What is going wrong in your life?
If someone asks me this question, I could make a list of so many things. Even if someone doesn't ask me, I am always ready with a never-ending list.
It's quite simple, right. Thinking about what is wrong with me, what is wrong with my best friend, what is wrong with my parents, what is wrong with this whole world!
Yes, you will find many things to complain about. A lot of things that can be improved.
Thinking about what is missing could exhaust you emotionally and mentally. Sometimes it feels like you don't have control over your thoughts. Everything leads you back to that one negative thing stuck in your mind.
Let's try asking a different question this time: What can you do about it?
If things aren't going well, what can be your contribution towards the solution? It's very easy to blame others and pinpoint things that are lacking, but what can you do about that?
Let's say you are feeling embarrassed. It could be something that you did today. Ask yourself: What can I do about it?
Maybe you could call your close friend and talk to them. Maybe they could help you realize that it's not a big deal. There are good chances that after the call you will feel a little better than you did before. Or maybe you could just cleanse your mind by going for a walk in the park. By being mindful during the journey and noticing the beauty you find.
Let's say you are complaining about how everyone is doing well in their careers and you don't seem to enjoy going to the office at all. "They all have a better life than me!" Yes, I have heard (and said) this a lot. But ask yourself: What can I do about it?
Hmm... maybe I could try to attend a few seminars to learn how to maintain work-life balance. If I'm completely clueless, maybe I should start small. Maybe I could look at my work from a different perspective. As in how many people I am helping and what am I contributing to my company and the world.
Asking this one question makes you think about the action steps you can take to solve the problem. Instead of overthinking for hours, asking this one question can snap you out of negativity and help you gain clarity about the situation.
So the next time you start overthinking, remind yourself that you have the power of how to react.
Simply ask yourself: What can I do about it?
About the Author
Vrunda Chauk is passionate about Positive Psychology. She is studying Positive Psychology at the International Institute of Positive Psychology (IIPP). She loves presenting Positive Psychology concepts in an interesting and fun way and is allergic to boredom. She likes to present research in a way people can understand and relate to. She feels productive when she creates something wonderful and loves to apply positive psychology principles at workplaces and help them achieve wellbeing and thrive.