I had an epiphany the other day while I was driving home. That morning I was in a mood where I was enjoying my favorite music. The joy of these songs invaded my soul and I didn’t want to keep it to myself. I wanted the euphoria that dwelled in me to be transferred to others.
I just had recently signed up with the popular all Tik Tok. It’s the only app I know of where I can play songs I like while promoting myself. The problem that I have is that I create in many genres and I have a flood of ideas each day. So many I don’t know what to pick. So many days I end my days frustrated without getting anything done.
This time was different. As soon as I walked in my door I didn’t hesitate. I went in my music room and created my first Tik Tok video in just one take. I left no room for daydreaming about it because I just did it. I almost feel like I tricked my brain. After I completed the video I was kind of shocked that I did it.
As a creative person, I thrive in spontaneity so it’s strange to me that my ideas get lost in imagination purgatory. After this victory in getting it done I wanted to come up with a list to help overthinkers take action. I didn’t want to beat you over the head with saying you’re a procrastinator so here’s a list that can help.
1.) Write the vision
When you write the ideas in your head down you’ve officially started the process of action. It takes energy and time to write things down. When I started my 5-day exercise regiment I wrote down in advance the days of the week. I would check off each day when I completed a workout. I felt accomplished and proud of myself when I look at the paper. Writing goals and ideas down does something that I cannot explain but if you’re reading this and you write your goals and dreams down you know exactly what I mean. You set yourself up for success. Remember writing is an action that gets your thoughts moving. Write the vision, make it plain, and then run with it.
2.) Focus and discipline
At the beginning of each day, distractions are lined up to divert you from your daily goals and life in general. Social media is a wonderful tool but you have to be mindful that however long you’re on it you taking in so many other people’s thoughts, dreams, and complaints. Scrolling all day is like logging into other people’s daydreams. Make you save some mental space for the ideas you want to share with the world. Focus on doing one project. Complete. Then do another. An overthinker’s mind can be like a helium balloon. Discipline is tying that balloon down and getting a task done. When the job is done the balloon can be released into the atmosphere to be free and creative again.
3.) Do spontaneous rough drafts
As a personal poster child of this topic that I’m writing about I love when I just jump in and take action. If I didn’t I would just stay stuck in dreamy with my head in the clouds mode. You eventually need to land back on earth and get anchored in a task. I listen to a podcast weekly that I enjoy called stock music licensing and the host said a quote that stuck with me. I’m paraphrasing. I remember in an episode he talked about creators always looking for inspiration. Well, he said he finds his inspiration while doing the work. The work is the inspiration. What an awesome concept huh? You can get lost in your thoughts or you can get lost in the work. Just start. Create your chaos and give order to it after the project is created. That way it can escape your mind into the physical world. You hoard enough in that crowded brain of yours.
4.) Physical organization will make you feel more mentally organized
My environment really is a reflection of my mind. Whenever my workspace is cluttered and messy my creativity reflects that. There’s something so therapeutic about cleaning and putting everything in order. I can take a whole day just organizing all of the unfinished projects on my computer. This article I’m writing right now was an unfinished rough draft that I came back to. Take pride in the space that you write, play music, craft, draw, or whatever you do. Creative people that are all over the place need that balance for things to flow the right way. This is a good and productive distraction for a deep thinker.
5.) A least once a week unplug from the machine and connect to nature
Overthinkers can somehow can get stuck in overanalyzing and deep thought. You think of the past and think of the future so much you forget to appreciate the moment that you’re in. Being in deep thought so much you can miss out on so many of the simple moments of life. Being online scrolling all day may not be the best act for a wandering mind but take a long walk in nature in the morning and see where your mind wanders. I guarantee the downloads that you get from the birds, wild animals, the flowers, plants, the clouds, and the trees will put you in a different state of mind. Every Friday night I make sure I get a full night’s sleep so I wake up early and I take my Saturday morning walk. I feel rested, restored, and replenished. The end of every week is my personal reset. It’s an introspective and peaceful journey. Sometimes just taking a day off and watching your favorite movies or TV shows gives that overactive brain a break too. Yes, it’s an escape. Find the good ones. The bad ones are another article.
In summary three things that would help you if you’re an overthinker. Transfer that energy into something physical and productive.
Take a break from the past and the future and be in the moment.
Finally don’t take life and yourself so seriously all of the time. Breathe. Relax. Have fun.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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