Skip to main content

Overthinker pt.2

Overthinking comes in two forms. First is ruminating about the past and second worrying about the future. Overthinking also involves dwelling on how bad you feel or felt during life experiences. Finally, the worst aspect for me is constantly thinking about all the things you have no control over.

These are simple statements that explain a complicated problem that I and many others have.

A few years back in August 2019, I wrote about being an over thinker. You can read that post here. For me, little has changed in that aspect. I still over think, worry and as pointed out in that post, if I don’t get an answer to a question I ask, I make up one. I need answers to ‘finish’ things in my mind. To solve the puzzle that my brain is dealing with at that moment.

I found online the list below that describes over thinkers. Everyone has done some are these once, but an over thinker repeats these questions/statements below over and over. For me personally #2, #4 and #9 are my closest companions.

Here are 10 signs that you’re an over thinker:

  1. I relive embarrassing moments in my head repeatedly.
  2. I have trouble sleeping because it feels like my brain won’t shut off.
  3. I ask myself a lot of “what if…” questions.
  4. I spend a lot of time thinking about the hidden meaning of things people say or events that happen.
  5. I rehash conversations I had with people in my mind and think about all the things I wished I had or hadn’t said.
  6. I constantly relive my mistakes.
  7. When someone says or acts in a way I don’t like, I keep replaying it in my mind.
  8. Sometimes I’m not aware of what’s going on around me because I’m dwelling on things that happened in the past or worrying about things that might happen in the future.
  9. I spend a lot of time worrying about things I have no control over.
  10. I can’t get my mind off my worries.

At my age, I know this is something I will never overcome. I can try to tame constant noise between my ears, but I know my brain will never be silenced. I will try to take action as often as I can, I will try to slow my thoughts down, I will try to not make assumptions, but ultimately sometimes the worst place I can be is inside my head.

Until next time,

Tim (Kilmer)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rocky Ridge/Breeden Ridge Trail

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography Today I met my buddy Mark at O’ Bannon Woods State Park for a hike.  In this Coronavirus terrifying world, I needed to get out. My week had not been going so well.  I got some surprises at work that changed how future projects will go for me and I was bombarded by daily messages of doom about the Corona Virus.  I was looking forward to the weekend because I had two hikes planned.  This is the only one that happened. After a two day headache (Friday and Saturday) I was able to get out and hike.  I met Mark at the campground in O’ Bannon Woods and we set off on the Rocky Ridge Trail.  This is the trail we had planned on hiking a few weekends ago but it ended quickly when the forecasted 30% of rain became 100% sleet. The trail this time was still muddy but as I could tell by the campground area we would be alone.  As my boots slushed through the mud I watched from behind as Mark often caught a tree root or rock with the toe of his boot, sending...

I almost died - Adventure Hiking Trail.

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography (https://www.instagram.com/timothybme/) This morning I was able to cross off a mini-bucket list item.  I have always wanted to hike on the Adventure Hiking Trail (AHT) and today I achieved that with my good friend Mark. We met in the parking lot by the guard shack at the entrance to the park.  We took a moment to greet each other and both of us tried to decide to wear a jacket or not.  Mark loves to drive and since he has a Jeep I was okay with him hauling us to our starting point.  I loaded my gear in his Jeep, climbed in and we headed off. As Mark turned onto Cold Friday Road I felt my excitement level begin to rise as I had been looking forward to this hike for a long time.  The road, though paved was very bumpy and curvy.  It was littered with debris.  Not man-made debris but the kind only Mother Nature could provide.  The Jeep crushed branches, it road over leaves and small rocks, and we seemed to feel every puddle and pothole as we descended the ...

Breeden Ridge Trail

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography This week I rode an emotional rollercoaster, and I felt like I had no safety belt to keep my securely locked in place.  The week began with yet another bill that seems for the last month we have been hemorrhaging money for state taxes, many home repairs, and car repairs.  My son’s truck had work being done and the price ended up $200+ more than expected.  After dropping my car off for a simple oil leak and picking his truck up I was soon informed that my simple oil leak also involved a radiator leak and a bill of $1700+.  I needed an outlet and the best place for that is the trails. Friday started well.  I met a friend for lunch.  This friend recently retired from my employer and though I didn’t know him that well I always enjoyed talking to him and felt we had some things in common with music.  I tend to gravitate toward older people (especially men), always welcoming their knowledge and experience of life.  This was no exception.  Our lunch meeting c...