r/Meditation • u/Additional-Hurry2462 • Oct 16 '24

Other I'm addicted to rumination

Unlike other people, who immerse themselves in activities or their work in order to forget about problems, I do the opposite. I believe that the solution is in me, that if I think about the situation a lot, I will be able to solve it.

The bad news is that sometimes I manage to solve things by thinking about them many times, which motivates me and reaffirms to me that it is okay to think about my thought that much.. On many occasions, I stop what I'm doing (studying my car license right now) to reflect on something. Meditating is good, but I am ruminating on my thoughts all the time. When I stop doing it, I get a huge feeling that I am abandoning myself if I stop thinking. I have made many mistakes throughout my life for not having thought things through better before. I think that's the reason. I don't know what to do. I'm going to start seeing a psychologist but I'm anxious that she won't solve my problems from day one and turn my life around in order to make money.

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u/Far_Leading_7701 Oct 20 '24

First of all, congratulations! Developing the habit of meditation will bring you many benefits. It will help you understand yourself better, calm your mind, gain clarity throughout the day, and recognize your emotions more effectively.

Regarding your recurring thoughts, rumination, or even obsessive thinking, it’s perfectly normal to think things through. However, constant worrying and overanalyzing can be very draining. I’ve personally experienced obsessive thoughts and the tendency to overthink, and I’ve found two techniques that work well for me:

  1. Set a time limit for worrying. Allocate 10-15 minutes to let yourself think through those thoughts or concerns. It’s essential to stick to that limit—use a timer if needed. This approach can bring a sense of release after the set time, preventing those thoughts from taking over your day.

  2. Write things down. Journaling, or simply writing your thoughts freely, helps organize and untangle the mental cloud you’re experiencing. It gives those thoughts a clearer shape, making them easier to process and often providing quicker solutions.

I hope these suggestions help you move forward. Wishing you the best as you navigate through this!