35 Funny Posts For People Who Tend To Overthink Every Single Moment Of Their Lives
Interview With ExpertIt’s the thing that you do right before an important meeting or after a first date. It’s also what you do in the shower. And it’s what’s stopping you from getting a good night’s sleep. That’s right, it’s overthinking! (Actually, should we write it as Overthinking? Or OVERTHINKING? Because it’s a really big problem, affecting not only yours truly, but millions of people across the globe. Oh, God, it’s going to be our downfall, isn’t it?! [Overthinks about overthinking.])
People on the internet are sharing witty but truthful posts related to overthinking and we’ve collected some of the very best. So scroll down to give your grey matter a bit of exercise and upvote the pics that you can relate to. We’d also love to hear all about your experiences with overthinking and how you keep it under control, so drop us a line or two in the comments below. Bored Panda reached out to Suzanne Degges-White, professor and chair in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at Northern Illinois University, to talk about overthinking. Scroll down for our full interview with the professor.
If you love thinking about overthinking, then when you’re done enjoying this awesome list, check out Bored Panda’s earlier articles about overthinking right here and here.
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Even if I was panicking, I'd never have the courage to admit that in class!
I think if I had said that all the kids in class would have started laughing! (cus they know that isn't the truth)
I once quit a job as a designer when a business manager insisted on peeking at my work over my shoulder (literally, I could hear her breathing) every day, for 15 minutes straight, while I was working - in spite of the fact that I told her several times it was making me uncomfortable. She said she just wanted to "check and make sure my creative process was in-line with the concept of the campaign". Way to kill the creative process.
Load More Replies...This is why I had to take my driving test 6 times... every time the examiner was there I just blacked out and couldn't do it anymore... Eventually even had to take calming medication to get it.
I can relate when my instructor is in the car anyone would think I could do formula 1 but when the examiner is in the car it's like I never had a lesson in my life!!
Load More Replies...My SO constantly comes in while I'm illustrating or drawing... I... just... can't! Too much of a perfectionist to have ANYONE view my non-completed work!!
I made a couple of mistakes at work then my manager made me run everything past him before I did anything. He then got me to share my screen so he could watch what I was doing (he worked in a different office) . I then started making more mistakes and second guessing what I was doing even if it was tasks I did successfully many times. In the end I had to leave because it got too stressful.
I'm an RN and I can sooooooo relate - add a nursing student, colleague or family member and it's a guarenteed sh*t show
When my husband and I were still together I would let him drive simply because I was so uncomfortable having him watch me drive. I'm a good driver by myself and even with people other than him in the car. Looking back on it, I think that was probably a sign. But yeah, I totally get how having an audience can get you stuck in your own head.
My husband makes fun of me when I'm mad but quiet. My hands will be moving a little like I'm fussing at somebody in my head. He's like "uh oh who's getting told off in your head right now?"
this is me all the time wishing id used a witty comeback id just thought of
hahahahahaha! This is so f*****g true i make assumptions of having ed or spa each night break that thought next bh having good sex and think same again in the night…
I always come up with the best comebacks a few hours later when it's too late!
According to professor Degges-White, "Most humans do tend to ruminate on the negative things in life. In fact, one research study indicated that we’d need to hear '5 good things' about ourselves to undo the emotional hold from a single 'negative thing' that happened.
"It’s called the negative bias effect," she added.
"Part of this comes from anxiety related to avoiding making the same mistake in the future, but the more we concentrate on the past error, the more ‘familiar' the error becomes and the more likely we might be to repeat it. Our brain goes where we train it to go."
I thought everyone would get weird gut feelings when thinking of major mishaps from when you were six years old...
No, apparently there is a special breed of humans that forget embarrassing moments. I would ask them how they do it, but then I remember when my teacher asked me to spell my name in CP (1st grade) and I couldn't. And I can't ask questions anymore.
Load More Replies...I'm convinced that this happens to everyone all the time. But try to think of it this way: How often do you think about an awkward thing a friend said to you 3 years ago? Seriously, think of a close friend or relative, then in 5 seconds, try to remember something awkward they said... Chances are, you won't remember anything, cause you already forgot. Which means there's every chance that people also already forgot whatever awkward thing you said, so you can relax. And if you do remember something, it just shows that everyone is awkward sometimes, it's not just you, so again, you can relax.
I can't begin to express the relief right now realizing that it isn't just me!!
I forget most of these moments, but still have moments where my brain randomly reminds me of something like its bullying me. usually when in bed at 3 in the morning when i can't sleep.
Every time especially after working retail and finding out they are always watching you as a thief 😬
The worst is when I have questions, and the employee was so nice and helpful, and I still don't buy 😭😱
Felt VERY awkward the other day going into a liquor store... Bacardi spiced was $29.95 - and I know a few blocks away it would be $20. Clerk looked at me all weird, but lady - 10 bucks is 10 bucks.
Totally reasonable to go 'Bloody hell that's expensive, I'll get it cheaper elsewhere' and leave.
Load More Replies...I just Say "do you have Any (something they Obviously don't have) ? No? Oh, Okay" then leave!
I used to do that too, but it was always the worse when you've already prepared for your section and the teacher says "we can skip that paragraph/page" then calls on you LOL
I am really high anxiety now unfortunately, but I just don't remember having it as a child. No child should have that kind of anxiety. I'm sorry
Or when you sat in a Circle and Told everyone about Yourself... Rehearse the whole Thing :)
I did that, but just to not follow everybody's else reading... And thinking about something else... Or not thinking at all... You know
Still do this in science when we have to read out of the textbook. Then the teacher ends going down the row in a different direction so I have to re-count! LOL!
Bored Panda wanted to know if overthinking things can lead to passiveness and inactivity, as well as if there's anything that we can do to stop it. Degges-White explained that "if you are too wrapped up in overthinking a situation you may absolutely miss an opportunity."
"When we devote all of our mental energy to going through every possible outcome of a decision, there’s a chance that we’re going to talk ourselves out of doing anything, due to the almost magnetic attraction fearful outcomes have with our brains."
"Some people are absolutely unable to make a decision, though, because they know—at some level, if not consciously—that by making a decision they have eliminated all other possible pathways. However, they might fail to realize that by _not_ making a decision, they have actually made a decision—and shut down all potential possible outcomes," the professor continued.
I need context as to why Steve Carrell is painted as some old military general.
Load More Replies...This HAS to be a modern painting of him, styled to look old. Probably by a fan. Give Boredpanda time and there'll probably be a whole series.
Always. And extra socks, just in case I have to wade through a river or something.
No i pack exactly one extra. You can almost always buy more underpants or wash them, if you end up s******g yourself twice a day while you're gone.
Always! Clearly the fear of not having clean underwear in all situations is something driven deep into our psyche.
I always bring an extra pair with me on the plane - just in case .... even two hour flights. Even though it's never happened. Ever.
I always fail those because of the leaking over the edges of the squares.
I always click the squares like that and never have a problem. You are actually a robot and you don't know, that's why you fail lol
Load More Replies...Existential Crisis Time! This week's topic iiiiiiiis... Am I a Robot?
Oh yes, recently I had to select all the traffic lights...but wasn't sure if they meant only the parts with the lights or even the poles they are attached to. It was the lights only.
IMO this method is just downright STUPID. I never get it right. NEVER
"To reduce overthinking, we need to train ourselves to trust our first impressions and instincts—and commit to a decision," professor Degges-White told us. "We need to recognize that the longer we ponder, the more confused we are likely to get. Thus, we should practice making the decision that feels right and learning from the new behavior. Creating new patterns in who we approach life isn’t always easy, but we can train ourselves to do things differently with practice."
Finally, Bored Panda wanted to find out if the younger generations tend to overthink more than people in the past. The professor said that "we have a lot more time to think than other generations—when people were super involved in the physical acts required in 'making a living'—when this meant rising early, physical labor all day, and no time for luxuries such as 'creative thought,' 'rumination,' or video game playing or mindless television watching. Life didn’t give space for a lot of overthinking—life was uncertain and you had to act quickly and instinctively, in many cases."
"Overthinking is probably part product of increased leisure time, advances in cognitive complexity, and the ridiculous array of choices that life now presents us. When you had to worry about protecting crops, livestock, feeding a family, and making do with what you had, you don’t have the time worry about the trivial things that modern man has the luxury of over."
I know someone like that, but I think we all feel it sometimes. Sad really
I've seriously had some major pain and grief from things like this, believing I'm the most hated person in my social circle, before realizing it's actually ME and not others who thinks bad things about myself.
The fact that I have never experienced this leads me to believe that I am the late person. My apologies.
"Oh my god. It's been only two minutes. If I text them they're gonna think I'm an anxious b***h" Every. time.
I walk into the gym sometimes and, if I can't see my trainer right away, I have to do a mental check - is this the right day, is this the right time.
Now that we’re all overthinking if we tend to overthink in our daily lives, it’s time to get our hands dirty and figure out what causes it, why it’s not the most helpful of things to do, and what we can do about it.
Licensed psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Huttman told My Domaine that overthinking means “constantly analyzing and anguishing over one’s thoughts” can trap us in a loop of “mentally rehearsing” our past or present decisions and actions. Huttman explained that overthinking can be caused by self-doubt, self-esteem issues, concern, traumatic experiences, or anxiety. Overthinking wastes our time, is unhealthy, and leads to analysis paralysis.
According to the psychologist, there are a few things that we can all do in our day-to-day lives to reduce anxiety and turn overthinking into regular plain old thinking. Huttman suggests practicing mindfulness by meditating. Those of you who are skeptical of mediation should know that it increases attention and reduces depressive symptoms. So it’s always worth giving a try and seeing for yourselves.
However, there are plenty of other ways you can reduce anxiety. Regular exercise, yoga, tai-chi, even breathing exercises can have a massive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. And because we’re all different, something that works for you might not be the best fit for someone else. That’s why it’s so important to try a variety of activities and see which ones give the best results. Just try not to overthink which course of action is the most efficient. Just do it.
My cat is not stupid but she never ever over thinks one thing. She has no trouble sleeping and she sleeps most of the day.
| That is how many times that cute little kitten gats rubbed! v_________________________________
That's not your fault, most places rush that part on purpose but that just rude in my opinion.
The clerks Job is to assist the customers you are no longer a customer after you get your change. He is just doing his job by moving to the next customer.
Load More Replies...Ugh yes! For me it's even worse when there's people in front of me and it's about to be my turn and I have to talk to the cashier. I get myself all ready to say hi that I really go overboard like I'm the one working there. I need help!
Please, give me a moment to get organized. I am more likely to lose something when rushed. Then I will return later to try to retrieve the item I lost. Taking more of your time than it you simply paused. Also, if I am bagging my own groceries because there isn't anyone there to do it for me, either help me finish it wait until I am done. Sending the next person's groceries down the belt so they end up mixing with mine, never ends well. Trust me.
I feel it! This person even overthought how to spell "customer"....Yikes!
This also happens in grocery stores while you are putting you change away and the cashier has already started putting through the next order.
When the waiter says enjoy your food and you say, "You too."
I don't do it as much as I used to. I am taking an anxiety medicine called Lexapro and it really works it takes six weeks and it changed me as far as worrying and constant thinking every moment of my life. It's really not funny what these people do though. It takes a lot of energy and it can wear you out. I still overthink though. We have to try to remember that we are not perfect.
I feel like this isn't overthinking, more a random thought. I do similar things a lot where I become curious about the most random scenarios. My co-worker gets so confused every time though.. <_<
I like the Thought Co (or is it thought catalog) site. one has a section called big questions. The most random things answered.
Load More Replies...me: die bug die! 2hrs later: I wonder whats going on with that bugs family like, what if his grandpa just died and then he just died but his family doesn't know yet?
Exactly at 2 meter distance, you look the person in the eyes, give a quick nod to greet the person, and just walk away. After you pass the person, contemplate about how weird you walked and head gesture was.
just don't. Put your headphones and hoodie on, look down at the ground or your phone. Bam.
I just don't, problem solved. As an aside, when walking down a street and someone is walking directly towards you, do we telepathically communicate which side of the pavement to choose? Or, I'm guessing we send out physical signals indicating which side we are going to pick? Sorry, I deleted previous comments because I did not write this well.
I've had 3 eye surgeries. One eye is farsighted. The other is nearsighted. When I'm tired or my eyes are strained, they do NOT work well together. I've had problems with eye contact since I was aware I had eyes. It is, hands down, the thing I am most self conscious about in a long list of things I am self conscious about.
I've worked with people with sight loss of varying degrees and my colleagues and I learned that other parts of the face are just as, if not more so, interesting. There's also a lot of people who look at mouths because of hearing difficulties. Far more than most people realise.
Load More Replies...Not sure whether you're being polite, or planning on murdering me later...
How long can I look at my watch? Can I pretend to be talking on the phone? Just keep staring at the floor? Maybe just half way smile and keep walking? Just nod my head and start humming?
And then your brain stops messing with you and lets you finally drift off to sleep... twenty minutes before your alarm goes off to wake you up for work.
Why can't I all the sudden think up winning Lotto numbers for the next day instead of this *$#!!
That's me. "Geez I'm exhausted..." Lays head on pillow. Brain: Let's go over every awkward moment of your life... "C**p."
Do you ever wonder if dogs feel like this? Like “OMG Rex, you dumb son of a b***h, I can’t believe you barked in that way when you saw Smokey at the park yesterday, it sounded so lame and now he probably thinks you suck and omg I hate my life”?
Very good point...i doubt they do. Babies and toddlers also don't mull over their bad choices..they just live in the moment. Perhaps we can all learn from them.
Load More Replies..."Regretting the past and fearing the future will kill you." Liza Minnelli.
One time in class I started coughing and I couldn't stop. Everyone immediately shuts up and stares at me. Including teacher. Worst moment of my life.
I was in class one time and it was a very strict teacher and we we’re doing a test and I had to cough but I tried so hard not to that’s my body was just shaking and I couldn’t stop. I mentioned it this year and a girl looked at me and said “oh yea I remember that” and my brain just panicked there like “do people always remember things? Do people remember how I dropped my color pencils that one time? Do they remember when I ran into a pole?”
Load More Replies...Last week I was getting my nails done, and started coughing. One hand of wet nails the other in the hands of the technician. I have no choice I'm 3ft away from them so I have to take my hand back to cover my mouth - then give them this hand back. Totally mortified.
I cover my mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing with the inside of my elbow. when tissues are not handy. Try that next time.
Load More Replies...I dated a guy who's sister was a nun. I met his super judgy parents for the first time on a visit to see said sister. There was a big fancy mass in a super echoey cathedral. I was sick. I literally blacked out and caused a small scene because I was trying so damn hard not to cough. And yes, I relive every detail. All. The. Time. The boyfriend thought it was funny. The mom, not so much. And me? I was obviously mortified.
It's ok. People cough in church all the time. Hope that helps.
Load More Replies...i always get a cough when were in the middle of a silent assembly at school. its so annoying
When your in the middle of a classical music concert and there's a break but at that moment you have to cough
This is even worse when you're in a wheelchair and need all the space to get past but someone is engrossed looking at something (cheese maybe) ... how many times is ok to say excuse me... after asking twice I feel like I'm being rude so I just sit there.... then the person says you should have asked me to move... arrgh!
If acceptable where you live, also try tapping on their upper arm/shoulder if you can reach and say: excuse me. It helps! Another thing. I posted this at another article with a similar example. When people are standing in front of what you want to get. And you just stand (well sit, but I say stand/walk anyway) there, waiting for them to move. You are timid, but if this happens, I suggest just ask the person if they want to hand it to you. Since I ended up in my wheelchair (12 years ago), I became less shy! Now I just ask if they want to hand me the product. Same when something is too high to reach, I look in the aisle or the aisle over for someone to ask if they want to get it for me. And well, I can tell you, 99,9-100%, people are happy to get you something you can't reach! I have never encountered someone who was annoyed at me asking. They are always happy to help! Even though you are shy/timid, try it out! Your life can change! After a few times it becomes normal :-).
Load More Replies...Nah. I just make it awkward for them. Hey, if you're gonna stand in front of the 2 whole choices in turkey bacon for five minutes, I'm going to be right behind you - silently staring.
I do this but when I'm asleep. I wake up worrying about random things.
I still haven't found mine. So I concluded that I was never born and all this 'reality' is just for practice to when I am actually born.
Load More Replies...My dad actually LOST mine AT HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE. Love my parents lol
How.. Why.. I have sooo many questions. Did you get it back??
Load More Replies...Did this with my passport recently. Suddenly woke up at 3 am and didn't know where it was. I knew where I thought it was. I absolutely had to get up and find it before I could go back to sleep.
In a text LMAO. I'm the same though. How about, "yes love" or "yes honey" or "yes I am. what's up," but jusst 'YES' = maybe angry lol
That at least made a little sense. But I say yes to lots of people thru texts and never seem to need to add anything extra to avoid sounding like I am angry
Load More Replies...Lol literally my friend who I had to talk out of trying to get my advice for dating. I have never been on a date since I just turned 16
You can skip the small talk in texts.
Load More Replies...Me:You are clearly underthinking my thoughts. Or maybe you are underthinking my overthinking. *Genius*
I can't stop myself from putting a space between the e and r.
That’s just plain common sense. Answer a scam call and your number will be placed on “positive” lists, resulting in more calls from unknown numbers from these scammers.
20 scam calls in one single day after I made the mistake of answering a number I did not recognize. Took over a week for them to stop.
Load More Replies...Too many spam calls. My motto is "if it's important, they will leave a voicemail."
Oh hell...I do reverse lookup all the time! Does that mean I overthink every thing? OH GOD! Now I'll have something else to think about when I go to bed...
Me, yesterday morning when a long distance call woke me early... Too many solicitors and scammers now-a-days. Got a credit card scammer call at 4am recently.
I always answer with something that sounds like I made the call "I'd like a 24 inch pizza with pineapple and bacon," and then end with something that sounds like I picked up the call "thank you for your order, have a nice day"
I have awful signal where I live and never once in 5 years have I contemplated going to a new network. It is bliss.
Oh damn, I've done that. Another thing is when someone asks you a question and you start typing, erase, type, erase and then just write "yeah", then feel like s**t cause the other person was expecting a long response... 😩
Or if ur typing a long response and they ask if ur still there and then you have to erase the long response, type "yes"and then rewrite the long response
Load More Replies...I’m a bad person. If I’m in a text argument and someone wants to know what they’ve done wrong I’ll type out a load of random letters for about a minute and then not send it and delete the draft.
Is that woman roasting a watermelon with a propane flame-thrower?? Forget the meme, I want to know the real story behind THIS picture...
Looks like Ross Smith's granny in one of her self defense videos
Load More Replies...I speak Spanish and English, took classes in Spanish most of elementary then in 7th grade after 3 years of only English classes when my named was called for roll call I said presente. 😳
You are going to lose a lot of sleep because of the "sadi" typo, aren't you?
You just keep thinking in your mind "what did they mean by sadi?" 10 years later "what did they mean by sadi
Load More Replies...I say "ow" a lot. Like a lot. Like if I'm holding something and it bumps into a wall but I'm perfectly fine? Ow. If I push a chair in and it hits the table too fast? Ow. If I drop something random? Ow.
Load More Replies...Yup. I'm one of those people that say sorry even when it's your fault not mine.
once i dropped my soft toys on the floor and apologised to them
The story of my life! My overactive imagination is always concocting ludicrous scenarios.
We all know someone else who puts his foot in his mouth in the wee, small hours.
Yeah, it'll be a pain in whatever part of your torso to the end of your days.
hoW does the sign kNOW me??? How do I knoW the sign?? Who do I know that could've told the sign that I overthink?? WHO CAN I NOT TRUUUUU---
Load More Replies...When it Says My Brain and Me... who is the Me? (now None of you will Sleep!)
Me: doesn't reply right away so I don't seem clingy Someone else: doesn't reply right away either Me: HELP THEY HATE ME
Knowing other people experience this is absolutely no help. My mind is still convinced that I'm the only one that experiences this and nothing anyone says will change that.
Am I the only one who overthought about commenting on this post
Sometimes i want to comment on som forum but then i think it will sound stupid or nobody will answer.I write a post and then delete it...I am so good at overthinking that my middle names should be "what if"
Knowing other people experience this is absolutely no help. My mind is still convinced that I'm the only one that experiences this and nothing anyone says will change that.
Am I the only one who overthought about commenting on this post
Sometimes i want to comment on som forum but then i think it will sound stupid or nobody will answer.I write a post and then delete it...I am so good at overthinking that my middle names should be "what if"
