The problem with overthinking is that it keeps us in our heads.
We fail to realise the simple but profound truth that life isn’t lived in our head but “out loud”, meaning that it’s lived by taking action, not by ruminating about all the different possibilities that could happen.
Why We Spend So Much Time in Our Heads
With this in mind, isn’t it amazing how our minds can often run away with themselves, almost by default?
Our minds often go down thought loops that lead us to wonder where those thoughts come from, and to question whether we are a good person, especially when the darker ones appear.
It’s worth remembering that the truth of the matter is that thoughts are just thoughts. They aren’t the truth or reality.
Thoughts Are Just Thoughts, Not Reality
The challenge is detaching from them, which is part of shadow work, and learning to transcend the ego to live from a place of higher consciousness, whereby we don’t allow our minds and thoughts (aspects of the ego), which seemingly just pop into our heads, to shape our identity and keep us stuck.
This can be a great challenge for the best of us, especially those who have a tendency to overthink and worry more than others.
I don’t like labels; they’re part of the ego, but I do think that we all have certain tendencies, and for some of us, that tendency is to overthink, ruminate, and have a more anxious disposition than others.
I can certainly relate to this and think I’m more of an overthinker than not.
It takes conscious practice to disconnect from the ruminating mind and create more space to just be.
How to Quiet the Ruminating Mind
The best ways I’ve learned to do this are, no surprise, through mindfulness and mind–body practices such as meditation, yoga, Qi Gong, walking in nature, and any type of physical movement.
But I’ve also found that changing up my physical environment can be an effective strategy, and not constantly being flooded by inputs.
By inputs, I mean not constantly listening, watching or consuming any form of media or digital content, whether this is TV, music, podcasts, YouTube videos, or anything else.
I tend to listen to a lot of podcasts, always wanting to be learning and adding to my repertoire of knowledge and information.
However, sometimes I don’t know about you, but all that information and input can sometimes just become noise and accumulate until it’s too much.
Information Overload and the Modern Mind
I find this is one of many things that can trigger chronic overthinking and rumination.
The outcome, coming back to how I started, is that we live too much in our heads and not out in the real world.
We get inspired by new ideas, concepts, and practices to try, but most of them stay in our minds and never see the light of day. They become constant thought-loop patterns that just go around and around in our minds.
Sure, bringing them all into the world at once isn’t practical or the solution, which is why I like journalling, because we can write them, or anything, down, which helps to put at least some of the rumination at bay.
Turning Thought into Action
But still, for many of us, we continue to live in our heads, ruminating about ideas and all the things we’re going to do, without ever actually doing them.
We think that by thinking about them, often perfecting them in our minds, we’re doing the right thing when, in reality, this is a manifestation of fear and just leads to a busy, overactive mind.
As Chris Williamson once said, “Thinking about doing the thing isn’t actually doing the thing.”
That hits differently! 😬
Life Is Lived Out Loud
And it nicely summarises my point, that life isn’t lived in our heads. It’s lived out loud in the world by taking action, trying new and different things, and learning through experience.
I think this is a life lesson that most of us will be constantly learning, especially if we have a tendency to overthink and ruminate easily.
It’s hard to navigate. I experience it daily.
But we all have our dispositions and tendencies, and part of life is figuring out how to work with what we’ve got, so that we can become better versions of ourselves and live our best lives possible.
A Gentle Reminder for Overthinkers
Overthinking might be one of your tendencies, as it is one of mine. If it is, I’m finding that reminding myself that life isn’t lived in our heads but “out loud”, in the real world, is a good way of navigating it, and taking some kind of action to keep moving forward, instead of being stuck in my own mind.
Well, that’s at least what I’m finding, gradually!
The Key Takeaways on Overthinking
- Thoughts Aren’t Reality: Recognise that the thoughts looping in your head are not facts. You can learn to detach from them and prevent them from defining your identity or keeping you stuck.
- Quieten Your Mind with Practice: You can create mental space through mindfulness and mind-body practices. Activities like meditation, yoga, walking in nature, or any physical movement help disconnect you from a ruminating mind.
- Reduce Information Overload: Constantly consuming media like podcasts, TV, and videos can become noise that triggers overthinking. Try reducing your daily inputs and changing your physical environment to give your mind a break.
- Turn Thoughts into Actions: Thinking about doing something is not the same as doing it. You can break the cycle of rumination by taking small, real-world actions. Journaling is a great first step to get ideas out of your head.
- Live Life ‘Out Loud’: The core lesson is that life is experienced through action and participation, not through mental rehearsal. Reminding yourself to live ‘out loud’ can help you move forward when you feel stuck in your thoughts.
FAQs for Living in Your Head Too Much?
Why do I overthink things so much?
Overthinking can feel like a default setting for many. It often stems from the mind’s tendency to get caught in thought loops, ruminating on possibilities instead of engaging with the present. While not a label, some people simply have a more natural disposition, an anxious or overthinking mind.
Are the thoughts in my head true?
It’s crucial to remember that thoughts are just thoughts, not an objective reality. They can pop into your head without your control and do not necessarily reflect who you are. The challenge is to learn to observe them without getting attached or believing they are the absolute truth.
What are some practical ways to stop overthinking?
You can quiet a busy mind with mind-body practices like meditation, yoga, and walking in nature. Reducing your consumption of digital media and changing your physical environment can also be very effective. Another powerful tool is journaling, which helps get thoughts out of your head and onto paper.
How can I turn my thoughts into actions?
Start by acknowledging that thinking about a task isn’t progress. The key is to take one small step and break the idea into its smallest possible action, and do that first. This builds momentum and moves you from rumination to participation.
What does it mean to live life ‘out loud’?
Living ‘out loud’ means engaging with the world through your actions and experiences rather than staying trapped in your head. It’s about trying new things, learning from doing, and participating in your life directly instead of just thinking about it.
