Overthinking Is Not a Thinking Problem
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
-
Narrated by:
-
By:
Most advice for overthinking points you at the thoughts themselves. Journal them. Replace the negative ones with positive ones. Breathe. Meditate. Run. But what if the thoughts were never the problem?
Epictetus taught that it is not events that disturb us, but our judgements about them. Overthinking is not a volume problem. It is a judgement problem. Somewhere in the loop you added a meaning to something that was otherwise neutral, and that meaning is what keeps you awake.
In this episode I walk through phantasia, the Stoic science of impressions, and three ways to catch the judgement before it spirals: stripping back to the first impression, applying the dichotomy of control to your thoughts, and the rational observer technique.
Watch the video version: youtu.be/-Gwg4NDHkJQ
Free 7-Day Stoic Challenge: stoicchallenge.co
The Stoic Vault: stoicvault.com