Response options to an overthinking mind

Hello :)

How are you doing?

I hope you are giving yourself a pat on the back as you go.

Firstly, let’s look into something - what positive, good, calm, pleasant, light-carrying, loving things, people, situations can you see around you right now?

Great! How many did you count?

Awesome!

Now, how many can you count in your day up to the moment you’re reading this post?

Take your time:)

Overthinking and the inner self-critic can make you look at so much, but not the good and the pleasant. We don’t shame it for that. But we choose to look and see that which is good around us, what is going well, what we can be grateful for.

Or sometimes we choose to give peace to the mind by entering the body, slowing down tasks, and choosing fewer distractions.

In this post, I wanted to look at ways how we can respond to overthinking and to self-criticism, and how different it can be.

I have experienced plenty of overthinking and self-hatred to know that responding with hate drives you deeper into the hole. It is not helpful at all. Can drive you insane to look at how disgusting and how unpleasant that part is.

Responding with blame or shame, or “why are you doing this to me??“ or “can you just shut up?“ or “omg I am miserable“ is an understandable reaction, but also the least effective. Then you start shaming yourself and go into a spiral, and the outcome - I am not good enough.

One step into a different direction. It’s not the fast track, but it is faster than the previously mentioned. “I see the overthinking, my dear mind. How about I say some loving words?“ or “My dear mind, you are looking a bit busy today, maybe we can take it a bit slower with the overthinking? What do yo think?“ and enter doing things with more presence in the now and the body. Or “I love you:)“ just as a reminder. “My dear mind, I see you are looking a bit busy with the overthinking, how about I help you, and I move the body?“ and do an exercise, “I see you are creating scenarios, dear overthinking, and I understand. Would you join me in looking at the facts that we can find?“. Or any thought you can give that is opposite of judgment and shame. Inviting curiosity. Without pressure and with an invitation to a different view.

You are not controlled by the thoughts that come into your mind.

These loving thoughts and inviting questions or new thoughts can create a different effect than what we have known. And at times, yes, it can be beneficial to release the anger, speed, and fast-paced energy through healthy ways. But these thoughts of invitation and curiosity are new ways that will faster lead you out of feeling incapable.

Remember, even overthinking is happening in the mind. You are here, in the moment, in the space, and actually can see things from a kinder view. Sometimes the thoughts try to take over, not because the mind is bad, but it may need help to know it doesn't need to control everything. And the body, you are here now.

Changing the patterns one day at a time.

Thank you for joining me in this post, and give yourself a loving thought. What could you say?

Thank you.

See you next time,

Ella Renāte