I (over)think, Therefore I Am…Troubled

Did he stare a bit too hard at me when saying he was fine?
Will my teacher cut marks for my awful handwriting?
Why did she text, “K,” when she could have said, “Okay, thanks”?

In these stressful, hectic, crazy, anxious times we live in, the smallest of things can irk us. But if you are an overthinker you allow the other person way too much power on yourself. As Her Circle celebrates Mental Wellbeing and Wellness this month, we exhort everybody to place their headspace in focus and seek professional help, therapy and care if you need support. On a milder note and especially for overthinkers, a basic playbook is right here:

Know that often things are as they are--the smile is genuine, the remark is not sarcastic and that look is not questioning.

Take accountability and learn from your mistake. In an unavoidable situation where you’ve failed, done something terrible, take accountability for it. Make sure it is not repeated.

Stay away from the grapevine. And the gossipmongers. The one who just nudge-nudge, wink-winked with you is ready to gossip about you. Don’t waste your time on them.

Set Boundaries. Nobody should be able to get away with taking liberties. Nine times out of 10 if you give the person feedback they will not cross that line.

Forgive and forget for your own mental peace. You may have been wronged but why allow that feeling to gnaw at you?

Cut off some people/things/places that trigger you. Yes, block/mute/cut them out—it’s therapeutic!

They say the more you overthink, the less you do. Do more, be more!