Ever found yourself staring at a blank canvas, an empty page, or a silent instrument, your mind buzzing with thoughts that seem to stifle rather than inspire?
You’re not alone. Creative block is often caused by the silent saboteur known as OVERTHINKING. It’s an issue most artists and entrepreneurs face. You have a great idea, worked it all out in your head and simply need to bring it to life. However, before it even has the chance to grow, your mind jumps into a cycle of second-guessing and endless self critique. It’s a cycle that blocks you from creating with a more open and explorative mindset and in the long term demotivates you from doing what you love most. That’s why breaking free from this cycle is essential. This is the reason why I wrote this article to help you understand and break free from this cycle yourself.
What exactly is overthinking?
Overthinking is the tendency to think about something too much, often to the point of distraction or obsession. It can be a problem for anyone, but it can be particularly challenging for creatives and entrepreneurs because it can interfere with their ability to generate ideas, make decisions, and take action. Creatives and entrepreneurs need to be able to think freely and creatively in order to come up with new ideas and solve problems. Overthinking can stifle creativity by making it difficult to focus on the present moment and allow new ideas to emerge. It can also lead to perfectionism (which we will discuss later) which can prevent you from taking risks and putting your work out into the world.
What are the signs of overthinking?
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s not uncommon for our minds to get stuck in a web of thoughts. For some, however, it becomes a daily battleground – a condition known as overthinking.
- Repetitive Thoughts:
Imagine a catchy yet irritating song playing on loop in your mind. Now, imagine that song is not a tune but a thought – a relentless replay of the same scenarios, conversations, and decisions. Overthinkers find themselves trapped in this never-ending cycle, unable to break free from the chains of their own minds.
- Excessive Analysis:
Every situation, no matter how big or small, becomes a subject of intense scrutiny for overthinkers. From choosing what to wear to interpreting a simple text message, the mind magnifies small issues, blowing them out of proportion. There’s a fine line between a thoughtful analysis and overanalysis, leaving people drowning in a sea of unnecessary details and worst-case scenario’s.
- Worrying About the Future
Overthinking turns the mind into a time-traveling machine. One minute you’re thinking about stuff from the past, and the next you’re hurtling forward to the future and make up countless “what if” scenarios. Whether it’s anticipating the outcome of a job interview or fretting about the consequences of a simple decision, overthinkers live in a constant state of future worry, robbing us of the present moment.
- Difficulty Making Decisions
Simple decisions, like what to have for lunch or what movie to watch, become monumental tasks for overthinkers. The pros and cons of each option are weighed with meticulous detail, creating a mental gridlock that hinders the decision-making process. This indecision can lead to missed opportunities and a sense of frustration.
- Self-Doubt:
Overthinking serves as a breeding ground for self-doubt. Anyone who is caught in this mental loop questions their own abilities, second-guessing every move they make. The fear of making the wrong decision and the anticipation of negative outcomes add to a downward spiral creatively. From personal experience, it’s especially difficult when everyone else constantly praises your work, but YOU of all people, are the one questioning your ability.
- Physical Symptoms
Overthinking isn’t confined to the realm of the mind; it manifests physically. The stress and tension generated by constant mental chatter can lead to headaches, muscle tension, and other stress-related symptoms. The mind-body connection becomes evident as overthinking takes a toll on your overall well-being.
- Sleep Issues
As the day comes to a close, overthinkers find little joy sleeping early. I experienced this myself for years on end. You make excuses and convince yourself that “you work better at night” or that “you’re more creative later in the day”. The daily circus around us can get very overwhelming, which is why the quiet of the night works like a medicine for the mind. It’s only years later that I realized, these excuses I kept convincing myself of, was me running away from the day. An exhausted mind simply cannot operate at the highest levels. So if you’ve already had a stressful day and decide to work late at night, just know you factually can’t operate at your best.
The cycle of overthinking at bedtime can result in disrupted sleep patterns, leaving individuals fatigued and groggy in the morning.
- Perfectionism
Striving for perfection becomes an all-consuming obsession for overthinkers. The fear of making mistakes paralyzes progress, as every action is meticulously scrutinized for potential flaws. This quest for perfection not only hinders productivity but also creates an unrealistic standard that adds to the burden of overthinking.
- Social Withdrawal
Overwhelmed by the constant mental chatter, overthinkers may find solace in isolation. The fear of scrutiny and judgment from others becomes a powerful motivator for withdrawal from social interactions. This social withdrawal can lead to feelings of loneliness and further exacerbate the overthinking cycle.
- Procrastination:
The inability to make decisions in a timely manner often translates into procrastination. Overthinkers get stuck in the planning phase, endlessly analyzing and reanalyzing, but struggle to take concrete action. This procrastination not only impedes progress but also contributes to a sense of frustration and unfulfillment.
Overthinking is a silent struggle that many individuals face, often without fully understanding its impact on their lives. Recognizing the signs of overthinking is the first step towards breaking free from its grasp. By understanding and addressing these subtle cues, individuals can reclaim control of their minds, fostering a healthier and more present approach to life.
How to overcome overthinking?
The most important aspect of solving your issues is understanding where it stems from. From the different signs described above write down the ones that apply to you. It might be a good idea to write it down, so you can process it logically rather than working it out in your mind.
