Dear Overthinker : You deserve peace too | How to Stop Overthinking and Find Mental Clarity

How to stop overthinking and start living in the present

Introduction – A Letter to Every Overthinker Out There

Overthinking, A common yet a disastrous, A very rigid and hard to leave habit. 

I personally wonder so much that sometimes I sit for half an hour and I feel like waiting ! Am I sleeping with my eyes open ?

Seriously, This is something that I have felt most of the time.

Do you know the worst or the most interesting part of Overthinking is that we overthink and consider ourselves superior.

Superior in what ? Like I don't know about you but in my case i always used to think that I am a genius because whatever I used think it gets true. So I started believing that I can predict the future. 

It sounds a little weird but ya I am Little weird as grown up watching superheroes like Dr Strange, I too have a weird fantasy of having superpower such that I look in the past and future.

Thanks to my Overthinking capabilities that made me believe that I can predict most of the outcomes.

But if you see the reality from a broad perspective,life is really messy , I mean we really don't care what we are now 5 years from now.

So it's just a pointless and  meaningless way that we are arguing about our life. 

Overthinking, most people are Overthinker. A recent report from the University of Michigan found that almost 57% of women and 43% of men are Overthinkers.

That's really a big number. But have you guys ever wondered why we overthink ? 

Or have you been in a condition where you said ok , now I need to stop doing this ! 

Or sometimes you just felt like scratching your head or just hitting your head hard on the walls in frustration. 

Maybe or maybe not. 

The idea behind writing this post is not just about writing the overthinking definition with some waste points but I personally wanna share my story with you guys. 

So thought couldn't be a better platform than this. 

We will be covering a lot of things from the best ways with which you can stop overthinking along with my personal story that feels personal to you along with some tips 

We will see at the end . For now let's have a fun chat on overthinking.

A Personal Story – How Overthinking Affected My Exams

I am personally a big overthinker and when I say I am an overthinker, I mean I really overthink on the smallest things.

Like I wanna share one recent incident of mine. In the past semester, I finished my exams and practicals and was just a free guy with no work to do.

My exams went well except for the M2(Engineering Mathematics exam) . That was also because of overthinking as I panicked during the exam so my mind became blank and I was in a state of cluelessness.

It happens with me frequently, so I was just wondering what would be my result. In my heart I knew that I would get good marks but that thought of M2 was making me so stressed that I lost all mental peace.

Believe me guys, that was the hardest time for me. As I was just praying everyday to God, please God just help me once. 

I don't wanna fail in exams.

Like my mind, it was so stuck with just one thought that I came out of it, even though I tried many times.

This is something that maybe happens with you too. If yes ? Then do share your experience in the comments section as I love reading your stories.

Signs You’re an Overthinker 

We all overthink, From the smallest level to the biggest ones. 

Why has my life become hell ?

Why am I not happy ?

Why am I overthinking ?

Why am I not getting success in life ? 

Sometimes we overthink because we are Overthinking, seriously I mean it's funny as well as serious at the same time. 

Overthinking has become a big reason why most people are mentally ill. 

Overthinking has become the reason why post people are anxious, stressed and depressed.

Are you the one who thinks thrice before wearing a new dress while going out ? If yes congratulations you are an overthinker. 

Do you write a text, delete it, rewrite it, then end up not sending it at all? If yes congratulations you are an overthinker.

Do you rehearse your “hi” ten times before actually saying it?

classic overthinker move—congratulations!

Ever replayed a 5-second conversation from 3 years ago like it's a Netflix episode?

If that’s a yes, you’re definitely an overthinker.

Last of the last if you ever felt sad because you yelled at someone because they hurted you, so you keep on thinking about what would be their circumstances that they have done wrong with you , then my friend you are a god level overthinker like me.

So what next ? 

 The Psychology Behind Overthinking

We overthink because it's a human tendency to think about our decision and to figure out what we have done is right or wrong.

See there is a very fine line between a good thinker and an overthinker. 

A good thinker knows when to stop but an overthinker just dives deep into the ocean of thoughts such that even though he tries to come off the shore he can't and drowns himself into the endless thoughts of the ocean.

Overthinking can be due to many reasons.

Maybe you want everything to be perfect as fine, you just think that everything goes in the right direction otherwise all your efforts will go in vain. 

Or you have some personal trauma or you have faced life's hardest battle knowing that even a single small problem feels like a war for you.

Or you are an overthinker normally like us who needs to go deep into the thought and think about every aspect of the situation. 

What is right, what is wrong and bla bla…..

Effects of Overthinking on Your Brain and Body

So have you ever wondered that when you think too much , how does it affect your brain? 

If not then let me tell you !

It feels like someone has put a 100kg weight on your head, why ? 

It feels like all our energy is drained ? 

It feels like I'm exhausted. 

Why this happens it happens because your mind is a very heavy machine and that heavy machine doesn't use petrol it uses energy.

So the funda is simple the more you will think the more energy is required to process the information and thoughts.

Obviously it is good when done in one specific direction like doing research or writing college essays.

In our case we overthink so many things at the same time, a thousand thoughts revolve in our head and at the end we get exhausted.

Thing is it is not just about getting exhausted but overthinking leads to an imbalance in emotions, stress, anxiety and depression which are very common these days.

See it's very important to cope with emotions, once stuck in a chain of emotions you will get lost in the immense ocean of thoughts that you will cry.

It is the reality, as an overthinker I personally have felt that when you can't handle emotions the the wave of those thoughts is so strong that you ultimately get into depression and anxiety. 

It's really hard to come out from it.

Overthinking leads to depression.

I mean why ? Why are you thinking about something that has not even happened? 

It's like facing the same situation twice, once in your head and once in reality and God knows whether you are going to face it in reality or not ? 

The funny thing here is we don't even think about situations, we create a whole bunch of situations.

Ever created a situation where you saved your school from terrorists ? 

Ever imagined your crush proposing to you ? 

Ever imagined you woke up one day and realised that you are the next spider man and you're gonna save the world ?

This is what we call a serious case of overthinking but don't worry because everyone does it. 

You are not broken You are just carrying to much 

The first and foremost thing that my dear readers should understand is that giving priority to your thoughts and constantly thinking about them doesn't add any value to your life.

Instead just thinking for the whole day will only bring stress, anxiety and depression. Overthinking creates a mental fog, it lowers your problem solving capabilities and makes you less productive.

So you decide whether you need a happy life that's free from these things or you want to be a guy who takes up small things and becomes depressed over the smallest issues.

Believe me or not life becomes more simple when you stop carrying the weight of your thoughts.

See life is small and why carry the thoughts of things that are not even going to happen ? 

Why take stress for situations that have not even happened? 

Let me ask you a simple question, imagine this !

A snake bites you in a jungle, what's the first thing that you will do ? 

Will you save yourself or will you search for that snake ? 

Indeed you will save yourself, similarly these thoughts are like snakes and instead of catching those snakes, you have to stay attentive. 

Don't think beyond need.

Now the main thing: what's the best way we can eliminate overthinking ? 

Read Overthinking Vs Deep thinking and know the difference

How to Stop Overthinking and Find Peace

So here's a list of mental clarity tips that you can do to gain mental energy and reduce the mental clutter completely from your life.

1.Write It down

A famous quote by Charles Kettering states that A problem well stated is a problem half solved. 

So pick a pen and paper and write it down.

Write down what you are feeling, write down each and everything that's revolving in your mind.

From the very finest details just put everything into that paper. What will happen, how it will happen. 

Write everything on that paper, pick up that paper and then fold it and then tear it. 

You will feel satisfied. When we write something we get clarity of it and when you will write everything you will get clarity in your head and you will feel a little more relaxed.

2.Practice Saying it's Ok out loud

Why do we overthink ? 

We overthink because we have a fear of losing someone! 

What if he or she doesn't leave me ? 

What if I couldn't achieve my goals ? 

What if she says no ? 

How would I deal with my failures ? 

See, just say it yourself that everything is ok and you don't need to worry.

Believe me guys life unfolds events in such a way that when everything becomes right you will understand that there is a reason why this happened to me.

Don't take stress over small things. Just pick up one line and that is “At the end everything will be okay and if it is not okay then it is not the end”.

3. Replace the “What ifs” with “Even if”

We’ve all been caught in the circle of “what ifs.” What if I fail? 

What if things don’t go as planned? 

What if I’m not good enough? 

These thoughts feel harmless at first, but they slowly chip away at our confidence and stop us from moving forward. What if — is fear in disguise. But here’s a gentle shift that can change everything: replace “what if” with “even if.” Say it out loud. 

Even if I fail, I’ll learn. Even if things don’t go as planned, I’ll adapt. Even if I’m not perfect, I’ll still try. Do you feel the difference? It’s subtle but powerful. “Even if” acknowledges the risk but doesn’t let fear lead. 

One extra thing that you can do is practice daily life affirmations. Affirmations are a great way to reduce stress, avoid negative thoughts and keep yourself positive throughout your whole day.

Also Read : 5 ways to think positive throughout your whole day

It’s a mindset rooted in faith — in yourself, your journey, and your growth. Life becomes a lot lighter when you stop preparing for every possible disaster and start trusting your ability to handle what comes. So next time doubt creeps in, gently remind yourself — Even if... I’ve got this.

4. Set mental and physical boundaries

Setting mental boundaries and physical boundaries is important, see we all come across different peoples in our life.

We meet new people, we have to deal with every type of people, maybe in your life you have some colleagues or relatives who are toxic and are hard to handle.

Bringing emotional peace for overthinkers is not easy as one needs to deal with a lot of things, but one easy way to do that is stop thinking about others and setting up some mental boundaries.

The best thing that you can do is cut them off.

Don't let anyone enter into your mind, don't give permission to anyone such that they can play with your mental health.

The remote of mental health should be in your hand only.

Don't let other thoughts, perception and behaviour overrule your mental health.

Don't let others' behaviour decide how you will feel today.

Just live the best of your life.

Ignore what people are thinking, ignore what they are telling you about or why they are criticising you.

You just sit, relax and live your life.

Remember it's your life and the best way to make justice with your life is to stay happy.

Also Read : How To Build Mental Toughness in life

If you have certain people who demotivate you, who lowers your confidence, who makes your fun just do one thing and that is avoid them. 

Cut them off from your life.

5. Practice mindfulness for overthinking

Meditation is one way with which you can control the rapid growing activity of your mind. Overthinking comes when we are stuck up in our thoughts, thoughts of past or future. 

Meditation allows you to focus on the present moment, just close your eyes, take a deep breath and discover your thought patterns. Understand your mind.

Meditation will not only calm your mind but will also give you mental peace. Practicing deep breathing and breathing exercises is also a great way with which you can eliminate overthinking from your life.

You will feel more relaxed, more focused and more energetic. 

The best habit I would say that you can do is start doing mindfulness meditation. 

Not for an hour, 15 minutes a day is sufficient. Doing mindfulness meditation will lead you to a more balanced and healthy mind.

Check out how you can practice meditation in your hectic life

6. Limit your decision-making (too many choices = anxiety)

Last but not the least try taking only important decision don't let your mind do a deep thorough research even on the simplest topics like what to eat.

As said earlier, you should not think much on simple things like “should I send a message or not ?”

Limit your decisions, make decisions wisely and don't take things more seriously.

Life is about fun and fulfilling goals not about taking stress over small small things.

Final Words 

So that'll all for now guys , We have talked a lot about overthinking and I think that's enough.

Let's meet with something new and fresh. Keep the good points of this post with yourself. 

Try implementing the strategies in your life and do comment if you have something new to share. Also do share your feedback with us, would love to hear from my fellow reader friends.

Great Day Keep Reading :)