Do; Don’t Stew
I am a ruminator. Over the years, I’ve realized that the antidote for ruminating is distraction. Therefore, in 2025, I promise myelf that when dark thoughts hit, I will take action. Take a nap. Take a bath. Take a walk. Watch TV. Clean the house. Whatever. The key is to give my brain something else to focus on.
James Clear agrees with me.
When you feel tense or frustrated or worried, it is difficult to think your way into feeling better. The more you think about the situation, the larger it becomes in your mind. Trying to think your way out of it often leads to a spiral of overthinking and rumination.
– James Clear 3-2-1 Newsletter
The first step is not to think something different, but to do something different. It doesn’t matter what. Stretch on the floor, go for a walk, work on a project. Get out of your mind and move your body.”
