Blog post 12: Underthinking: The Most Underrated Skill
I’ve been thinking about overthinking lately. The irony is not lost on me.
If you’re anything like me, you overthink things.
Perhaps you overthink everything.
You sweat the small stuff and the big stuff.
The small stuff such as what you’ll make for dinner or which brand of cereal to buy for the kids. And big stuff such as your career or buying a car.
Overthinking is defined as thinking about something too much or for too long.
Thinking is great, don’t get me wrong. It’s overthinking that ironically gets us stuck.
Overthinking is analysing a situation, thinking about something over and over again.
Usually we overthink when we are thinking something negative - either that has happened or we are worried will happen.
If you’re thinking about something that’s already happened, you analyse the situation, the people involved, what they are thinking. You ruminate in your head about everything that happened, that shou’dve happened, that you wish happened.
Sometimes we overthink about what might happen in the future. We create all these stories and fantasies of all the bad things that could happen.
Our mind is overthinking and orchestrating something that hasn’t even happened yet (and likely won’t happen in the way you’re overthinking about it). Nothing has gone wrong! Yet our mind is racing.
Overthinking is so mentally draining and time consuming.
Your amazing mind can be put to MUCH better use.
I’ve realised that I overthink when I am feeling self-doubt - either about how I handled or will handle a situation, or about my abilities.
Overthinking for me is also intrinsically linked to perfectionism.
Just noticing and becoming aware of this connection has been very powerful for me.
Overthinking doesn’t serve me.
Thinking is great, but when it starts getting into ruminating, worrying and delaying decision making, then it becomes overthinking.
Boy have I done A LOT of overthinking in my life!
My neural pathways are very good at overthinking.
I realised that I needed to develop the skill of underthinking to strengthen that neural pathway.
The results I’ve had from developing the skill of underthinking has been a game changer.
Here are 4 strategies I have used that have helped me develop the skill of underthinking:
Accept I cannot change the past
Byron Katie says that “when you argue with reality you lose, but only 100% of the time”.
We can’t change the past. What has happened has happened.
I can only change how I think about the past.
What I make it mean for me now, in this moment.
Going back into the past and overanalysing and overthinking about it is pointless. I can’t change any of it!
I can’t change what has already happened.
I think about what I can learn about the past situation and move forward.
2. Tap into your intuition
Underthinking isn't about ignoring important decisions or acting recklessly. It's about tapping into your intuition, that gut feeling that often holds profound insights.
One question I love to ask my brain when I am overthinking is “if I already knew the answer, what would it be?”
Intuition is your mind's way of processing information and experiences quickly, distilling them into a simple, instinctual response. By allowing yourself to underthink, you're actually giving your intuition a chance to guide you.
3. Make decisions efficiently and effectively
Overthinking leads to decision paralysis.
A decision is made in a moment. Overthinking about a decision is what takes time. It is also incredibly draining on your energy.
Gather the information you need and then make the decision AND have your own back that you made the best decision with the information you had in that moment.
4. Balance rationality with intuition
Underthinking doesn't mean ignoring rational thought. It's about finding a balance between rationality and intuition. It's recognising that often, the simplest solution is the best one.
There's a certain wisdom in simplicity that shouldn't be underestimated. Underthinking, when approached mindfully, can be a great skill that brings clarity, efficiency and a lightness in life.
Underthinking has also helped me be more creative in solving problems.
One question I love to ask myself when I’m doing something new or when I’m aware that I’m overthinking is this: “how can I make this fun and easy?”
Developing the skill of underthinking has surprisingly helped reduce my stress and anxiety as it stops me from dwelling on every possible outcome and hypothetical scenario. This has significantly lightened my mental load and I feel a much greater sense of peace and contentment with myself and my life.
So, the next time you find your mind is racing in endless analysis and overthinking, use one of these strategies to develop the skill of underthinking.
Your mind might just thank you for giving it a break from the constant running and for the clarity and peace it brings!
Love Loren x
