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Stuck In An Over-Thinking Rut?

By Kylie Coulter

I don’t know about you but I’m an over-thinker. I like to think. I like to ponder. I’m an intellectual, and intellectuals think the answer to every problem lies in how they think about that problem. As I’ve grown older, a double-edged sword, I’ve realized this is not true. But even so, old habits are hard to break and when there’s a problem in my life sometimes I can’t stop my brain ruminating.This is usually because:

A) There is no immediate solution,

Or

B) For some reason I’m too ‘close’ (feeling too strongly, can’t think outside the box) and thus can’t get the perspective I need.

Mostly, I can learn to let go of the things I don’t have any immediate control over, but boy when I need to figure something out and I can’t, I turn into a frazzled mess. The problem is that overthinkers like me, or maybe you, keep using the same technique over and over until the technique no longer works. There’s a saying that repeating a behavior expecting different results is a sign of stupidity. Well, perhaps not stupidity, but I do think it is an indication you need to step back from the problem.

But what if you’re so upset, so emotional, you simply can’t step back. You need an answer right now. You sit there thinking and thinking, certain that if you only thought about it in the right way everything would fall into place. What do you do then?

It’s very simple, and I think you’ll find it enjoyable.

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4 Comments to
“Stuck In An Over-Thinking Rut?”

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TopgunND 12:09 pm on December 5th, 2012

I find myself over thinking things to death. I am so afraid that there is a better solution that I don’t do anything.When I am forced to make the decision it usually turns out all right.Very frustrating.

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- Kylie Coulter 6:14 pm on December 5th, 2012
  
  Thanks for replying Topgun. Perhaps as an exercise you might, instead of looking for a perfect solution, use the best solution you can come up with. But as you’ve proven to yourself inactivity leads to an ‘all right’ solution once you’re forced. It might be empowering to proactively choose a solution and try to plan for your fears of ‘things not working out’. While this might be scary at first it can lead to more confidence in yourself and perhaps take away much of the worry over making a ‘wrong’ or ‘ineffective’ solution. Email me at kylie@lifechoices.net.au and I can link you to some resources of tactics to use if you decide to try this. Take Care –Kylie–
  
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Janet Singer 1:01 pm on December 5th, 2012

Interesting article with lots to think (but not too much ) about. I find exercising helpful when I need to let go of a problem, and often when I’m done swimming or whatever, I’m easily able to solve the problem that before seemed so unsurmountable.

Reply
- Kylie Coulter 6:09 pm on December 5th, 2012
  
  Swimming is very relaxing. Also when you swim you need to breathe a certain way, focus on the present (yours legs kicking, your timing of your strokes), and there are so many sensations your mind is forced to ‘feel’ instead of ‘worry’. It could be these combination of factors that are ‘distracting’ you from your problem and that distance, plus the wonderful endorphins obtained through exercise, is allowing your subconscious/unconscious? mind to process your thoughts.
  
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