"How I Stopped Overthinking and Took Control of My Mind"

 Introduction:

Do you ever feel like your brain just won’t shut up? Like your thoughts are spinning in circles and you're mentally exhausted before doing anything at all?

That’s overthinking, and it used to control me. I couldn't study, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't even post something online without replaying “what if” scenarios in my mind.

But not anymore. This is my honest story of how I slowly but surely took control of overthinking—and how you can too.

1. Understanding the Root of Overthinking

Overthinking doesn’t mean you're weak. It means your brain is trying to solve problems that don't exist yet.

In my case:

• I was afraid of making mistakes

• I wanted everything to be perfect

• I didn’t trust myself enough

2. Signs You Might Be an Overthinker (I Was)

 You replay past conversations again and again
 You delay decisions out of fear
 You create imaginary scenarios
 You ask, “What if?” 50 times a day
 You mentally exhaust yourself before even starting

Recognize any of these? You're not alone.

3. What Helped Me Stop Overthinking

I didn’t heal overnight. But I took small steps every day. Here’s what worked:

 A. Journaling My Thoughts

Writing everything I was thinking helped empty my mind.
Even just 5 minutes a day cleared the fog.
Prompt I used: “What’s bothering me right now?”

 B. The “3-Question” Rule

Before overanalyzing, I ask:

• Is this true?

• Can I control it?

• Will it matter in 1 week?

If all three are “No”, I let it go.

 C. Physical Movement

I started doing light exercise every day—even walking 15 minutes in the morning.
Why? Because you can't solve mental clutter with just mental tools. Your body needs to move too.

 D. Limiting Social Media Input

Social media fuels comparison, which fuels overthinking.
I unfollowed toxic pages and followed real, peaceful ones.
Even changed my wallpaper to: “Pause. Breathe. Be present.”

 E. Meditation (No, Not What You Think)

I’m not a monk. I just sit in silence for 5 minutes.
I focus on my breath.
I say: “I am here. I am safe. I am calm.”
It works. Every. Single. Time.

4. How I Handle Overthinking in Public or While Studying

• I name it: “Oh, that’s overthinking again.”

• I change environment: move rooms, go outside

• I use the 5–4–3–2–1 Grounding technique:

• 5 things I see

• 4 things I feel

• 3 things I hear

• 2 things I smell

• 1 thing I taste

5. What Changed After I Took Control

 I started my blog
 I spoke up in class without shaking
 I slept deeper than ever
 I felt light, like my mind wasn’t trapping me
 I stopped asking people to approve my decision

6. My Message to You

Overthinking is not a personality; it's a habit.
And habits can be changed.
You're not broken. You're just overloaded.

Start small:

• Write

• Move

• Breathe

• Stop feeding your brain garbage

You’ll thank yourself later.

Final Thought:

Life isn't about having the perfect answer. It's about taking one small action every time your brain tries to stop you.

Don't let thoughts trap you.
Free yourself—one deep breath at a time.