Very nice strategies, Diamond-Michael. I see those highly-yang energies in my spouse, too, and in myself. I've spent the second half of my life unlearning those ways. Thank you for your guidance.
Deeply grateful for this. I have always had very little control over the external things in my life (disability, poverty, my environment) and, for a long time, I thought thinking was the answer - that was how I would reclaim my power, by thinking. There is a strong narrative in society that when life is tough, you 'win' by exerting your own will on things - by fighting. I definitely equated that with thinking more and more and more. I'm 43 and only just beginning to recognise how much damage this has done to me.
Yup, life has a way of showing us that we cannot force life through our thoughts. Glad you are finding ways to stay true to who you are and the unique peculiarities of your own journey.
“a desperate attempt to control life through the power of reason.” That resonates for me. Not because I have a PhD and was a professor for my career, but because of how the world is affecting me now that I am out of the academy. In the tower I had the safety of thoughts that people listened to. Now, I shout into the wind while the world burns and I can’t make sense of any of it. I do a lot of intentional breathing and saying “stop now” as my cancel button. Thanks for these insights
Somehow, overthinking became a badge of honor until it impacted my health. "Cancel" reminds me of an old Bob Newhart episode where he tells a new patient with numerous anxiety issues to simply say, "Stop It." The bit is hilarious and so true.
Each word in this essay was so delicious. I have found the same. The word I use is "Done!" The way I use is "I don't know." It feels good to put the burden down. Simplicity is again at the root of it all and there is magic in it.
I'm getting back into a more Taoist way of living. I appreciate your writing. The thinker no longer dominates as it did every nano second of my life. I have long periods of nothing. I am extremely relieved and content with my progress. Thank you.
Very nice strategies, Diamond-Michael. I see those highly-yang energies in my spouse, too, and in myself. I've spent the second half of my life unlearning those ways. Thank you for your guidance.
Deeply grateful for this. I have always had very little control over the external things in my life (disability, poverty, my environment) and, for a long time, I thought thinking was the answer - that was how I would reclaim my power, by thinking. There is a strong narrative in society that when life is tough, you 'win' by exerting your own will on things - by fighting. I definitely equated that with thinking more and more and more. I'm 43 and only just beginning to recognise how much damage this has done to me.
Yup, life has a way of showing us that we cannot force life through our thoughts. Glad you are finding ways to stay true to who you are and the unique peculiarities of your own journey.
“a desperate attempt to control life through the power of reason.” That resonates for me. Not because I have a PhD and was a professor for my career, but because of how the world is affecting me now that I am out of the academy. In the tower I had the safety of thoughts that people listened to. Now, I shout into the wind while the world burns and I can’t make sense of any of it. I do a lot of intentional breathing and saying “stop now” as my cancel button. Thanks for these insights
Somehow, overthinking became a badge of honor until it impacted my health. "Cancel" reminds me of an old Bob Newhart episode where he tells a new patient with numerous anxiety issues to simply say, "Stop It." The bit is hilarious and so true.
Yes, Paulette. Overthinking can definately take you down. Glad you are following a new path.
Each word in this essay was so delicious. I have found the same. The word I use is "Done!" The way I use is "I don't know." It feels good to put the burden down. Simplicity is again at the root of it all and there is magic in it.
Overthinking as a form of control, trying to make life as safe as possible, doing your due diligence .
As if we can control life lol
Due diligence
I'm getting back into a more Taoist way of living. I appreciate your writing. The thinker no longer dominates as it did every nano second of my life. I have long periods of nothing. I am extremely relieved and content with my progress. Thank you.