Coping

Just overthinking all the time can be a struggle with all your thoughts running through your mind all the time, it makes me feel sick physically in the stomach, I try to distract myself with certain activities to do which helps sometimes, but on the bad days, I will keep thinking while doing work and it is really hard to focus.

Thanks 🙂

Hey @DramaQueen 

I definitely relate to overthinking everything! I know it can get really exhausting and frustrating to feel like you're going over things in your head that you can't control or change anyway and losing sleep whilst doing it. 

I'm proud of you for reaching out to find some techniques and I'm glad to hear that you've found something that's working for you. I personally try to do some deep breathing and do a quick three minute meditation where I listen to a guided meditation on an app. I feel like that's helped me personally because it forces me to concentrate on the present moment rather than the past. 

Hope you're doing well ❤️

Hey @ayrc_1904

Thank you for replying, I started listening to low-fi hip hop music when I am feeling quite overwhelmed by thoughts and I started to write them down too and turn off social media and not talk to anyone for a couple of hours, but instead to focus on myself and well being. I find it really hard to do that since I haven't been able to in the past and I feel stronger as a person being able to now. I am proud of myself for how far I have come in life, especially with so many struggles. I am only human unless I am an alien from another planet for all I know. I will be honest I am enjoying talking to everyone on Reach Out. I find it quite comforting for myself to know there are others out there who can relate to going through similar struggles.

I will step outside for a little bit too, by getting some fresh air and taking a step back from everything.

I feel like I am doing alright for now, but still, there is always something going on.

Thanks 💯

Hey @DramaQueen 

I loved reading your post because it makes me so happy to hear that you are already implementing techniques that work for you and even happier to hear that you feel proud of yourself for doing so. Lo-fi music calms me down too sometimes!

I'm glad you're doing alright, but I did want to check in if you wanted to share anything that's been going on for you since you said there was always something going on. 

If not, that's completely fine of course. Just want to make sure you're ok. Hope you're having a good weekend. 🥰

Hey @DramaQueen , that's so cool - what kind of low-fi hip hop artists are you into?

It sounds like you're being really proactive when it comes to trying different strategies to look after your wellbeing, and it's great to hear that you're proud of yourself and recognising just how far you've come. I'm also glad to hear that you're enjoying talking to people on RO - we are always here if you need us 🥰

Hey @Portia_RO 

I like to listen to this mostly when feeling not myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qap5aO4i9A&ab_channel=LofiGirl

I try to keep myself busy as much as I can because it makes me more tired meaning I can get a better night's rest. It is so great to know I have support from you guys I appreciate it truly. It's funny how much you don't realise how different you become when you start looking after yourself properly and you end up changing so much from your behaviour to your attitude and how you deal with certain things in life.

thanks DramaQueen 😜🥰😍

Hey @DramaQueen 😊

Thank you for sharing! I am a major overthinker so I definitely know how you feel, I totally understand how frustrating it is when you can't just get your mind to chill out for a bit.

Is there anything in particular you find yourself overthinking about?

I like to keep a diary/notepad next to my bed, so if I'm having a night (which is most nights!) where I'm finding it hard to get my mind to switch off, it helps me to write it down and get it all out of my head. I find that once I've written it down, it's much easier to make sense of and be more logical about things I'm feeling. Do you think that's something that could help you a bit?

What is it you find difficult about separating work from your personal life?

Looking forward to your reply ❤️

Hey @Iona-RO 🙃

I find my mind just starts thinking about the things I've said in a conversation whether it was the right thing to say or wrong. It is also the same when I decide to do something, do it and then regret it straight after. It is extremely infuriating on my part as it is in the past and I cannot change what I chose to do. Just my mind keeps going back all the time especially when I'm sitting down and not doing anything having time to think about my own thoughts. Today I wrote down all the things I was feeling and thinking about and shut off social media for a little and did my own thing, which did help and I might continue doing that since it is a positive strategy for myself. I find when I am working I tend to get distracted with my phone checking every 5 minutes for messages waiting on replies from people. It's such a bad habit in which I am trying to break. But still.

Thanks 🤪

Hi @DramaQueen 

Aw, it sounds like you're mind is stuck in the past a lot, which is something I think a lot of people can relate to. Sometimes, when people find that their mind is stuck in the past a lot, or find themselves overthinking about certain things, it can be useful for them to practice being in the present moment, or practice focusing on the present moment (this is essentially mindfulness). Have you ever tried this? If not, would you be open to it? If yes, I could offer you some suggestions/places to start.

It sounds like you've identified a helpful strategy for yourself... which is shutting off from social media for a little bit, noticing your own thoughts and feelings, and doing your own thing. A big part of managing distress is about finding strategies that work for you, which it sounds like you are in the process of doing, which is really good.

We are on this journey with you!