We Talked About Overthinking

It's day 255 of documenting 2025.

Happy Friday! ☺️

A very late night post this time....cause I'm typing by 9:19pm.

Something this blog has taught me is that you just have to show up, even if it's only once.

I have to publish once....so the streak is still alive 🔥 

So, this evening I decided to have a chat with AI about a topic most people overlook...even me.

We don't even notice when we're doing it.

What's the topic...or thing?

I'll tell you after today's highlights.

365 Days With Self-discipline 

📌 On Self-Image

"You always behave consistently with the picture that you hold of yourself on the inside."

Quote by Brian Tracy

Your self-image directly affects your self-discipline and virtually everything else in your life.

If you think of yourself as a lazy person, how likely is it that you will engage in productive behaviors? 

The picture that you hold of yourself on the inside won’t match your intended actions. 

Whenever people feel their actions

aren’t congruent with themselves, they stop engaging in them.

On the other hand, if you think that (deep down) you’re productive, you’ll feel good when you manifest that in the real world. 

At the same time, whenever you catch yourself being lazy, you’ll feel that it clashes with your personality and subsequently, do whatever you can to avoid it.

Negative self-image keeps you away from making a change, while positive self-image creates a virtuous cycle. 

Whenever you’re setting new goals, start with your self-image. What do you think of yourself in relation to the goal you want to pursue?

What if, instead of calling yourself a failure in business, you’d call yourself a person with many experiences to draw from?

What if, instead of thinking of yourself as a person with weak self-control, you’d call yourself a person deeply motivated to build self-discipline

Change your opinion about yourself and it will be easier to stick to actions that would otherwise feel unnatural and clash with who you think you are, deep down.

That's a great way to put it 😌

In fact, there's nothing else to add to this...

We'll just move to the chat.

And we talked about overthinking.

Here's how it went:

Me: What exactly is overthinking?

ChatGPT: Overthinking is when your mind gets stuck looping through thoughts; analyzing, predicting, or worrying...without reaching a decision or finding peace. 

It often feels like you're solving a problem, but really, you're just exhausting yourself mentally.

Me: How does it occur in the mind? What triggers it?

ChatGPT: It often starts with uncertainty or fear; like not knowing what will happen or being afraid of making the wrong choice. 

The brain tries to regain control by thinking through every possible outcome. 

But instead of clarity, it creates mental clutter. Triggers can be stress, low self-esteem, past regrets, or perfectionism.

Me: Does personality play a role in the rate at which a person over thinks?

ChatGPT: Yes, personality plays a big role. 

People who are more anxious, perfectionistic, or introspective tend to overthink more. 

Traits like neuroticism or high sensitivity can make the mind more prone to rumination and doubt.

Me: Why do you say people who are more introspective tend to overthink more?

Is it because they're often in their own head?

ChatGPT: Exactly. 

Introspective people naturally spend more time reflecting and analyzing. 

While this can lead to insight, it can also trap them in loops of doubt, “what-ifs,” and self-criticism; especially if they struggle with uncertainty or emotional regulation.

Me: But, at some point in life....everyone overthinks, right?

ChatGPT: Yes, absolutely. Overthinking is a common human response to stress, uncertainty, or big decisions. 

It’s part of how we try to feel in control; even if it doesn’t help.

Me: What happens when one overthinks about everything...like, constantly?

ChatGPT: Constant overthinking can lead to mental exhaustion, anxiety, indecision, and even physical symptoms like poor sleep or tension. 

The mind gets stuck in loops, replaying possibilities without resolution. Over time, it can affect confidence, mood, and even relationships.

Me: Wow 😲 

Like a sickness?

ChatGPT: Yes, it can feel like a mental sickness; quiet, invisible, but deeply draining. 

It hijacks peace, delays action, and feeds doubt. If unchecked, it can spiral into anxiety or depression. But it’s manageable with awareness and practice.

Me: So, is it correct to say that the cure for overthinking is awareness?

ChatGPT: Awareness is the first step. 

It helps you catch the spiral. 

But the real “cure” also involves replacing rumination with action, grounding yourself in the present, and challenging distorted thoughts.

Me: Okay....so action, grounding and challenging distorted thoughts.

Three steps, right?

ChatGPT: Exactly. 

Awareness leads to action, staying present, and questioning unhelpful thoughts. 

That’s the way out of overthinking.

Me: Thanks for helping me understand overthinking. 

How about a conclusion, poetry style? 

ChatGPT: Thoughts like rivers, wild and deep,  

Sometimes flood, disturb our sleep.  

But with calm mind and steady sight,  

We guide the stream back to the light.  

Awareness is the gentle art  

That frees the mind and heals the heart.

Awareness...the key to solving most problems involving how we think.

Most times, we just have to be aware of a particular truth that will make us think differently.

And the best place to find the truth is in God's Word...what will never change 😇

I'll end today's post on that note.

Thanks for reading 🎀 

You can read more posts on the main site, Documenting 2025

See you in the next post 💜