The habit of thinking. I have this habit. And it’s not because that I write, I think a lot, but I usually am thinking of everyday things and experiences. Actually, all of us do have this habit. It’s just the degree of it that divides people into two segments- the thinkers and the care-free. And like almost every habit, it has its own pros and cons, but it cannot rather be pigeonholed as right or wrong, for it is individual. Some people can’t work without it (the thinkers), some try to keep it at an arm’s length (the carefree) and there are some like me, who are neither i.e. they don’t like thinking a lot, but can’t do without it too (I am not aware of any term for such folks).
Thoughts are stubborn; even if a string out of the whole mass of entangled thoughts creeps into your head, it follows you everywhere. It lingers and loiters at the back of the mind, no matter whatever you do. Sometimes it’s beneficial, for continuously thinking about something opens up various new aspects and it leads to better conclusions. But sometimes it makes things worse too. For example, suppose a person who feels healthy gets a COVID test done due to some miscellaneous reasons like travel restrictions. Surprisingly, he/she tests positive-an asymptomatic case. Now the person’s mind starts racing to thoughtful destinations like where he/she could have contacted the virus, the medication, the repercussions of the disease etc. It’s good to cogitate on the topic to get a strong hold over the situation and plan for the upcoming days but in extreme cases of contemplation, it can definitely take a toll on your head and health. In a nutshell, instead of fighting the deadly disease, we begin to foster the threatening thoughts.
Thus, I would suggest, separate and segregate your thoughts into the following categories: (a) will have a lasting impact (+ve, thus worth thinking), (b) will not have a lasting impact, and (c) it’s there today, will be there tomorrow, day-after, a week after, it will be there forever in the same avatar, these are especially thoughts of past events, so it’s worthless to waste your valuable time on them, just learn the lesson (very important) and move ahead. Always take into consideration the validity of your thoughts; if after a certain amount of time you can foresee their expiry, then act wisely.
The differentiating factor between the habit of thinking and other common habits is that you can’t get rid of it. But you can certainly manage it by ‘fight or flight’. Either face the troublesome thoughts to get to a conclusion or distract-take a break, do whatever allows you to divert your attention and break the chain of your irksome thoughts.
To end, my final words would be:
Challenge your vexing memories, conquer them and then be their supreme dictator!