When Our Thinking Is Our Prison: Two Psychologists’ Interpretations – Fitness and Well-being

Our thinking has a direct impact on our daily life and performance. If we think about it, it is almost impossible – in addition to being unhealthy – to have direct control over our thinking. However, it is often common for some of us to become preoccupied with our thoughts and end up getting involved in them in a way that not only allows us mental clarity but creates confusion and disruption to our daily lives.

This happens, for example, when before we act we spend a lot of time ruminating on all the consequences that can come from our actions or words. And all of a sudden, we’ve had a conversation with a significant other or a job interview a few times, and yet we don’t seem really ready to have that conversation, we’re putting off this conversation in a row. In these circumstances – as in many others – we seem to be trapped in our thoughts without being able to free ourselves, everything becomes more difficult when we have a clear idea that this prison prevents us from acting or making an infinite number of things happen .

So, some of the signs that should make us pay attention to the blockage that may occur in the sequence of our thoughts are:

• Comprehensive generosity on some topics – when not only thinking, but dissecting information and conducting an analysis of ideas to exhaustion.
• Systematically postponing tasks – When we spend a lot of time starting tasks because we are thinking about the best way to act or the consequences of those tasks.
• We take no chance – when to do anything, or make a decision – even if it is a simple decision – we need to analyze all points of view, consult different opinions, and even in this case we tend to prepare.

Deep down, we are hostages in our thinking when we cannot move from thinking to actions, expression, or decision making in a fluid and fluid way. And whenever our thinking becomes a prison, it is necessary to be aware of it in order to create the conditions for flexibility and to make our thinking clearer and more efficient.

Article by Katia Lobo and Sarah Almeida, clinical psychologists at school of feeling.