Excessive rumination is often viewed as a weakness and a problem, but overthinkers also have particular strengths and qualities. To give just a few examples…
Many things that are actually positive can become problems if they get out of hand and slide into extremes – and this also applies to thinking. Overthinking doesn’t serve many people well, so most people who study overthinking focus on exploring the causes of rumination and identifying countermeasures. Which undoubtedly makes sense.
But: The fact that we can think too much doesn’t change the fact that thinking in itself is something positive and the ability to do so is a strength. And anyone who is an overthinker has this strength, and in a strong form.
Certainly thoughtful people must learn to moderate themselves and find a healthy balance for themselves. But while they do this, why should they convince themselves that what sets them apart is a weakness? Why shouldn’t they also notice the positive side effects of their thoughtfulness? After all, there are a lot of them. Here are a few examples.
6 things you do unconsciously when you’re an overthinker
1. You consider as many variables as possible before making decisions.
Overthinkers typically look at different perspectives and incorporate as many factors as possible into their decisions. Your intuition is usually one of several reasons that make you come to a certain decision. Many overthinkers sooner or later find themselves in a state of overwhelm in which they cannot make a decision, a so-called analysis-paralysis dilemma. But once they have had this experience a few times and learned from it, they often become more practiced and confident in their decision-making, until at some point they are equally smart, well-founded and confident.
2. You learn to understand yourself and your patterns.
Thoughtful people think a lot about almost everything – including themselves. They question themselves and their behavior and try to understand it in order to be able to adapt it to their ideas and ideals. In doing so, they get to know themselves extremely well. You learn to see your sore points as well as your strengths. And they recognize patterns in their behavior, thinking and feelings, for which they look for explanations and, if necessary, try to resolve them.
3. You are attentive and pay attention to details.
Since thoughtful people themselves usually act thoughtfully and value small details, they usually have a good eye for details and hear many quiet, subtle nuances that remain hidden to others. For this reason, they are often very empathetic and have a sense of how those around them feel. In addition, they usually recognize connections quickly, find weak points, and work efficiently and carefully.
4. You develop creative ideas and scenarios.
Whether it’s about decisions, projects or conflicts: Overthinkers are great at developing strategies and scenarios that help find solutions. They have a high level of creativity and a strong imagination, which they constantly train and expand.
5. You understand other people and form deep relationships.
Thoughtful people are usually good at taking other people’s perspectives and understanding their position in this way. Due to their high level of attentiveness and their interest in collecting as much information as possible and linking it together, they form a comprehensive picture of their fellow human beings, which they constantly refine and adapt. All of this allows overthinkers to relate to others and develop truly deep relationships.
6. You add depth and meaning to your experiences.
The fact that a lot happens in their heads does not prevent many thoughtful people from gaining experience, but on the contrary enables them to particularly savor and value their experiences. Overthinkers find meaning in their experiences because they engage with what has meaning to them and are therefore aware of it. In addition, thoughtful people process experiences particularly intensively, which means that they become more to them than just a moment that flashes by.
Conclusion
Anyone who has a tendency to overthink and suffers from it undoubtedly needs to work on and learn to control their own ruminations. But making the effort to find a healthy way to deal with this tendency is worth it, because if we know how to balance it and have made peace with it, thoughtfulness is not a weakness, but a real superpower.
Sources used: hackspirit.com, psychologytoday.com