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)