“Overthinking is no joke. It slowly kills the person from within.” Let’s talk about what is the best way to stop overthinking and how to live in the present. May this reading benefit you guys 🙂
Thinking is a very crucial thing and a necessity in our daily life. Every day, whether you realize it or not, you actually do a lot of thinking. No matter what activities we are doing, we have to use our minds to think. It is obvious if we are working or studying. But we also think when we are playing games, talking with other people, and even when we are deciding what color of shirt we’re going to wear today.
In fact, thinking is one of the keys to being successful in life. And without it, surely we cannot achieve anything. Clearly, we won’t be able to be anything.
Nevertheless, thinking can also become something dangerous and put you at risk. Instead of being the stepping stones to your goals, thinking can also be a major obstacle in life.
This is when you are thinking too much about something. It’s now in the phase of overthinking, which is really bad for your mind and health. Yeah, overthinking. Ring a bell?
You must be wondering, what is overthinking? Is that a disease? What are the overthinking symptoms? How should I stop overthinking? And what is the best way to stop overthinking?
Overthinking is when you keep thinking about the same thing repeatedly which causes you anxiety.
Undeniably, each and every person must have experienced it at some point in our lives and it is a common thing that happens in our lives. But if too excessive, it can also be considered a mental disease.
When you overthink, your mind actually keeps thinking something unnecessary and keeps playing it repeatedly until you become stressed and frustrated.
Usually, the things that play in mind are in the form of a what if’s questions; what if I fail in school or university? or maybe fail in my business? What if I become bankrupt and lose everything? Will I lose my family too? What if I didn’t have enough confidence? Did I become happier now? What if I embarrass myself if I do that? And many more.
These kinds of thoughts are destructive thoughts because they will prevent you from getting anything done. In addition, it will force you to always think about something uncertain in the future and not live in the present. Whenever you want to start something, surely it will stop you with the imagination of the most disastrous outcome that your mind can imagine and weaken your spirit to go for it.
And you might want to know what is the best way to stop overthinking and relax, right? Let’s explore ways how to stop overthinking and live in the present:
1. Learn how to differentiate think and overthink
Firstly, you must be able to recognize and differentiate between think and overthink. You might think that you are “thinking,” but actually, what you do is “overthinking.”
These two things might look the same. But when you repeat them over and over again and worry about unnecessary things, that is actually overthinking. Once you recognize it, start by taking a deep breath or taking some time off to rationalize back your mind to handle the situation better.
Thinking is great, overthinking is not. The best way to stop overthinking is to differentiate between these two. Once you learn how to understand how both work, you’ll see that overthinking is only creating problems that aren’t there. Stop overthinking and live in the present.
“Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.”
– Napoleon Bonaparte
“We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
– Albert Einstein
2. Change your mindset; Be Positive!
How to Change Your Mindset, Behaviour & Positive Thinking
Secondly, be positive. Overthinking usually starts by thinking about what if something goes wrong or what if it’s become a failure. The fear of failure when you are not even started yet is unnecessary for you to do. And also, it can attract all negative thoughts into your mind.
This means your actions also become negative, which will make you easily become stressed and depressed.
Thus, the best way to stop overthinking is to stop thinking about all the things that can go wrong. Be positive and imagine what will happen if you succeed, what the reward that you will get when you get there. Positive thoughts can change your whole day and a positive mindset can change your whole life.
Get out of your head and breathe. All your thoughts are not facts. Tune in to what’s happening right now. Pay attention to your senses. Stop overthinking and live in the present.
“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”
– Roy T. Bennett
“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”
– Roy T. Bennett
3. Stop searching for perfection. Nobody is perfect
You may be a detailed person, but you can never be perfect. No matter how hard you try, at the end of the day, we’re just human. And being imperfect is just perfect for us. Thus, stop searching for perfection. I’m really sure you won’t find it. What you can do is do your very best and be dedicated no matter what you do. Then just let it be.
Trust me; many people have given up their dreams because what they seek is something perfect. A perfect time to start, a perfect condition to perform, or perfect equipment to work with. And when they didn’t find perfection, this is when overthinking creeps in. So the best way to stop overthinking is to stop looking for perfection. Cause we won’t.
You can do your best, but you can never do something perfectly, so just be grateful for whatever you have. Stop overthinking and just do the best you can.
“It is better to start small than not to start at all because you are waiting to be perfect with your skills. The truth is that you can never achieve perfection in life. Even the greatest man on earth is still incapable of doing so. The ultimate goal is to start now and grow as you go.”
– Edmond Mbiaka
4. Be grateful for whatever you have
There is Always Something to be Grateful for Hanging Wall Art
Many people start overthinking by thinking of something they don’t have. What if I have that information? Or if my body was like him, I’m really sure that I will be more confident. What if my family is rich? For sure, my dream can become true, or my business will be successful.
These kinds of thoughts are actually the symptoms of overthinking. Instead of bringing you closer to your goal, it can become one of the reasons you have anxiety and push you down.
Thus, stop overthinking and live in the present. Be grateful for who you are and what you have. Fill your mind with positivity. Ignore those negative and unworthy thoughts from overthinking. I’m pretty sure you can work toward your dream with more productivity and efficiency.
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
– Charles Dickens
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
– Epictetus
So basically what is the best way to stop overthinking? It all comes from our minds. Be positive and stop looking for perfection in life. A negative mind will never give you a positive life. Stop overthinking, just do the best you can and live in the present. Indeed, no amount of anxiety can change the future. No amount of regret can change the past.
