Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Overthinkers' Olympics! Please, find your seats, and let's get ready for another thrilling event in the stadium of our minds. Just like in the real Olympics, where athletes endure rigorous training regimens, we, the overthinkers, have our own special kind of mental workouts.

Remember the two roommates we mentioned last time? The ones who don’t even know each other's names? Well, it’s time to officially introduce them: meet Anxious Annie and Control Carl. These two have been training hard, perfecting their routines, and now they're ready to take center stage. But that’s not all—we’ll also introduce Fearsome Fred, the lurking antagonist in our mental Olympics, always ready to remind us of all the uncertainties.

  • Anxious Annie is always on high alert, ready to jump at the slightest hint of potential danger. She’s the one who keeps me up at night, replaying every conversation and worrying about future scenarios.
  • Control Freak Carl meticulously plans every step, trying to prevent any missteps. He’s the drill sergeant in my mind, making sure that every detail is scrutinized to avoid mistakes.
  • Now, meet Fearsome Fred, the master of disaster, who amplifies every what-if scenario to epic proportions. Fred is the one who turns a minor inconvenience into a full-blown catastrophe in my mind. With Fred on the team, the overthinking never stops, and the mental gymnastics continue round the clock. Fred's presence ensures that every potential problem is blown out of proportion, making it feel like a looming disaster.
So what does my daily training look like?

Morning Warm-Up: Replay Mode
Picture this: I wake up and immediately dive into a mental film review session, replaying past conversations and events. Every detail is analyzed from every angle, just like a meticulous coach scrutinizing game footage. Anxious Annie is at the helm here, ensuring that every minor misstep is replayed and dissected. Control Freak Carl joins in, demanding that every detail be perfect to avoid future errors. Fearsome Fred, lurking in the background, amplifies these minor slip-ups into potential catastrophes, making it feel like my brain’s personal morning boot camp.

Midday Practice: Future Frenzy
As the day progresses, I move into the endurance run of overthinking. Imagine running through endless "what-if" scenarios. Control Freak Carl is planning every step, trying to prevent any possible mistake, while Anxious Annie worries about every potential danger. Fearsome Fred is right there, blowing up each scenario to epic proportions, making sure that every possible outcome is thoroughly considered and every decision feels like a high-stakes gamble.

Afternoon Session: Decision Paralysis Drills
By afternoon, it’s time for the mental equivalent of lifting weights. Simple choices, like what to have for lunch, become complex equations, each with its own set of consequences. Control Freak Carl insists on evaluating every option meticulously, while Anxious Annie frets over the potential fallout of each decision. Fearsome Fred makes sure that every choice is scrutinized for potential risks, creating a mental workout that leaves me feeling the burn and paralyzed by indecision.

Evening Cool Down: Social Scrutiny
In the evening, I enter the meticulous review phase, analyzing social interactions for hidden meanings and potential conflicts. Control Freak Carl reviews every detail of these interactions to ensure flawless navigation, while Anxious Annie searches for any signs of potential misunderstanding. Fearsome Fred, of course, makes every raised eyebrow and slight change in tone seem like a disaster waiting to happen, turning social exchanges into high-stakes events.

Night-time Marathon: Pre-sleep Panic
Finally, as I lay in bed, my mind embarks on a marathon, recapping every unfinished task and unresolved issue of the day. Control Freak Carl pushes for solutions and closure on every detail, Anxious Annie worries about the potential consequences of these unresolved issues, and Fearsome Fred ensures that every problem feels like an impending catastrophe. It’s like running a race with no finish line, leaving me exhausted and wide awake.

Overthinking isn’t just mentally exhausting—it takes a toll on my body too. Constantly worrying about every little detail can lead to chronic anxiety, with my brain always on high alert, never getting a chance to rest. This mental turmoil often results in physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue. And let’s not forget insomnia, as my brain races at a hundred miles an hour, turning sleep into a nightly battle.

Managing this mental marathon is no easy feat. So how do I calm the storm? I've found a few practical strategies that help:

  • Mindfulness and Meditation: Using Headspace has been a game-changer for me. These guided practices help center my mind and bring me back to the present moment. It’s like hitting the pause button on my thoughts.
  • Noting: One technique that has been particularly helpful for me is called "Noting." When I catch myself overthinking, I simply tell myself what I'm experiencing in the moment: "thinking," "feeling," "worrying." This act of noting helps me focus on the present and interrupts the cycle of overthinking. It’s a simple but powerful way to anchor my awareness and bring myself back to reality.
  • Set Time Limits for Worrying: I allocate a specific time each day to address my worries. Sometimes, when a worry pops up, I tell myself, "I will think about it in 5 minutes." This gives me a buffer and often helps diminish the urgency of the thought. Additionally, I keep a notebook where I write down my worries with a note on the top that reads “For Tomorrow”. This practice helps me postpone the anxiety and focus on the present.
  • Practice Self-Compassion: I remind myself to be kind. It’s okay to make mistakes, and I don’t have to be perfect.
Having a strong support network is also essential. Talking to someone—a friend, family member, or therapist—can provide perspective and relief. Sometimes, just saying things out loud can help. 
Understanding the daily habits and thought patterns of overthinkers is the first step toward managing them. With practical strategies and a supportive network, it’s possible to break the cycle of overthinking and find peace of mind. 

Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll dive into the impact of overthinking on our relationships, and importantly, what not to say to an overthinker. This will be a guide for both overthinkers and the people who interact with them daily.

Today's Wisdom:

"You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain." – Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

Miyamoto Musashi was a renowned Japanese swordsman, philosopher, and strategist. His seminal work, The Book of Five Rings, written in the 17th century, offers profound insights into strategy, combat, and life. Musashi's philosophy emphasizes adaptability, discipline, and the acceptance of different approaches to achieve one's goals.

This quote resonates with me because it beautifully encapsulates the essence of managing overthinking. In the context of overthinking, Musashi's wisdom reminds us that there are various ways to manage our minds and find peace. Whether it's through mindfulness with Headspace, the practice of noting, setting time limits for worrying, or seeking support from friends and therapists, each path offers a unique approach to calming the mental chaos.

So, while our minds may be stormy, remember that there are multiple ways to reach that calm center within us—no single path is the only way. And hey, if Musashi can find his way to the top of the mountain, maybe we can navigate our mental mess too. Even if it feels like climbing Mount Everest with a broken compass.

Remember keep whispering your truth—because even in the darkest storm of overthinking, calm lies within you; it's your core.

Leila ❤️