Buzz
We often fall into the trap of overanalyzing social situations. Maybe it's a job interview where you think you failed. Perhaps it’s an awkward moment with a friend. No matter the case, writing about it can help you break free from the cycle of overthinking.
Writing offers numerous mental health benefits. This particular exercise is even more effective because it allows you to distance yourself from the situation and view it from an objective lens.
Vincent Nguyen, writer at Self Stairway, shares this insight:
Avoid focusing on your emotions when writing. Instead, try to approach it from an objective standpoint. For instance, instead of writing, 'I’m so frustrated because I know they were mocking me!', you could write, 'Some people were laughing. I’m unsure if it was directed at me.' This approach allows you to step back and evaluate the situation more rationally. Plus, it helps you see how exaggerated the thought is—that someone is mocking you just because they laughed. People laugh frequently, and it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with you.
Writing can be incredibly therapeutic, so even if you still feel like the situation revolves around you, putting your thoughts on paper can help you release them and move forward.
For those prone to overthinking, we have several other strategies that may help. Be sure to check them out here.
Also, take a look at the rest of Nguyen’s article via the link below.
Photo by annazuc.
