A Practical Cure for Overthinking
- Stefan Jurgens
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 5
Overthinking drains joy, but peace comes through presence, not perfection. Question thoughts, contain worry, let them pass & take small actions. Be kind to yourself. You are not your anxious mind.
When Enough Was Enough: My Practical Response
You know that mental treadmill of replaying conversations or stressing about deadlines? I burned years there, exhausting myself on regret loops and imaginary problems that solved nothing. Finally, I tried something practical:
When a worry hit ("They hate me"), I’d ask: "Is this useful right now?"
If not, I’d say, "Not now" and refocus.
Persistent thoughts got scheduled into 10 minutes of daily "worry time."
The shift was immediate: Starved of attention, most thoughts lost their grip. I reclaimed mental space and energy.
Why This Matters
Overthinking isn’t just over-analyzing; it’s your mind creating the chaos it fears by spiralling into past/future scenarios. It steals our time, focus, and joy.
Disengaging isn’t mystical; it’s practical energy management for what actually matters.
A Liberating Shift
Peace isn’t about silencing your mind. It’s about changing your relationship with the noise. Think of thoughts as being like passing weather: some stormy weather (fears), some harmless.
The trap? Mistaking yourself for the storm. You’re the sky—unchanged by what drifts through.
You are the sky, not the weather
Here’s how I learned to let the clouds drift:
"Is This Fear or Fact?"
When a worrying thought barges in ("They hated my presentation!"), pause and ask: "Is this a feeling, or a verifiable truth?" Often, it’s fear in disguise. Naming it – "Ah, Catastrophe Story again" – drains its power.
The "Worry Window"
Giving worries free reign all day is exhausting. Book a strict 10-minute appointment: "Okay, Brain, 4 PM. Bring your list." By 4 PM, half of those thoughts will feel trivial. Containment stops the flood.
Let Thoughts Pass Like Clouds
Trying not to think about the pink elephant makes it stomp louder. Notice thoughts like clouds drifting by. Acknowledge ("Hmm, money worry"), but don’t unpack and live there. Stay kind to your soul. Breathe. Feel your feet on the floor now. This moment is real; the anxious story usually isn’t.
Small Actions Break Big Loops
Overthinking thrives in stagnation. The antidote? Tiny steps. Replaying a conversation? Send a lighthearted text now. Worried about work? Do one concrete task. Action disrupts rumination. Perfection isn’t the goal; forward motion is.
The Journey, Not the Destination
Do I still have racing thoughts? Absolutely. But now they don’t hijack my day. When an old worry pattern shows up, I notice it—"There’s that story again". Then, I consciously refocus either on what’s in front of me, or on taking one small step forward.
Inner peace isn’t the absence of thought; it’s the quiet confidence that you don’t have to believe or obey every single one. Every time you notice the spiral and step back, you strengthen your awareness.
You’re exactly where you need to be. Be patient. Every mindful breath is progress. You’ve got this.
At Inner Counsel Therapy, I help individuals to cultivate balanced, compassionate relationships with their goals and self-expectations. Together, we explore ways to embrace growth with kindness and authenticity. Book a free consultation and begin your journey back to yourself.
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