Do You Overthink?
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them.” ~ Abert Einstein
What does it mean when someone believes that they overthink?
There are things that we know (K); things that we know that we don’t know (DK); and then infinite things that we don’t know that we don’t know (DKDK).
Nietzsche posited that quite possibly only the most superficial thoughts rose to consciousness, writing, “For, to repeat it once more, man, like every living creature, thinks unceasingly, but does not know it; the thinking which is becoming conscious of itself is only the smallest part thereof, we may say, the most superficial part, the worst part: — for this conscious thinking alone is done in words, that is to say, in the symbols for communication, by means of which the origin of consciousness is revealed.” Comparatively, the thoughts that rise to consciousness may not even constitute a snowflake on the tip of an iceberg.
How is it possible for anyone to think “too much” or have “too many” conscious thoughts or see a situation or problem from “too many” perspectives? I mean, if your radio had infinite channels and unpleasant music was emanating from one channel you would just change the station — correct? You wouldn’t keep the unpleasant music on repeat — would you?
I readily acknowledge that our minds can fall into bad loops replete with negative ideas and even fantasies of self-harm known as suicidal ideation. Is that what is meant by “overthinking”, when our thoughts are circling the drain? Or do you believe that you are analyzing a problem or situation in too many ways and thus becoming overwhelmed and paralyzed by the plethora of possibilities?
Or do our minds get fixated on unprofitable “what-if” scenarios and making contingency plans to try to avoid possible but often improbable imaginary future pain and suffering?
Or are our minds simply trapped in loops that it doesn’t know how to escape?
If you were solving advanced math and physics problems do you believe that you could “overthink” them?
William James said, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” If you believe that you are overthinking, maybe it’s time to choose better thoughts?
Allow me to give you a hint regarding some more propitious thoughts that you can choose: are you reading this on a phone, tablet or computer? Did you eat something today? Did you eat something delicious today? Did you have a roof over your head last night? And no bombs came raining down on that roof? Well, then you have something to be grateful about.
I like this metaphor: our minds have three file cabinets in them; one for the past, one for the present, and one for the future. Unfortunately, our minds are unreasonably talented at filing shit from the past (primarily traumas) into the future.
At the very least, it seems like we can be more precise in our languaging and say, “My mind is in a bad loop” or “This is exactly what it feels like when my mind is spinning out (out of control)” or “Fixating on these thoughts is resulting in anxiety, worry, stress.”
This is one of the benefits of practicing meditation: eventually realizing that most of the thoughts that rise to consciousness are stupid, absurd, negative, redundant, and probably maladaptive. Having the ability to cultivate equanimity when our minds feel like Grand Central Station at rush hour is one ramification of meditating.
Until we learn how to shift levels of consciousness, to direct our attention towards love, compassion, and gratitude, and avoid getting sucked into depressing resentments about the past and anxiety-provoking fears about the future, we could find our minds trapped in bad loops.
However, learning how to observe our thoughts and not allowing them to drag us around as if we were pointlessly trying to harness wild horses, will help disabuse us of the notion that we are overthinking.
Next time you sincerely believe that you are overthinking, write down three things for which you are grateful and meditate on each one for one minute.
