Now it’s 6 things you need to stop before 2024

Interesting. But how does one stop overthinking? Serious question. Do you just make a knee jerk decision or only allow yourself x amount of time to ponder over something?

If it were that easy, I would have stopped 1 and 3 already. I know they are bad for me but I can't just say I'll stop.

I started a thread here once on overthinking because I still don't think I understand it from a non-manic POV. You can search for the thread by my name, if you think that might help.

For me, mania triggers obsessive thinking, ruminating to the point of paranoia. This to me is very bad but it means I'm sick. Many times my brain is moving so fast that it seems like it doesn't slow down to think about a single topic for a long period of time. It takes a lot of training to refocus myself. Overthinking to me is a good thing because it finally means I don't have to fight my brain to concentrate on one particular thing for a period of time and it is in this space that I feel like I can make the most rational decisions and put together my best arguments. I did not understand why this was a bad thing.

In that thread I learned that many people are uncomfortable with that level of thinking because in them it produces a feeling of anxiety. And it seems particularly damaging to people who deal with an actual GA diagnosis, I assume much the same way that mania can lead me to obsessive thoughts that cause paranoia and delusions and are out of my control. If this is you, then the OPs second point about neglecting mental health applies.

But most people don't realize that there are a lot of ways to recognize negative thinking and turn thoughts around. Psychologists and some life coaches can teach you strategies for doing so. Now I'm not going to sit here and tell you it is easy. It isn't. 23 years ago I started this with a therapist. And some days, the days when my brain is moving the fastest, it can be like a game of tennis, with Serena Williams, batting the crazy thoughts away. 😂 But it can be done. You don't always have to marinate on your negative thoughts, you don't have to accept them, you can turn them into positive thoughts that you deeply believe, and you can change your mood. It takes time, effort, and patience. But if it wasn't possible, I would be an even crazier mess of a person without control enough to even reply to a thread like this in a way that is coherent and kind.

Good luck! ❤️

I agree with jeremysgirl in that you can change your overthinking, but it takes a lot of work and practice. I’ve been working on that sort of thing for years, and have had great success. I’m in a much better place for it. But it isn’t something you can just stop doing in the next few days.

My three things would be:
1. Stop perusing the news and the internet by 7:00 in the morning. Time to get moving.
2. Stop talking myself out of going for a walk outside when it’s cold. I own jackets and gloves and will be perfectly comfortable.
3. Stop going to the grocery store at 4pm. It leads to lousy choices for dinner.

I don't know...I think sometimes in my circumstances overthinking has been a good thing and helped me make sure my ds is getting the right care and right procedures.

This comes from a space of not always trusting the medical teams. Long back story on that one.

100% agree with 3. Very much yes.

And of course making your mental health a priority is very important.

Yep, more times than I can count. I try and avoid regrets and for me, I never regret thinking something through a lot more than the average bear, it comes naturally to me, is super helpful, and gives me a sense of control I need for so many reasons. But there have been many times where I’ve haven’t thought something through the way I normally would that I do regret. But I do recognize that there is a point where “really thinking something through” becomes overthinking in an unhealthy way, and I will admit I can’t always make that distinction. My MIL has an it’ll be fine attitude and it works for her personality (and frankly, her financial status because she can afford to fix whatever didn’t work). But that’ll never be me, and I’m okay with that. 

The article mentions overthinking can lead to less enjoyment of things. For me, looking for better ways to solve a problem is fun! My line for what is considered overthinking is probably much further out than most. Again, I recognize it can become unhealthy and I’m working on it. But Sue’s definition of overthinking is probably much different than mine. I stress out not knowing that I did everything I could to make the best decision possible.