General Information
Many years ago, I had a good friend who absolutely hated vacations. He would never take one voluntarily. His boss or wife would, from time to time, insist that he take a few days off. Only then would he reluctantly agree and plan a trip. As much as he liked the order and predictability of his daily life, he detested the chaos and disorder that came with vacations. In describing his disgust, I heard him use the same phrase over and over. He would pause reflectively and then say, “What if…” Each “what if…” was followed by some difficulty or problem that could become a life-shattering catastrophe without his direct intervention. It became apparent that he poisoned his vacation experience with two little words, “What if…”
When we allow “What if…” to transform our excitement into anxiety, we have journeyed into the canyon of overthinking. Contrary to how many people use the phrase, over-thinking is not simply planning ahead or preparing for contingencies. Nor is it merely worrying or fretting about what could happen. Over-thinking happens when we become so obsessed with a situation, decision or feelings that it causes us to experience extraordinary anxiety, anger, or depression.
When driving an unfamiliar route, it is smart to know where the gas stations are and how far your vehicle can go on a tank of gas. It may even be wise to plan on stopping before your tank reaches ½ or ¾ in order to give yourself a little room for error. This is especially true if your route is through a desert. However, when you do all of the above and then fill your trunk with several cans of gas because you are fearful of the unknown, you have stumbled into the canyon of overthinking.
Overthinking happens when we feel like we are trapped into taking huge risks that cannot even be named. But we must be prepared, anyway. When obsessed with the “What ifs …” of the journey, rocks may fall from the high canyon walls and every canyon bend hides sinister unknowns. Overthinking leads us into taking extraordinary precautions against imagined and unrealistic anxieties. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
Some people believe that overthinking is a simple act of the mind. They assume that by controlling our thoughts we can prevent overthinking. But it is far more deeply rooted in our spirit. However, there are several things that can be done. But only if we can address our overthinking with our whole spirit, body-mind-soul. Over the next few weeks we will be exploring some of these options.
When we allow “What if…” to transform our excitement into anxiety, we have journeyed into the canyon of overthinking. Contrary to how many people use the phrase, over-thinking is not simply planning ahead or preparing for contingencies. Nor is it merely worrying or fretting about what could happen. Over-thinking happens when we become so obsessed with a situation, decision or feelings that it causes us to experience extraordinary anxiety, anger, or depression.
When driving an unfamiliar route, it is smart to know where the gas stations are and how far your vehicle can go on a tank of gas. It may even be wise to plan on stopping before your tank reaches ½ or ¾ in order to give yourself a little room for error. This is especially true if your route is through a desert. However, when you do all of the above and then fill your trunk with several cans of gas because you are fearful of the unknown, you have stumbled into the canyon of overthinking.
Overthinking happens when we feel like we are trapped into taking huge risks that cannot even be named. But we must be prepared, anyway. When obsessed with the “What ifs …” of the journey, rocks may fall from the high canyon walls and every canyon bend hides sinister unknowns. Overthinking leads us into taking extraordinary precautions against imagined and unrealistic anxieties. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
Some people believe that overthinking is a simple act of the mind. They assume that by controlling our thoughts we can prevent overthinking. But it is far more deeply rooted in our spirit. However, there are several things that can be done. But only if we can address our overthinking with our whole spirit, body-mind-soul. Over the next few weeks we will be exploring some of these options.
Tip -- Relaxing into Life
The first tip for avoiding overthinking is to practice relaxing into life. Relaxation counters the obsession with “What if…” and allows us to let go and allow the world to unfold as it will. Here are a few suggestions for relaxing into life.
These are just a few of the ways you can relax into your daily life. A more relaxed approach to each day will lessen the need to overthink all of the “What ifs…” Instead of “What if…”, make space in your life for “What is!”
Blessings and peace!
Bob
- Focus on the little things, daily routines and duties.
- Lower your expectations to levels you can actually control.
- Spend time with calm, relaxed people or pets, especially pets.
- Don’t put off the essential trivia of life. Get it done and off the to do list.
- Make room for quiet even if it is five minutes between appointments.
- Give yourself time and distance for perspective. Back up and take a look at the broader landscape of your life.
- Develop the daily habit of gratitude by either journaling moments of thankfulness or offering prayers of thanksgiving at the beginning and/or close of each day.
These are just a few of the ways you can relax into your daily life. A more relaxed approach to each day will lessen the need to overthink all of the “What ifs…” Instead of “What if…”, make space in your life for “What is!”
Blessings and peace!
Bob
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