In the hustle and bustle of life, I often fall into the usual habit of overthinking everything. I dissect, analyse, and create countless different stories, most of which never happen.
One thing I’ve learned though is that in those moments when I simply don’t have time to think, when I don’t do all the ‘what If’s’, that’s the time I’ve found clarity and an unexpected sense of just knowing what to do.
Take my cancer diagnosis, for example. It was a side swipe that no amount of thinking, worrying, or planning could have prepared me for. The moment I heard the news, my world stopped. Suddenly, the future I had planned seemed irrelevant. But in the whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty, I knew no matter what happened I would be ok.
Now when my oncologist asks me how I would respond to various treatment options. “If X was to happen, would you be willing to do Y?” My answer is simple: “If X happens, ask me again, and I’ll tell you.” This isn’t avoidance or sticking my head in the sand. It’s a belief that when the time comes, I’ll know what to do. It’s trusting in myself and knowing that there is something inside me that is always guiding me through life, even when my conscious mind is feeling overwhelmed with fear and doubt.
I’ve learnt the invaluable lesson of living in the present. It’s about not letting the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ cloud my judgment or steal my joy. It’s about understanding that sometimes, the best thing we can do is to trust the process, to believe in our inner strength, and to know that we are equipped to handle whatever comes our way.
In these moments we have an inner sat nav that guides us, it’s always more accurate than the endless stories our overthinking mind makes up.
My cancer journey is far from unique, but it has taught me a lot. It has shown me that in the face of the unknown, there’s a certain magic in being in the moment, in trusting that inner voice that whispers, “You’ve got this.”
So, if ever you find yourself spiralling into a sea of overthinking, remember that sometimes, the best course of action is to simply do nothing, to not think your way into or out of something.
Trust in your gut, in your innate wellbeing, and know that you instinctively have all the answers you need. After all, life has a way of unfolding exactly as it should, teaching us lessons we never knew we needed, and guiding us to a strength we never knew we had.
