4 Things All Over-Thinkers Must Always Remember
By Caleb Stark
1. Nobody thinks about you as much as you think about you.
I need to remind myself: I don’t even remember half of the things people said to me 10 minutes ago. Nobody is going to be criticizing the things that you have said in the past, even if they were actually as horrible as you imagine them to have been. Time fixes or removes a lot of stuff, so don’t let any uneasy decisions you made in the past dictate your future.
2. Talking with someone is better than talking to yourself.
When it comes to over-thinking, replaying the same conversation or thought process over and over in your head is a standard. Take the time to say what you are thinking out loud to someone you care about. There is something very final about spitting out what has been bouncing around in your head all night long, and speaking requires consciousness, which allows for the foolish things to finally identify themselves as foolish.
3. The bleak music isn’t helping anyone.
Sorry, but listening to “My Number” by Tegan & Sara is only making matters worse.
4. Getting outside and doing things helps, even though sleeping is easier.
I realize that this is way easier said than done, but if you have the 1 second urge to get out of bed, take that opportunity. My friends invited me to see a movie tonight, and despite not really being interested in seeing it, I still jumped at the opportunity because I knew it would help keep me occupied lest something else takes over my mind. My personal trick is to tuck in my shirt after I shower for the day — it makes me feel like I am important and should be outside of my apartment.
Over-thinking is hard. It’s hard on relationships, it’s hard on making friends, and it’s hard on you. Oftentimes excessive rumination is connected with preexisting mental health issues, so if it’s getting to feel like too much — like it’s dragging your life down — then seek the most productive help available. Just remember: nobody is too concerned with you, you are still alive, and people love you. That’s what I try to do.