2 Questions to End Your Overthinking

Overthinking is a serious problem.

But oftentimes, we don’t really have much clarity on what we’re overthinking for.

So, let’s understand what overthinking really is and, later, the two practical questions to ask yourself the next time you catch yourself overthinking.

But before that,

The primary purpose of thinking is to solve a certain problem.

And our brain is excellent at solving one specific problem at a time—because of clarity.

It knows where it is. And it knows where it wants to go.

It is the process between a clearly defined current situation and a clearly defined desired outcome.

The clearer the two points are, the easier “problem-solving” will be.

Most people think it is an uncontrolled extension of thinking.

But actually, it is the opposite of thinking.

With the underlying factor being clarity.

It is the process between an unclear current situation and an unclear desired outcome.

The more foggy the two points are, the harder “problem-solving” will be.

Not to mention, overthinking is literally trying to solve multiple thought bubbles at the same time.

Okay, now let’s put the theory part aside and look at it practically.

And it starts with asking these two questions:

And,

And so, if you remember yourself overthinking in the past (or in the present), take a moment to pause and ask these questions in retrospect (or right now).

And probably, the answers that come to the surface would be extremely unclear.

These questions may look like textbook advice, but they can help you avoid overthinking in certain situations, if you’re paying attention.

And scientifically, when we cannot find a clear answer, the logical part of our brain can overtake the emotional part.

When we don’t have a clear answer, our brain naturally searches for evidence to make sense of the question it is asked.

Now, the brain—which used to spiral us around emotionally—literally helps us get away from overthinking through logic.

Of course, clarity isn’t always easy to find.

Sometimes, overthinking is our mind’s way of postponing a difficult truth or decision or an internal expression of fear.

And this post might not have solved those aspects.

But naming the fear, surrendering to truths, or being okay with uncertainty, can help bring clarity.

Emotional suffering is real—and it’s painful.

But, sometimes, when you’re not suffering or have healed from the past, it’s not a bad idea to reflect back, to understand the times when we were suffering before it’s necessary and more than necessary.

So that we can do better the next time.

You may not stop overthinking overnight.

But if you learn to pause and ask the right questions, you’ll suffer less and see more clearly.