TIMELESS REFLECTIONS BY ZOEY

Overthinking. It’s a word that gets tossed around a lot, usually with a negative connotation. People say, “Stop thinking so much,” as if it’s as easy as flipping a switch. But for me, overthinking is more than just a bad habit—it’s both a source of comfort and a cause of constant stress.

When I overthink, it’s like I’m trying to take control of the uncontrollable. I analyze every little detail, playing out scenarios in my head, convincing myself that by doing so, I’m prepared for anything life might throw at me. It’s my way of soothing the uncertainty that life often brings. Yet, this same habit leaves me lying awake at night, tangled in thoughts that won’t stop spinning. I create problems where none exist, and then work tirelessly to solve them, all in the confines of my mind.

What people don’t often understand is that overthinking isn’t something I can just turn off. It’s not like I can simply decide, “Okay, that’s enough thinking for today.” My thoughts overflow, turning into words I find myself muttering aloud—questions, reassurances, plans. I catch myself having full conversations with no one but myself, trying to make sense of the chaos in my head.

Nights are the hardest. When everything around me is quiet, my mind gets louder. I lie there, staring at the ceiling, going over every little detail of my day, planning for tomorrow, and trying to solve problems that I know, deep down, don’t even exist. It’s exhausting, but I can’t seem to stop.

I’m at a point where I realize that this cycle isn’t sustainable. I know I need to find a way to step back, to let go of this constant need to overthink. But knowing something and actually doing it are two very different things. And that’s the challenge I’m facing now.

In these quiet moments, I’ve learned to embrace the silence within; it speaks louder than the noise of the world. Overthinking often drowns out this silence, but I’m learning to listen for it, to find peace in it.

Over the years, I’ve come across various perspectives on overthinking—some rooted in psychology, like Freud’s view of it as a way of managing internal conflicts, and others more modern, like cognitive distortions described by Aaron Beck. They all make sense to a degree, but understanding why I overthink doesn’t necessarily make it easier to stop.

So here I am, at this crossroads, trying to figure out how to find balance. I know I need to make a change, to find a way to calm my mind, but it’s not easy. For now, I continue to wrestle with my thoughts, caught between the comfort they bring and the chaos they create. It’s a paradox, but it’s part of who I am. And maybe, just maybe, by understanding it better, I’ll find a way to move forward.