My dad was a staunch believer in always giving 100 percent effort. His mantra played over and over in my head every time I wrote a test in school and every time I had to put any form of exertion into a task.
Somewhere along my journey through this life, that chant of success began to increase in volume and unwittingly seeped into every other aspect of my life. Sometimes it felt good and other times it felt more like punishment.
I began to take most things to a new level. And going overboard on simple achievements was just the beginning. Realizing I couldn’t attain perfection led me into a pattern of over-eating.
When the over-eating became much more noticeable, I began to over-analyze and over-think everything about the problem instead of just recognizing it for what it was and dealing with it head on.
Of all the things I do with the utmost intensity, over-thinking is the worst of them. I cannot seem to let what will be just be. My brain configures numerous scenarios, all with different outcomes, and will not stop when it should be satisfied. There is always another possibility. This is a fantastic gift to have when I am writing fiction but, when it comes to creating plot lines based on my reality, it is a detriment to normal productivity.
I expend a great effort each day to quell those thoughts. I could take an issue so benign and have it twisted into something so distorted from its original form that it becomes a gnarled version of what it once was and something so far removed from what it ever should be. If I could ever transfer these thoughts to pages of a novel, it would be quite the story.
For now, I will wait out the current situation that has me over-thinking. I will listen to those little voices as they churn out ending after ending but when I reach the point that I eventually find out what will really happen, the wait will be over.
polysyllabic profundities 
I agree. If my child gives her best effort and it wasn’t good enough, I can accept that. As for the overthinking aspect. I think that is the curse of all writers.
I just need to channel that curse into writing and ignore the other stuff!
Exactly. I have learned to stop overthinking about life, but not writing.
Over-thinking really cripples normal life. As you know, it’s one of my curses too. It seems I’m often better when there is something real to tackle, with practical solutions. But yes, the unknown and unpredictability of life is not good for us Over-Thinkers! I hope your situation resolves soon, I know it’s been around for a wee while now.
9 more days….but who’s counting. 😉
I overthink a great deal too, often when I wake up in the middle of the night and there’s nothing to distract me. Not fun. They say this is an introvert trait, but I imagine some extroverts can relate too.
The middle of the night is usually the worst for me as well.
At least there is awareness of your overthinking which allows you to recognize it for what it is.
Excellent point – thank you.
Sometimes I “underthink” situations and that can get me into trouble. I’d love to be able to find a happy medium. I hope your issues is resolved very soon, Susan xxx
Thank you, Dianne. My brain hopes so too! xxx
I’m generally accused of underthinking, so I can relate in my own kind of way… 😉 Bottom line, Susan: Your thoughts — for better or worse — are what make you uniquely you. Your viewpoint, reflections and wonderful perspectives all stem from your observant, analytical mind. It’s a blessing and a curse, I’m sure. But the words that come as a result of that combination are a gift.
Thank you for that, Ned. I appreciate that. 🙂