Spirals of Overthinking

Jul 8

Written By Viola Mae

Guiding Question:
Why can’t I stop thinking about it?

You’ve had the same thought
a hundred different ways.

You replay the moment.
You rehearse what you’ll say.
You chase the “right” outcome,
but the chase never ends.

It’s not obsession—
it’s a search for safety.

The mind keeps spinning
because the heart hasn’t been heard.
And sometimes,
thinking is easier than feeling.

Overthinking is often mistaken for control.
But it’s really a loop — a protection pattern.

When something feels unresolved or unsafe,
the mind may try to “solve” it endlessly
to avoid what it’s actually feeling underneath.

There’s no shame in spiraling.
It means you care.
But softness creates the exit.

What do I keep trying to solve in my head — and what feeling might be beneath it?
What am I afraid will happen if I stop thinking about this?
If the thought was a messenger, what would it be trying to tell me?

The Stop + Soften Practice
When you catch yourself spiraling,
pause and say:

“This thought is trying to protect me.”

Then shift your attention to your body.
Name 3 sensations.
Let yourself feel —
not fix.

This creates a bridge back to presence.

Overthinking doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It means something inside you is asking for care.
What if clarity comes not from solving — but softening?

Learning to Listen