Do You Think Too Much?

[Azriel]

Do you ever think that you think too much? that too much of our time is spent working out problems, or anxieties in our heads that aren't ours to deal with? How do you stop thinking? I'm not talking thinking about daily activities. I mean the big issues of why, and meaning and God and doubt?

Of course, this goes right along with anxiety. I just wonder if anyone has any other techniques. I seem to be coming around, but I still have trouble realizing that my thoughts aren't necessarily true and can't hurt me.

[Guest ZeweInAeternum]

I don't think that thinking too much about those sorts of things is possible. They're important matters that are impossible to fully grasp with any amount of thought, but there's always room for more understanding.

[Azriel]

Honestly, you'd think you were right....However ...

What if you your thoughts paralyze you? What if you are unable to function because the infinite web of what if spins through your mind to the point that you are immobile from fear?

I understand that people that do not have issues with Anxiety, with a capital "A", and anxiety, are possibly not capable of understanding why its hard to redirect your thoughts.

And, while I'm certainly doubting God right now, if one person on this thread tell me that I just need to have MORE FAITH, I will personally fly to where they are at and slap them with a herring.

[Guest ZeweInAeternum]

[quote name='Azriel' date='11 January 2010 - 01:45 PM' timestamp='1263231901' post='2034848']
Honestly, you'd think you were right....However ...

What if you your thoughts paralyze you? What if you are unable to function because the infinite web of what if spins through your mind to the point that you are immobile from fear?

I understand that people that do not have issues with Anxiety, with a capital "A", and anxiety, are possibly not capable of understanding why its hard to redirect your thoughts.

And, while I'm certainly doubting God right now, if one person on this thread tell me that I just need to have MORE FAITH, I will personally fly to where they are at and slap them with a herring.
[/quote]

If you're afraid of your beliefs, then more thought - logical thought, not emotional - will either change your beliefs or affirm that your fear is indeed well-founded. In the case of the latter, though it may be inconvenient, is that really a bad thing? Knowledge is always better than ignorance.

You're doubting God, you say - think it out. You'll either rationalize him out of your life, or you'll reaffirm your belief in him. Either way, whichever conclusion you arrive at personally is for the best.

[Nihil Obstat]

Sometimes too much, sometimes too little. Mostly just badly.

My biggest problem with big choices is that I try to convince myself of one side or another and tend to stick to it. That causes problems when it turns out that I convinced myself of the wrong position.


I do know about being decisive though. If you do think that you have a problem in being decisive, then start small. Everyday activities. Think of something a bit out of the ordinary, then don't think anymore about it. Just do it. Order a wrap instead of a sandwich, you know? Lol.

Some decisions aren't that important and don't really need to be thought about. If you're indecisive, like I have been in the past, then you even overthink these small things that don't deserve any thought. If you can train yourself to be decisive in these small things, then it's just a natural progression to train yourself to be decisive (with common sense, of course) on more important decisions.

I think [url="http://artofmanliness.com/2009/09/20/paradox-of-choice/"]this is a good article.[/url] It's geared towards men, but relevant for everyone.


[/ramble]

Edited January 11, 2010 by Nihil Obstat

[Nihil Obstat]

I have a personal philosophy about making choices. I try only to think about things that I can in theory do something immediately about (or planning for imminent events).

If there's something that may happen, or may not, but it's too soon to tell.... I don't think about it. Or I try not to.
If there's something happening that I can't do anything about, I don't think about it.
If I'm involved in something that's happening, and I need to respond to it, I think about specifically what I'm going to do and why, and I plan accordingly, and then I stop thinking about it.

I like to think it works. I don't often get stressed.

[Fidei Defensor]

I struggle with this problem a lot.

My coping methods - write every thought down and get it out of my head. Also, listening to guided relaxation so that my mind has to follow someone else's words instead of my thoughts.

To be honest, though, I haven't had a good amount of relief with anything except medication.

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='11 January 2010 - 07:12 PM' timestamp='1263237146' post='2034927']
My coping methods - write every thought down and get it out of my head.
[/quote]
That's what I do. It really does help me a lot.

[Lil Red]

+JMJ+
i do not suffer from anxiety, but one thing that does help me when i'm 'wound up' and can't get my mind to settle down is to pray for Our Blessed Mother's help - not necessarily the rosary - most often in spontaneous prayer.

[cmotherofpirl]

Write it all down. Wait a day, then look over the list and decide what you are in charge of and what God is in charge of [Yes I know he is in charge, but sometimes your brain forgets!] Wrap your rosary around your wrist or put it in your pocket, and everytime something on God's list comes up, pat the rosary and remind yourself that is not your department. Sometimes you need to a physical reminder

[CatherineM]

My kindergarten report card actually said, "A very bright child, but she tends to worry about things she shouldn't." I'm afraid I never got over it. The worrying, not the report card. I have to write things down at night in order to let them go long enough to sleep.

[Azriel]

Guys, I love you. and Sometimes i have these moments that seem like clarity, and then they are gone, and I'm left feeling empty.

I know I should have faith. Everyone keeps telling me that. But its like grasping at something I can't catch. Fear of everything creeps right back in. I'm so afraid to die that I can't live. And, its so very tiring.

[Vincent Vega]

I think so much that I have to force myself to stay up to the wee hours to the point where I cannot stay awake any longer, just so I can get to sleep and not toss and turn, thinking and worrying about everything from the microscopic to the macrocosmic.

[KeenanParkerII]

I think way too much, it's resulted in emotional paralysis more than once. I like to go to the gym every day if not every second day, and going for walks. It helps calm my thoughts quite a bit. Also, you may want to go into academics as a career. It seems the only compatible career for nonstop thinkers like us.

[Guadalupe23]

I know I analyze things too much. When I lay down on my pillow at night, that's when my mind comes alive sometimes...