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How to Stop Thinking and Start Living

September 1, 2011 by Beth Buelow 34 Comments

 

I titled this post “How to Stop Thinking and Start Living” not because I had the answer, but because I was hoping you would.

See, I think too much. I live in my head – typical introvert, I think! 🙂

It’s so bad, I even coined a phrase – while on VACATION, for goodness sakes! – “double-think,” as in, “I need to double-think on that one a bit.”

Really!?

Often, thinking “too much” is actually to my benefit. It keeps me from making big goofs, makes me feel prepared, gives me a sense of control, of being thorough.

The downside: it keeps me from making big goofs. We learn from mistakes, don’t we? I have a friend who talks about “accelerating your rate of failure.” How can I fail, and fail fast, if I’m thinking too much? The faster I fail, the faster I’ll succeed.

And all of that feeling prepared, in control stuff? It’s really, well, all in my head. It’s a false sense of comfort. In reality, I can only think enough to be a reasonable, responsible, thoughtful person. Then other people are going to do what they do, and I can only count on my preparation to keep me grounded, not to have all the answers or to have control over the situation.

What happens when we live too much in our heads? We forget we exist below the neck. Our heart doesn’t speak as clearly. Our gut suffers from being ignored. Our hands remain idle. Our feet get stuck in the mud.

We stop feeling and experiencing life first-hand. Everything goes through the fine-mesh filter of our brains, and pragmatism prevails over passion.

A member of The Introvert Entrepreneur Facebook tribe shared, “Sometimes over-thinking can be a retreat FROM feeling, I find, and sometimes an escape from doing, because you have to own what you do and sometimes that’s scary.”

Another shared, “This morning, I’ve been thinking (ha!) that I spend so much time thinking, I neglect to simply FEEL.”

Well said, friends! As long as a thought is in our heads, we don’t have to take responsibility or feel something. It’s purely an intellectual exercise.

It’s the exposing that thought to the world that’s vulnerable. Scary. Risky. Exhilarating. Necessary!!!

One other tidbit of wisdom a Facebook friend wrote: “Sometimes, done is better than perfect.”

Perhaps that’s part of the answer… we have to let go of perfection and expectation, and embrace curiosity and vulnerability. Learn to laugh at ourselves. Accelerate our rate of failure so that we increase the chances of success.

Love and honor the thinker in you, TRUST YOURSELF, and don’t “double-think” to the point that you get stuck in the mud. You have tremendous gifts to give the world, and they will only come out if they are allowed to move from head to heart to hands.

Here’s to living a life of thoughtful action!!

Please share! Do you spend too much time in your head? What helps you to move from head to heart to hands? Share in the comments – but don’t think about it too much… just type!

Featured image borrowed from http://www.chrisauman.com/the-thinker-by-rodin/

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: inspiration, introvert, mindset, self-talk, trust

Comments

  1. Lisa P says

    September 1, 2011 at 9:37 am

    I am an introvert too who (obviously) loves to think and can get VERY caught up in my thinking. I've learned to trust that I can let the thoughts come in AND let them go. I've learned to not fight them and to trust that life and my inner knowing will naturally bring me the answer. I've learned to be OK with asking a question but not needing to have an answer. I also have to get my entire body moving (progressive meditation helps) in order to keep everything flowing. Of course, there are those days that I do love to just get lost in my thoughts!
    My recent post Are you looking for #DIRECTION in your life or making a #DECISION? If you would…

    Reply
    • BethBuelow says

      September 2, 2011 at 6:18 am

      "Lost in thought" – I forgot about that phrase – thanks for bringing it to the discussion. It's such a great way to encapsulate what happens. Thank you, Lisa P, for sharing your lessons. You are a wise woman 🙂
      My recent post How to Stop Thinking and Start Living

      Reply
  2. Amorita-sa says

    September 1, 2011 at 10:05 am

    Hi Beth, I am an introvert and I do think too much…I think so much that I think I've said the things that I thought to the person intended only to surprisingly realize that I did not…and I thought I was the only one like this… 🙂

    Reply
    • BethBuelow says

      September 2, 2011 at 6:16 am

      Ha, Amorita-sa! So true! I've done the same thing… had to ask "did I just think that or did I actually say it?!" The dialogue in our heads is so rich 🙂
      My recent post How to Stop Thinking and Start Living

      Reply
  3. Susan says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Excellent post — I think it's something we all struggle with. As you say, the triumph is to *recognize* the over-thinking and move toward doing. Not always easy, but definitely worth the effort.
    My recent post Yes, It’s Okay to Brag

    Reply
    • BethBuelow says

      September 2, 2011 at 6:14 am

      Thanks, Susan – as they say, admitting it is half the battle! It is worth the effort, and knowing that we're not alone in our double thinking is helpful – perhaps we can treat our selves with more compassion!
      My recent post How to Stop Thinking and Start Living

      Reply
  4. Wedding Favors says

    September 2, 2011 at 8:13 am

    I so love the post. really a cool one. I think I need this to get going and not just dream or think of things.

    Reply
    • BethBuelow says

      September 3, 2011 at 4:40 pm

      Thanks, Wedding Favors. You can do it! Trust that when you leap, wings will grow! 🙂
      My recent post How to Stop Thinking and Start Living

      Reply
  5. @ArdenClise says

    September 2, 2011 at 9:32 am

    Hey Beth, great post. Boy oh boy do I think. I overthink, over analyze to the point of driving myself crazy. And yes, it keeps me from feeling and doing at times. ____I like that you pointed out that it keeps us from failing and sometimes failing is necessary. Hadn't thought of that before, but you're right, every time I fail I learn from my mistakes.

    Reply
    • BethBuelow says

      September 3, 2011 at 4:39 pm

      Arden, we certainly can drive ourselves crazy! At least we have great accountability partners to help us get off the gerbil wheel… 😉
      My recent post How to Stop Thinking and Start Living

      Reply
  6. Darlene says

    September 2, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    Me over think something? I don't THINK so. LOL

    So enjoy reading your posts. Now, I think I have to do something spontaneous! Now!

    Reply
    • BethBuelow says

      September 3, 2011 at 4:37 pm

      Darlene, as the saying goes, do one thing each day that scares you… and for us, "scary" just might equal "spontaneous," LOL! Does for me sometimes! Thanks for commenting and sharing your commitment to action 🙂
      My recent post How to Stop Thinking and Start Living

      Reply
  7. Trelawney says

    September 4, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    Hi Beth,
    This is a great post! I especially love this line: "we have to let go of perfection and expectation, and embrace curiosity and vulnerability". I've always been a thinker, planner, and too often a worrier. I try to check in on my thinking. If I'm exploring ideas and setting great things in motion, it's positive thinking. If I'm stuck in a what-if circle or painting myself into a corner of inaction, then it's negative thinking. As long as my thinking is positive, it helps me explore my thoughts, feelings, and dreams – and lay the groundwork for action. Sometimes I get a friendly push from a friend when I've been in the positive thinking for too long. And, sometimes I get the itch to take action and give myself a push.

    I often find writing is the first step to get out of my head. Once I've written an idea down, I can play with it or refine it or cross it out or build on it. The idea has move into the tangible realm, and that helps me take the next steps.

    Good luck with your journey to find the right balance of thinking for you! 😉
    My recent post Rave reviews

    Reply
  8. Alistair_Miller says

    September 14, 2011 at 7:40 am

    I used to be terrible for over analysing, researching and preparing the ground for tasks, mainly because I was scared to do them. Whether it was fear of failure, or fair of being laughed at, spending lots of time thinking about doing something was a reason to procrastinate. It’s good to take time to prepare for what you’re about to do, just so long as you balance it with taking action and learning from what you’ve done.

    Reply
  9. LauLau81 says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Sometimes thinking too much can cause you to stop your self from making the right decision. Believe in your self and say whats on your mind.

    Reply
  10. LuanneSeaman says

    May 10, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    You know what the ironic thing is?  I read this post and then proceeded to research (aka finding more things to ruminate about) about analysis paralysis.  Time to get off the computer and start living.

    Reply
  11. Mc Van Lekalakala says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:40 am

    Ohh boy am i an over thinker and i have come to realize that it stops me from living life in the moment as it is.I literally wait for moments  to happen as i have thought of them in my mind.So basically am stuck

    Reply
  12. Robert AndJan Best says

    August 5, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    I wonder if there’s any connection between being an Introvert and OCD?

    Reply
  13. Lyndsay Gervais says

    August 5, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    Being an over-thinker can be such a hinderance.

    Reply
  14. Leena Prasad says

    August 5, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hmmm yes now I’m thinking again…

    Reply
  15. Saran Sabapathy says

    August 5, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    Paralysis by analysis syndrome..

    Reply
  16. Mary Clanton Harris says

    August 5, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Funny thing is – I was thinking something similar to this just today.

    Reply
  17. Pratikshya says

    August 6, 2014 at 8:40 am

    I too just keep on thinking… and yes when the thoughts overflow in the mind, there’s too much traffic to the heart, so i give way to writing- jotting down lines, prose and poetry, or just events.. and my thoughts, views, and all voices…. i find writing a good therapy.

    Reply
  18. Tracy McCullough says

    August 6, 2014 at 11:25 am

    Over-thinker and introvert here. It makes school & work much harder than it needs to be sometimes.

    Reply
  19. The Introvert Entrepreneur says

    August 6, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    🙂

    Reply
  20. The Introvert Entrepreneur says

    August 6, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    Robert AndJan Best, I don’t know… would have to research that one!

    Reply
  21. Shahrukh Javed says

    August 7, 2014 at 6:27 am

    And here I am (a fiercely proud introvert living in an environment full of extroverts) thinking that I do not think enough of what I am supposed to think and then start thinking again.

    Reply
  22. Andy Mort says

    August 8, 2014 at 1:07 am

    Haha yes. RE: the quote…I have been known to retrace my steps over the past 10 minutes to try and find a trigger point for whatever it was I was thinking. How many times have you been disappointed by realising that it was actually not very interesting or insightful if you manage to re-locate the thought!? 🙂

    Reply
  23. atlumschema says

    August 8, 2014 at 1:11 am

    Absolutely agree. It’s something that can really hinder my creative process. Jumping to early into analysis/editing prevents the true essence of the art space to flourish and be. When I overthink projects in the early stages I over-complicate them, confuse myself, and lead me to overwhelm and burnout. You’re right…feeling stuff can be scary!

    Reply
  24. Jacob Edward says

    August 8, 2014 at 9:14 am

    I really wish there was a quick and easy “unlike” button for things like this… There’s no such thing as thinking too much, if you think you’re thinking too much, you’re probably not doing it properly…

    Reply
    • Beth Buelow says

      August 9, 2014 at 11:30 pm

      Jacob, thanks for commenting. I respectfully disagree that “there’s no such thing as thinking too much.” And to say that if we think we’re overthinking, we’re “not doing it (thinking) properly” is a bit judgmental. Who decides what’s the proper way to think? I think that’s up to each individual to decide if his or her mental processing is productive or destructive.

      Reply
  25. _DBirkhead says

    March 1, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    What most people mean by “over-thinking” is ‘unproductive thinking’. Essentially spending far too much time thinking about things you do not or should not need to, to a point where it causes mental fatigue and presents possibilities most people wouldn’t worry about.
    If you don’t get it then you’re lucky. Unfortunately for many of us it’s a real issue. There is no need to be negative about someone discussing it. Simply don’t think about it, eh? 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Are You Suffering from Spock’s Brain Syndrome? | Writing and Wellness says:
    February 16, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    […] “The Introvert Entrepreneur” talks about the issue in a blog entitled, “How to Stop Thinking and Start Living.” […]

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  2. Introvert inaction: stop learning and start doing says:
    May 31, 2016 at 1:05 am

    […] the introvert’s art, it must be abandoned in order for their idea to see the light of day.  Beth Buelow wrote a post at The Introvert Entrepreneur back in 2011 lamenting the fact that she thinks too […]

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