Mannat Sandhu
“Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.”
– Robert Eliot
Now imagine this , after a tiring day at work , you’re finally getting to sleep on that oh so soft mattress of yours. But wait , the moment you’re ready to surrender yourself to 6 hours of sleep ( if you’re lucky ! ) , you suddenly remember, “Did I turn off the gas stove ?” ” What if the entire house just explodes and there I am dreaming about how I am going to answer the questions at Koffee with Karan ( yes I also have a struggle to talk about ! ), and many such more fake,over the top scenarios are being flashed in front of your eyes.
THE BEAST
This constant feeling of your head being constantly overburdened with unwanted thoughts, the ones you’re being involuntarily surrendered to , is my friend ,the beast.Often you put yourself under a lot of pressure , and you consider yourself responsible for every little thing happening around you. You overthink about a situation to such an extreme extent , that you’re no longer able to differentiate between reality and delusion.You want to stay in the reality but at the same time have one foot dangling in the realm of delusion.
Its that constant battle in your head between trying to stay the same and trying to stay sane.
THE BEAUTY
Sometimes thinking about any particular situation, whether in the past or future, helps you give a different perspective towards it and life as a whole.I mean the fact that Newton really over thought about a fallen apple, was pretty useful.But the key is to know when to stop.
I often think about a saying by Sylvia Plath
If i didn’t think, I’d be much happier.
and most of the times I resonate with it so much.This beautiful brain of yours which holds this massive power of creativity and imagination often turns into this beast you never could’ve expected.
THE PANACEA
1.Meditation
If I tell you that meditation is going to help you, I’d be only 50% correct. Just because you sit down, cross your legs and close your eyes , does not mean that you’re meditating; because your mind is still at loggerheads with your thoughts.So to begin with, whenever you feel like you need to calm down , take a deep breath and try to clear your mind. Then slowly try to give your mind enough space to breathe ( Yes it needs to! ). I know its easier said than done , but hey you got to begin somewhere.
2. Binge watch something
Well, well well..if it isn’t the solution to all our problems. I’m not even going to lie how many times I’ve resorted to this option ! And i just love it. Even if it temporarily helps you to distract your mind, then go for it.
3. Walk it out
Whether on your terrace, in your verandah or outside in a park, there’s nothing a quiet peaceful walk cannot solve .
4. Sleep it off
Sometimes i just feel ,I use this option as an excuse to get out of everything.
Feeling stressed ; Go to sleeep
Don’t feel like doing anything ; Go to sleep
There’s a fire ; Go to sl….NO WAIT..Buddy you got to run!
Maybe you’ll be at the same stage after you wake up , but hey at least you got a few hours of peaceful sleep, and boy that’s rare.
5. Call a friend
Sometimes talking to a friend really helps you either find a solution or help you take your mind off it.And if you don’y feel comfortable , you can seek professional help or contact at the official helplines.
Overthinking does not sound like a disorder , but don’t wait for it to become one.
6. Let go off things you cannot control
The most difficult one on the list yet the most effective. Take a minute and ask yourself, will I be able to do something to solve the situation,
If yes ; then work on a solution.
If no ; then remind yourself,
It is not your job to be everything to everyone.
– Paulo Coelho ( The Pilgrimage )
A penny for your thought ? If only it was a penny for every time I over thought, I’d be a millionaire, no wait a billionaire, no wait…you know what let me just go think about it.
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