over thinking...

LegacyUser

i'm 21 going on 22, and i think i have a problem.

this may come across as scattered thoughts as i'm just writing down the first thing that pops into my head on the subject.

ever since i hit my mid-to-late teens i noticed that i overthink every single situation or thought in my head.

for example i could be on a bus and notice one of the yellow 'h' signs that are on footpaths, when i see this i think of the actual manufacturing process of this, like how the steel was made/processed who done this, what happened next was it sent to a painter, what was his input to the manufacture etc. all the way up to who stuck it there on the road.

another example and not so freakish example would be in college i don't remember my timetable by saying "oh it's monday and i just had X subject, now it's time for Y subject". i think back through the pevious weeks and think ok someone walked into class with an apple, then i remember what class i went to next.

this can be both a blessing and a curse, i can remember the tiniest details about things/people etc.

but it is also a curse when it comes to relationships and socialising. i'm 21 and only had my first relationship last year (met her at a friends 21st party) it lasted about 4 weeks which only got us seeing each other for like 5 days. since i tend to overthink things i don't say a lot and leads me to be more quiet and then that makes me think that the girl is thinking than i don't like her or i'm stuck up or something when the opposite was the case. this also happens when i'm in groups it's like there's a little voice in my head that won't let me say anything until i think of all the outcomes to what i'm thinking but by the time i'm finished processing my thoughts on the topic being discussed a new topic is being discussed.

i don't know really what i'm expecting from posting this in PI, really i just thought it might be good to get it out in the open.

How Strange

over thinker, I think you're over thinking your over thinking

Seriously, I think most people do this. About remembering your timetable that's memory by association and is probably how most people remember things. So you were quiet around the girl, its probably a sign that you are an introspective type of guy - a girl will either like you for it or not but that's who you are. Similarly, analysing what we say beforehand is normal. Otherwise we would open our mouths and all sorts of crap would fall out.

Honestly, I'd say chillax abit and stop analysing everything.

Aurora Borealis

I analyse, therefore I am...

Total over thinker too. Can be total head wreck and am seriously trying to just take things at face value anymore. It's not all bad though and does have its merits as you suggest, remembering things easily etc but also in terms of being thoughtful with regards to others as you often preempt others needs etc.

Some are thinkers, some are not..

Apples and oranges really.

Teddi

ok...

this kind of over thinking isnt that bad mate, really. If you the kind of person that over thinks in relation to relationships/women/ personal problems...well then I can see that being a problem (I have this and its horrible)

but thinking into how things came about, the process that they went through etc isnt a bad thing, it shows a certain level of intelligence in a person that alot of dim-minded people wouldnt even bother to consider so you should be proud of yourself for that.

There is a name for this type of thinking, I saw this being brought up on the discovery channel a while ago and its a beneficial thing to have but it is controlable, Thinking about things that matter and not random objects etc helps as this is where it would be most advantagious.

I wouldnt worry my friend, alot of people dont have this, but that is not neccessarily a bad thing.

teddi.

john_aero

ok 1st off youd make a great engineer.

second,

i do the same, a lot people do, only problme is if your like me you will also over think everything, such as relatioships and people your close too and it can be very dangerious and ruin relationships and friendships.

no harm in it what so ever, means you are reasoning and trying to figure everything out, means your brain is fully working. just try keep your head from over thinking emotional things. trust me it only makes life hard

other than that just use your thinking to good use, if you think something through then you will also finds it faults so you can make improvements and you it to your advantage in life

Crannog

2nd, you'd make a great engineer.

Everyone does this by the way. You are just naturally talented at it.

If you are wrecking your head too much though just connect to the other stuff that is going on. What are you feeling (what emotions are you feeling) and what is going on in your body (what body sensations are you aware of). Takes a little time to connect to the other stuff but you should be able to manage it ok, talented as you are.

Overheal

Could be worse... I used to think people could hear my thoughts god I was paranoid...

Dave!

yep I'm the same OP

Alanstrainor

john_aero wrote: »

ok 1st off youd make a great engineer.

+1 i was thinking the same thing as i read the OP's post.
And in answer to the OP i'm exactly the same, "over thinking" a lot of things, recently i've haven't been doing it as much. Just on a side note i am studying Engineering! So over thinking how things work is just what i do!

john_aero

i am an engineer and you have over think every simple aspect of things. some people even in your own company will think your bit mad but engineers all think a like, thats why there is so many jokes going around about engineers.