Letting Go of Overthinking

Sometimes when something is troubling me or I don’t understand why people do the things they do, I have a hard time not overthinking the issue. Thinking about a problem or situation can keep me awake at night and cause me to fill my mind with nothing else. 

This wouldn’t be so troublesome, except often these things I am spending so much time on are completely out of my control. Recently I went through a huge disappointment. The time and energy I spent on this issue kept me from accomplishing more important things. 

This habit of mine wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t keep me from doing productive things. I think it goes as far as keeping me from noticing opportunities that could lead to something great. I know you would like an example. Let me think of one.

I spent several months trying to groom my dog myself. I worried about having the right equipment and that I knew the correct procedures. I spent hours on YouTube This exercise came after trying to find a professional groomer to take my Quincy as a client. I made several calls and was told that they had no room for another dog. There was always an excuse that sounded reasonable. This still didn’t solve my problem. I left messages at several groomers that were never returned. I asked friends who had dogs that I knew used professional groomers. They had no more luck than I had. 

Finally, I called the daughter of our Breeder to ask her if she would groom my dog. She knew Quincy well because she owned Quincy’s sister Chloe. She said she’d be happy to help. The only snag was that she lives in Indiana. My niece offered to drive with me on the 7-hour round trip. It turned out to be great. Michelle and I enjoyed our drive and LeeAnn did a wonderful job with Quincy.

This sounds like a happy ending so you’d think I could let go of my frustration with our local groomers. I still find myself thinking about this situation and feeling there must be something positive I could do about it. 

I am an expert at making mountains out of molehills. By the time I plan and fuss the project could be done 10 times over. I find painting projects daunting. I am challenged by yard work and gardening takes more planning and procrastinating than I like to admit to. 

I also get my feelings hurt easily and tend to chew on these incidents for much longer than necessary. I find myself not doing things that I would like to see done because I have a hard time figuring out where to start. 

Letting go of my habit of overthinking everything at this time in my life would open up space in my brain and my time to accomplish projects that I have been refusing to start. I do believe that starting, then thinking might be the best way for me to go. 

Have something you want me to do? Let me think about it.

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