Overthinkers' Olympics: Part 1 of 3 - The Opening Ceremony

Another day, another thought, another whisper. Ah, the joys of having a brain that never stops—like my Pomeranian on a sugar rush. It doesn’t start as soon as I wake up in the morning because, let’s be real, it never stops. Sometimes it feels like my brain and I are two separate entities, like roommates who don’t even know each other's names. One’s binge-watching life's drama series, and the other just wants to binge-eat and nap.

Welcome, dear readers, to a special three-part series where we dive headfirst into the chaotic, amusing, and sometimes downright exhausting world of overthinking. Buckle up, because over the next few days, we'll be taking you on a whirlwind tour through the labyrinth of our minds, exploring why we overthink, where it all stems from, the impact it has on our lives and relationships, and—most importantly—what not to say to an overthinker (unless you're aiming for a meltdown).

Today's episode on "The Mental Olympics: Overthinkers' Edition" (perfect timing with the actual Olympics this year) is all about the experience of overthinking. So, grab your popcorn and a comfy seat. Let's start with a sneak peek into the mind of an overthinker. Spoiler alert: it’s not exactly a walk in the park.

Seriously, is it a multi-personality disorder, schizophrenia, or what? Too many thoughts all at once, no mercy. Sometimes it feels like my brain is auditioning for the lead role in a disaster movie, pulling me in different directions with no destination in sight. Oh joy, another day in the mental amusement park!

I've been overthinking about overthinking (and yes, the irony is not lost on me). Guilty as charged and trying to tone it down. Have I succeeded so far? Ha! As if. But here's the kicker: being with an overthinker is not exactly a stroll through Candyland either. Sure, it’s tough on us (yes, you, the fellow overthinker reading this, don’t pretend you’re invisible), but it's also a nightmare for our loved ones. Those poor souls have to navigate the funhouse of chaos that is our brains. Bless their hearts.

Welcome to the Overthinkers’ Club, where the brain treats every minor inconvenience like it's planning a lunar landing. Psychologists suggest that overthinking is often rooted in anxiety and a desire for control. When we notice everything—every little detail, every possible outcome—it can feel like we're gaining some semblance of control over the chaos of life. It's our brain's misguided attempt to prepare for any and all scenarios, even if those scenarios are as likely as my Pomeranian suddenly learning to cook dinner.

But where does this overthinking stem from? It often originates in our early experiences and environments. Many overthinkers grew up in settings where high standards and expectations were the norm. If you were constantly encouraged to achieve perfection, it’s no surprise that your brain now scrutinizes every little thing in an attempt to avoid mistakes. It’s like being haunted by the ghost of report cards past, always trying to get an A+ in life.

Traumatic experiences can also play a significant role. If you've been through difficult situations where things went wrong despite your best efforts, your brain might be on permanent high alert, trying to prevent history from repeating itself. It's a survival mechanism, albeit one that's a bit overzealous—like having a bodyguard who insists on wearing a full suit of armor to go grocery shopping. Essentially, your brain is trying to protect you by rehearsing every possible outcome, even the most absurd ones, just in case.

Moreover, societal pressures and the constant influx of information from social media don’t help either. We're bombarded with images of perfect lives and success stories, leading us to believe we need to overanalyze every aspect of our own lives to measure up. It's like living in a 24/7 reality show where the only judge is your inner critic, and spoiler alert, they're never satisfied.

This constant barrage of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios is deeply rooted in anxiety. Anxiety, at its core, is about fear—fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear of making mistakes. Our brains, in their infinite wisdom, think that by overanalyzing every possible outcome, we can somehow protect ourselves from failure or disappointment. It’s like having an internal alarm system that's set to maximum sensitivity, detecting threats where none exist.

And this desire for control? It's our brain's way of dealing with the inherent unpredictability of life. By dissecting every situation down to its tiniest components, we feel a sense of mastery over it. It’s as if our brain is saying, "If I can just think about this enough, I can control the outcome." Spoiler alert: we can’t. But try telling that to an overthinker.

Overthinkers often notice everything—every shift in tone, every change in body language, every slight alteration in routine. This heightened awareness can make us excellent problem solvers and empathetic friends, but it also means our brains are constantly on high alert, processing and reprocessing information. We analyze past conversations, plan future ones, and scrutinize present interactions all at once. It’s like having 20 browser tabs open in your mind, and none of them will load properly.

 

For those not familiar with Lao Tzu, he was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching and the founder of philosophical Taoism. His wisdom has transcended centuries, offering profound insights into life, change, and inner peace.

What Lao Tzu suggests here is the power of acceptance and the futility of clinging to the unchangeable. Overthinking often stems from a fear of the unknown and an attempt to control outcomes. By embracing the inevitability of change and letting go of this control, we can free ourselves from the mental shackles that overthinking imposes.

So, my fellow overthinkers, let's take a leaf out of Lao Tzu's book. Embrace the chaos, accept the uncertainty, and remember: if my Pomeranian can learn to chill out (occasionally), maybe there's hope for us too.

Remember, keep whispering your truth—because your inner voice deserves to be heard, even amidst the noise of overthinking.

Leila ❤️