Finding Clarity with Four Steps to Stop Overthinking and Over-Analyzing

I always thought other people had it all figured out, but the truth is, we rarely do because life is unpredictable. When you are determined to figure something out, it is not uncommon for overthinking to occur.

Often, the more you try to achieve clarity, the more doubt and confusion arise. Additionally, you may feel stuck, pulled in various directions, and unable to make decisions. These are some of the pitfalls of overthinking.

Overthinking can be exhausting and mentally draining, often adding more stress to a situation than alleviating it. It can take us away from the present moment and cause us to be consumed by our thoughts. In addition, it can lead to sleepless nights and a fear of moving forward.

If you want to stop overthinking, you must first understand what really creates the desire to overthink and over-analyze. This awareness will aid in ending the cycles of constant thought so you can enjoy life and not be controlled by your mind.

As a result, when triggers occur, you will be able to identify them and find clarity instead of unconsciously falling into destructive habitual thought patterns.

Some Common Pitfalls of Overthinking Are:

• Doubt
• Confusion
• Indecision
• Stress
• Racing thoughts
• Frustration
• Low Self-Esteem
• Negative Thinking
• Inaction

The Real Cause behind Overthinking

Contrary to what many believe, overthinking is not caused by a lack of clarity. Instead, lack of clarity is a by-product of over-analyzing. In truth, the driving cause of overthinking stems from worry, anxiety, and stress, all of which are rooted in fear.

As a result, you will notice that when you are overthinking, your mind is focused on negative thoughts. Moreover, you begin to second-guess yourself and your decisions. For this reason, the mind cannot arrive at a conclusion because of the fear of negative outcomes.

4 Steps to Stop Overthinking

Step One: Building Awareness

Whenever you fall victim to the pitfalls of overthinking, become aware of any negative and repetitive thought patterns you have.

Likewise, acknowledge anything you may be feeling. For example, you may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed.

Additionally, you may be putting pressure on yourself, striving to attain a specific outcome, or avoiding an unfavorable one.

In truth, overthinking is not conducive to solving problems. So, recognize that your mind has been hi-jacked by fear-based thoughts. Until you acknowledge and face your fears, you remain stuck.

Step Two: Temporarily Take a Step Back and Shift your Attention Away from your Overthinking Mind

Notice that ruminating is not leading you anywhere, and try to pull attention away from your mind.

Instead, find other things to focus on and don’t do anything pertaining to the situation if it’s not urgent. You may be overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted, and taking a break will be helpful.

Additionally, if you are dealing with a lot, your attention may be split making it difficult to focus.

So, take a step back from trying to figure anything out and instead, do something relaxing and enjoyable. Only return to your situation when you feel more grounded and at ease.

Step Three: Balance your Thoughts

Talk to Someone

Talking to someone who can offer a different point of view can shed light on your situation. A good counselor or friend knows how to ask the right questions and provide a more balanced perspective.

Imagine Your Worst-Case Scenario

A great exercise is to imagine the worst possible outcome and take your worst-case scenario as far as it can go.

Really, you are already ruminating over this fear but now you can become conscious of it with this exercise.

Ask yourself, what is the absolute worst-case scenario?

For example, when I was deciding whether to start a blog, I feared putting my thoughts out into the world. I was afraid of making myself vulnerable.

To take this a step further, I imagined all the terrible things that could come from it. I envisioned criticism, losing privacy, losing friends, being stalked and harassed.

Then, I realized that if any of these things happened, I could just accept it and I’d get through it.

We all fear different things, and it doesn’t matter what your fear is because if it happens you will be resilient enough to get through it. In fact, it is liberating to make peace with the things you most fear.

Determine What is in Your Control

What questions are on your mind? Are the answers available to you? Are they in your control? If not, let them go.

Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do, so, the best course is acceptance. Know that whatever comes along, you are fully capable of handling.

Assume you Have Enough Context when You’re Overthinking

Many people are uncomfortable with uncertainty and continue to search for answers even when there are no more left to find.

Therefore, once you’ve gathered the information you have available, assume you have enough context to move forward even when you don’t have all the answers.

This will help you avoid overthinking, and prompt you to act. Know you’ve explored and chosen the best course and will no longer be stuck.

Read more about getting comfortable with uncertainty here.

Make Peace with Fear

Too often we unconsciously tell ourselves that we can avoid failure by not trying. We are convinced that we can stay safe and out of harm’s way by remaining in our comfort zone.

So, we desperately hold on to this illusion of control not realizing that we have lost control and are being controlled by fear.

Imagine your best-case scenario and let it wash away your fears and concerns. In fact, because uncertainty is a part of life, the possibilities available to you are endless. Be open to them, trust yourself, and have faith that all will be well.

Making your peace with fear is the best way to break free of the control it has over you. Remember that you are capable of coping with unwanted outcomes by accepting them.

Nothing that you make peace with can hurt you. Furthermore, discerning what is in your control and working with the known variables, is crucial to avoiding the pitfalls of overthinking.

Release Resistance and Accept Reality

We are afraid to live and afraid to die, but life is full of successes and failures and living and dying arise together. This is reality and any resistance we have to it plunges us into delusion.

As a result, we become frustrated wanting things and people to be the way we want. Then, when they are not, we become disappointed and dissatisfied. The only way to end this cycle is to accept the way things are, even when we don’t like them.

Step Four: Stillness

When you dig too deep into water, you pick up mud. Similarly, overthinking creates more confusion because you are digging too deep into thought. Stillness clears your mind and opens a doorway to creativity, problem solving, insight, and inspiration.

Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher has described this beautifully, “do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles, and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving until the right action arises by itself?”

Therefore, when you overthink, you are kicking up mud and sand, but by being still, the mud will settle, and everything will become clearer.

Read about Falling in Love with Silence and Stillness here

Peace and Freedom from Overthinking

While you may be trying to achieve a particular outcome, remember that there are no guarantees, good or bad. Consequently, when you accept the possibility of loss or failure, you are free to move forward.

Moreover, believing you can control every aspect of life is an illusion. So, recognize this and surrender everything that is not in your control.

Embrace the unknown because it isn’t going anywhere, and many blessings await you in this vast universe of possibility.

With Endless Love,

Ravelle

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Read related articles:

Dealing with Uncertainty

Difficulty Making Decisions

Falling in Love with Silence and Stillness