I think too much. I have trouble “living in the moment”, because I’m thinking about the past, about the future, what I have to get done, what I want to be, etc, and it drives me crazy. I struggle with overthinking. I think about things again and again, and I find myself living in an endless cycle of thoughts, and I can’t stand it. I’ve been this way for longer than I can remember. I become frustrated because my thoughts lead me to more complex areas of my mind. My overthinking leads to worrying, which is often unnecessary, and it doesn’t make me feel good.

So how do I move past this? Can I? Or is my overthinking innately built into me, destined to be a part of me forever?

My reflection on this idea also lead to more overthinking. But it also lead to a lot of good realizations about myself. Why do I overthink? What leads to this?

I think it’s because I care a lot, and I really want to succeed, in everything I do, from the most important things to the most menial things. It’s not even that I want to “impress” people, it’s more that I want to make sure I’m always putting my best self forward, and showing the best side of myself at all times. I want to be understood, even when at times, I don’t even understand myself.

And it’s because I want to know more about everything, I want to explore the deeper questions. Why did this happen? Or why did I say that? But the thing with overthinking, like I mentioned earlier, is that it often doesn’t lead anywhere, at least anywhere useful or beneficial to me. I’ll never be able to make sense of everything, and that’s just life. And the fact that I’m able to realize that means something, but unfortunately it doesn’t mean I’ll stop doing it.

But how can I mitigate it and manage it? That, I do have some answers to.

When I find myself overthinking, I stop myself and try to redirect my attention to what I’m doing at the moment, and it helps. I remind myself, one step at a time, one day at a time, and I take everything as it comes, and it actually works.

Life is complex, but I need to see it more simply. And focus on what is in front of me.

Exercise also helps. I try to run at least three times a week, and my mind feels clearer after I run. I’m able to use my frustrations to power my runs, and I run and forget about the world.

Writing helps too (which is why I write here). Putting everything down into words helps me organize my thoughts and realize what I’m actually feeling.

And finally, I remind myself that I am worthy of everything I have and am today. I am more than capable of accomplishing what I set out to, and I’m happy and excited to be here. And, again, I’ll take everything one step at a time along the way.