One of the questions I'm often asked is, can too much self-awareness be a bad thing. I always answer by saying that when we get stuck in layers 1 and 2 of my self-awareness definition, i.e. reflection and recognition, then we slip in to rumination. And that's not great. if however, we can maintain the momentum into layer 3, regulation (of our behaviour) then that self-awareness has purpose and is constructive.
So, for me rumination is the practice of self-awareness that's got stuck!!
Really enjoyed reading this. As a massive over-thinker I always think (again!) that people will find me boring as I’m not that naturally light, effusive person. As an analyst by profession, I do understand that I would never be good at my job if I didn’t overthink. Loved the piece. Very insightful and well-written.
Honestly, this piece is the epitome of metacognition. Overthinking about overthinking… although I’m being presumptuous here, implying that this level of analysis is excessive. It’s probably not. Which makes me question, exactly how much thinking qualifies as overthinking? Anyway, a very thought-provoking piece! I enjoyed it greatly.
A very good point, dear Alexandra, where do we draw the line? How much is enough? It’s probably a very individual decision based on our past experience and level of confidence with the situation at hand but so hard to find a definite answer to this, I fully agree! Thank you so much for your kind comment 🤍.
A very good point, dear Alexandra, where do we draw the line? How much is enough? It’s probably a very individual decision based on our past experience and level of confidence with the situation at hand but so hard to find a definite answer to this, I fully agree! Thank you so much for your kind comment 🤍.
I would wager deep thinking is less prioritized now than it was -say - 50 years ago. I think people probably read more then (books), possibly discussed things and philosophies more, had more real conversations. Or maybe people still do, though I don't know of a lot of people who sit around having philosophical discussions--not like college years. I do find there are Latin and South American philosophers and intellectuals still and that was a real rush for me. I guess I'll blame it on the internet.
Absolutely, dear Jeanine! I’m sometimes so sad that we don’t have these times anymore where deep discussions are valued. I agree totally with what you said! 🤍 Thank you so much for taking the time!
"Not going to lie: I’ve always hated it when people, often strangers, said I shouldn’t overthink things so much. Ahem, I mean: What’s overthinking anyways? Is there actually a way to overthink?"
Yes! While balance is necessary, I'm sure UNDER-thinking has created way more problems for the world than overthinking. Also, why is overthinking a word but not underthinking?
Exactly, excellent point! I feel like sometimes the "accusation" of overthinking is really just used to control a person or situation. Thank you for this! 👏
An analytical and introspective essay that examines the concept of overthinking from multiple angles.
I tend to overthink things that interest me and less so on things I classify as less important.
The key is balance - let go of thoughts about things you can't change, but still think carefully when it's important. Don't overthink, but don't be ignorant either. You've done it again Katharina.
Such an insightful and thought provoking piece! I feel I fall into the deeply thinking and feeling category while also doing my best to think less and simply be. 😊 There are truly so many levels and nuances to explore here. Thank you so much for this thoughtful perspective 💖💖💖
I won’t lie, I feel like I’ve become smarter as I’ve begun to grant myself more space to not think and be more intuitive. Too much critical and abstract thinking can really jumble up the cognition of the mind, leading to an array of difficulties down the road.
I think the more experience and confidence with similar situations, the less deep thinking is required. I’m sure you have found and apply a very good balance! 🤍
Very interesting thoughts here, Katharina. I loved this exploration, does a good job showing the benefits of thinking, overthinking, and less thinking.
I think seriously about the things I care about, and I probably don't about those I don't. Whether I'm thinking, overthinking, or doing less probably depends on the subject.
I agree that it's a balance. Go too far and you become a boring pedant, but doing less is worse, for most things do require the sort of understanding that makes contemplation necessary.
As always very good points, dear Patrick! Also very true that the level of personal attachment/involvement in something plays a big role in how much we think. 🫶
Thinking - it can be soo useful and insightful and then it can also create so much anxiety that takes you down easily into the negative spiral.
For me a lot clicked after reading the Power of Now, which basically says that all your thoughts are either about the past or future, hence not the now.
I am an over-thinker who’s devoted to the daily practice of letting go, mainly because I’m also an empath, HSP, and Attorney. It’s a potent combination, that brings forth lots of feelings to work through.
I find that the more I work through those feelings somatically, through the body with meditation, yoga/fitness, and wordlessness/just being/less thinking, the more I can drop away from the negatives brought on by overthinking, and the faster I can return to a healthy level of focused thinking w. greater access to my creativity and bonus: no rumination!
I love a detailed story so I loved the thought you put into this. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Marisa! It’s so great to hear the perspectives of fellow empaths / HSPs and how you manage overthinking / rumination in your busy life through mindfulness. I also practice Yoga in my free time and it helps me a lot as well! Your comment made my day, thank you again 🤍🫶🤗!
I’ve never understood why I’m frequently told that I’m overthinking until now! This is a thought and thought-provoking essay, gratefully received by this HSP.
I love this!!
One of the questions I'm often asked is, can too much self-awareness be a bad thing. I always answer by saying that when we get stuck in layers 1 and 2 of my self-awareness definition, i.e. reflection and recognition, then we slip in to rumination. And that's not great. if however, we can maintain the momentum into layer 3, regulation (of our behaviour) then that self-awareness has purpose and is constructive.
So, for me rumination is the practice of self-awareness that's got stuck!!
Great piece!
Thank you so much, dear Nia! 🤍🫶
Really enjoyed reading this. As a massive over-thinker I always think (again!) that people will find me boring as I’m not that naturally light, effusive person. As an analyst by profession, I do understand that I would never be good at my job if I didn’t overthink. Loved the piece. Very insightful and well-written.
Thank you so much, dear Tory! 🙏
Honestly, this piece is the epitome of metacognition. Overthinking about overthinking… although I’m being presumptuous here, implying that this level of analysis is excessive. It’s probably not. Which makes me question, exactly how much thinking qualifies as overthinking? Anyway, a very thought-provoking piece! I enjoyed it greatly.
A very good point, dear Alexandra, where do we draw the line? How much is enough? It’s probably a very individual decision based on our past experience and level of confidence with the situation at hand but so hard to find a definite answer to this, I fully agree! Thank you so much for your kind comment 🤍.
A very good point, dear Alexandra, where do we draw the line? How much is enough? It’s probably a very individual decision based on our past experience and level of confidence with the situation at hand but so hard to find a definite answer to this, I fully agree! Thank you so much for your kind comment 🤍.
I would wager deep thinking is less prioritized now than it was -say - 50 years ago. I think people probably read more then (books), possibly discussed things and philosophies more, had more real conversations. Or maybe people still do, though I don't know of a lot of people who sit around having philosophical discussions--not like college years. I do find there are Latin and South American philosophers and intellectuals still and that was a real rush for me. I guess I'll blame it on the internet.
Absolutely, dear Jeanine! I’m sometimes so sad that we don’t have these times anymore where deep discussions are valued. I agree totally with what you said! 🤍 Thank you so much for taking the time!
My pleasure!
"Not going to lie: I’ve always hated it when people, often strangers, said I shouldn’t overthink things so much. Ahem, I mean: What’s overthinking anyways? Is there actually a way to overthink?"
Yes! While balance is necessary, I'm sure UNDER-thinking has created way more problems for the world than overthinking. Also, why is overthinking a word but not underthinking?
Exactly, excellent point! I feel like sometimes the "accusation" of overthinking is really just used to control a person or situation. Thank you for this! 👏
Really appreciate your positive words about overthinking. Thanks for sharing
An analytical and introspective essay that examines the concept of overthinking from multiple angles.
I tend to overthink things that interest me and less so on things I classify as less important.
The key is balance - let go of thoughts about things you can't change, but still think carefully when it's important. Don't overthink, but don't be ignorant either. You've done it again Katharina.
Tinashe your comments are always so kind and uplifting - Thank you so much, you really made day! 🤗🫶 I really appreciate your perspective!
Oh how I know the analysis paralysis all too well. Trying to strike a balance. Not easy! Thank you for this.
🤍🫶🙏
Such an insightful and thought provoking piece! I feel I fall into the deeply thinking and feeling category while also doing my best to think less and simply be. 😊 There are truly so many levels and nuances to explore here. Thank you so much for this thoughtful perspective 💖💖💖
More than welcome, dear Catherine, so happy that you liked this article 🤗!
I won’t lie, I feel like I’ve become smarter as I’ve begun to grant myself more space to not think and be more intuitive. Too much critical and abstract thinking can really jumble up the cognition of the mind, leading to an array of difficulties down the road.
But maybe that’s my newfound stupidity speaking!
I think the more experience and confidence with similar situations, the less deep thinking is required. I’m sure you have found and apply a very good balance! 🤍
Very interesting thoughts here, Katharina. I loved this exploration, does a good job showing the benefits of thinking, overthinking, and less thinking.
I think seriously about the things I care about, and I probably don't about those I don't. Whether I'm thinking, overthinking, or doing less probably depends on the subject.
I agree that it's a balance. Go too far and you become a boring pedant, but doing less is worse, for most things do require the sort of understanding that makes contemplation necessary.
As always very good points, dear Patrick! Also very true that the level of personal attachment/involvement in something plays a big role in how much we think. 🫶
Thinking - it can be soo useful and insightful and then it can also create so much anxiety that takes you down easily into the negative spiral.
For me a lot clicked after reading the Power of Now, which basically says that all your thoughts are either about the past or future, hence not the now.
Very true, dear Marie! I need to remind myself to be more present as well 😌.
I loved this nuance in your story!
I am an over-thinker who’s devoted to the daily practice of letting go, mainly because I’m also an empath, HSP, and Attorney. It’s a potent combination, that brings forth lots of feelings to work through.
I find that the more I work through those feelings somatically, through the body with meditation, yoga/fitness, and wordlessness/just being/less thinking, the more I can drop away from the negatives brought on by overthinking, and the faster I can return to a healthy level of focused thinking w. greater access to my creativity and bonus: no rumination!
I love a detailed story so I loved the thought you put into this. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Marisa! It’s so great to hear the perspectives of fellow empaths / HSPs and how you manage overthinking / rumination in your busy life through mindfulness. I also practice Yoga in my free time and it helps me a lot as well! Your comment made my day, thank you again 🤍🫶🤗!
So good! Thank you!
To find that balance there is a true accomplishment!!
Thank you so much, dear An K.!!! 🫶🤍🤗
🫶🌸🤗
I enjoyed this, im am overthinker and this made so much sense to me and am gonna try and use a couple methods listed above and see how things turn out
Thanks for posting such an informative article
So happy that it resonated with you, Ray! 🤍🫶
I’ve never understood why I’m frequently told that I’m overthinking until now! This is a thought and thought-provoking essay, gratefully received by this HSP.
Aw, thank you so much! 🤍🫶