note to self: how to stop overthinking and find clarity ✨
Remind yourself not to trust your mind...
If you’re in a constant swirl of overthinking, know that there’s a way out and a much more blissful, peaceful way to live. Overthinking makes us feel heavy, overwhelmed, anxious, like everything we’re doing is a chore.
If you’re feeling any of this, know that overthinking is at the root of it.
“Thinking is the root cause of suffering” - Joseph Nyugen
Beyond the unpleasant feelings, overthinking is detrimental to our life because it blocks intuition and leads us to take actions that cause more overthinking.
It’s a deadly spiral.
Anxiety is what happens when you stop listening to yourself
We overthink because we are out of alignment. We are taking actions that we don’t actually want to take…we feel we “should” be doing things instead of wanting to do them out of love and inspiration.
And while you may understand this logically, you may be wondering, “What is it that I really want to do?”
The fog has an answer hidden inside it
Many times, we need to discover that answer because it’s not always clear. It’s lost in the fog of overthinking that has surrounded us for so long.
So the first step to coming out of overthinking and all the negative feelings that come with it is to get clarity on what it is that we truly desire.
Empty your cup to receive guidance
If you are overthinking, here is a great way to get out of it and get clarity.
Every time you catch yourself overthinking, journal.
Write out what you’re thinking word-for-word without editing. Let it all out - your whole stream of consciousness if you will. Don’t think about how it sounds or what you’re even saying. Don’t try to limit it or phrase it in a particular way. Don’t judge it. There is no right or wrong…
It doesn’t matter if you write a sentence or 2000. Just write out anything and everything your mind is saying in that moment. It could be multiple topics or just one thing you’re obsessing over…it doesn’t matter!
Once you let it all out in your journal, you should feel relief or some sense of release…It’s the feeling you get when you’ve vented out everything that’s on your mind. If more is coming, keep writing…There’s no right or wrong! You’ll know when you’re done.
The question that lets your intuition speak
When you’re done writing what you’re thinking, you can ask a question. A big one for me was to understand what I wanted to do professionally…or rather to understand what I wanted to dedicate my life to…my vocation.
Ask and write out the question
“What would I truly want to do if I had unlimited money, success, fame, and all my material desires met?
What would I do just because it makes me happy, curious, or inspired?”
While this is a big question to answer…you could use this process for any question, big or small, that you seek clarity on.
Get out of your mind and transcribe your thoughts
Once you write the question, start writing whatever comes to your mind, similar to the previous exercise. No editing, no judgement, no analysis…just free flow whatever comes to your mind.
If you feel like your mind is blank and no words are coming out, that’s okay! Write that out!
Don’t force an answer. Just know that the answer will come to you eventually, if not in that moment. Do this exercise as if you’re an independent transcriber just writing out whatever is on your mind. Move on and carry on with your day.
And the next time you’re overthinking (which could just be an hour later), repeat the same exercise.
How to tap into your intuition
What I’ve noticed is when you ask a question this way, you will receive an answer on paper.
This is your intuition answering your questions. This is what you truly want.
It may not come out the first time you write…sometimes it will…regardless, if you repeat this exercise every time you overthink…the answers will come and they will change your life, if you allow them to.
After you receive the answer, ask yourself, “How do you feel about this answer?”
Writing about how you feel is a sure shot way to know whether that is what you truly want to do.
Do you feel inspired, lighter, excited, or joyful?
Don’t let fear or judgement stop you here. Fear and judgement will likely pop up right about now.
Fear is not a stop sign
But fear and judgement are not indicators of not doing something. Fear and judgement pop up all the time when we go into the unknown. They are a companion to being courageous and in alignment so don’t let them deter you.
So let’s try it…Assuming everything you feared and judged was taken care of, what is it you truly want to do?
Follow that path to clear the fog…