Did any of you ever beat the over-thinker mentality? What did you do?

BlackTemplar1989 · 2018-12-22T12:09:32+00:00

Start meditating if you haven't done so already. A lot of daydreaming and overthinking comes from our cognitive autopilot. In cognitive autopilot we keep imagining fictive situations and conversations we might have in the future. We even can get angry or afraid because of that.

The deeper you dive into meditation the easier it becomes to let the mind rest. Not only will you be more balanced emotionally, but you will also find it easier to socialize. Once you stop being stuck in your own head it becomes easy to read people and connect with them.

There are even more benefits to meditation, like increased release of antioxidants, increased amounts of telomerase, thickening of the prefrontal cortex (important for modulating complex social behaviour and impulse control) and many more.

It's like a buy one, get ten free.

light-----------dark · 2018-12-22T14:15:54+00:00

Yes, through meditation.

2 years, 2x daily. I’m now the commander of what was once a monkey mind.

2comment · 2018-12-22T10:49:38+00:00

What, in approach?

It's like any skill:

unconscious incompetence
conscious incompetence
conscious competence
unconscious competence

Read, practice, apply, analyze. Rinse, repeat.

If you mean in general, go do something. Physical if need be. Hard lifting or hard thinking (like maths or other logic games, not bullshit mental masturbation).

Radinax · 2018-12-22T12:19:59+00:00

Deep breaths and listen to the silence in all the noice. From the Power of Now this is a technique that helps me focus when I need to.

KilluaKanmuru · 2018-12-22T13:47:05+00:00

Meditation and stoicism. Develop that internal locus of control.

icecruzader · 2018-12-22T14:12:37+00:00

Zen meditation. Other meditations help. Focusing on the present and skiing into you body moves your focus from the bubbling thoughts and let's you prioritise what you are listening to in your head. It's a skill you need to practice.

93125 · 2018-12-22T15:57:48+00:00

A lot of people say meditation but I find meditation only helps during meditation.

FlexGunship · 2018-12-22T13:41:05+00:00

Fake it 'till you make it.

Act like you're not over thinking. Sounds dumb, but that's how I got to "ah, fuck it" land.

[deleted] · 2018-12-22T18:57:40+00:00

I admit I'm an overthinker.

I believe overthinking is a by product of consuming too much information, a lack of experience, and the fear of failure. Also I believe overthinking is a byproduct of a poor information to experience ratio.

The key is balance, and that's what I'm working on.

It will take time to overcome, but really go out and experience, fail and cut down on the information.

MGRaiden97 · 2018-12-22T10:32:33+00:00

First step is to recognize when you're overthinking. Second step is to stop it.

Practice meditation and it really is as easy as that

SnackPotato · 2018-12-22T11:55:50+00:00

I catch myself over thinking quite often, but to challenge it I try to be spontaneous.

QawL · 2018-12-22T15:25:16+00:00

I realized overthinking doesn't solve anything nor benefits me about any way. The things I dreamed while over thinking almost never happened.

And over time over thinking just dissappeared.

caneyfan · 2018-12-22T16:43:17+00:00

Develop the mindset of it really isn’t that crucial in the big picture. You’re only giving it importance in that moment. Lives will not be lost. It’s all about perspective. We tend to give events and non-events the weight and worry of the world is ending. I used to be a firefighter. You learn real quick the day to day shit people worry about and stress over while you’re on scene where someone lost their life or a loved one that the shit you’re freaking out about matters nil. It’s petty self importance type mindset in comparison. Develop a larger perspective and shrug the bullshit off.

laserdicks · 2018-12-22T12:16:25+00:00

intelligent application. Is this a high priority situation? If yes, (such as work) overthink. If no (such as social), err on the side of freedom and optimism.

tylrmcnl · 2018-12-22T14:39:37+00:00

Meditation

lbrownlbandit · 2018-12-22T16:14:06+00:00

Doing things that really challenged me without making me anxious. Learning the piano and guitar. Heavy lifting. Having serious conversations with people while holding eye contact. Taking the time to look at people and listen to them, I.e giving them the floor to speak.

All these also gave me a huge SMV boost as well so it's a win win.

[deleted] · 2018-12-22T17:50:47+00:00

I enjoy over thinking. I enjoy complexity. Sometimes it can be very rewarding.

If it is holding you back and you don't take action. It's shit.

Keeping it simple is a habit, just like over thinking is a habit. Break it like any other habit.

My father loved to tell me not to worry about it till I get there and in the moment you will make the right choice. You don't need to fret over the future or past, you just move on and keep moving. Take actions even if you might make a mistake. That is how you learn.

arial52 · 2018-12-22T18:11:03+00:00

ThE brain is a big wet dog. Ready to do anything you want. The catch is sometimes you haven’t declared what you want so ole habits or routines are still shaping today for you. Like a dog the brain needs a job. Otherwise it runs and runs and runs. Meditation helps guide the way to mindfulness in everyday. Being who you really are or want to be when ever you are. So. Nothing matters. Everything matters. You are an asshole. Everyone is an asshole. No one is an asshole inherently of course. You know what to do. Take charge of the dog. He’s your dog ffs. No tricks. Just yoda

[deleted] · 2018-12-22T22:19:12+00:00

you'd be surprised how much meditation helps

[deleted] · 2018-12-23T04:04:18+00:00

Working on it. Even saw a psychologist. Told me it's best to just focus on practical shit that will make my life better. Told me to use elastics. And every time I overthink, slap my wrist with the elastic. Conditions your mind. Used it to try to stop cracking my knuckles as well. I think this technique works. Message me if you want to know more.

LightCrazy · 2018-12-23T14:08:59+00:00

One day I was just tired of it and stopped giving any fucks. I started making simple, straight to the point conclusions about events happening around me and it relieved most of the stress from my life.

cornylamygilbert · 2018-12-26T00:48:41+00:00

working out

getting all your worries, concerns and priorities on paper to realize what is important and what is truly trivial

work on your emotional intelligence

figure out your mission in life

over thinking can be great in healthy applications (work, money, lifestyle etc)

It's the non productive over thinking you need to treat

YesVeryKewl · 2018-12-22T13:37:52+00:00

Cut down on caffeine

Title	Did any of you ever beat the over-thinker mentality? What did you do?
Author	FarOrAMess
Upvotes	88
Comments	37
Date	December 22, 2018 9:21 AM UTC (5 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/a8jia7/did_any_of_you_ever_beat_the_overthinker/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/did-any-of-you-ever-beat-the-over-thinker.71271 https://theredarchive.com/post/71271