it, tolerate it, or forget it (your body stores it as memory anyway),
but if you want peace, you must accept what has happened—or the way things actually are.
That opens the door to peace.
And it allows you to better seize the opportunities in the moment.
Now. Now. And now…
DREIESKIVA|Roald Kvam 
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