More To That

The Delicate Balance of Human Thought

Self-reflection is useful, but it can easily slip into rumination and worry

Illustrations: More To That

If a loved one described you as someone who “thinks a lot,” how would that make you feel? Would you interpret the comment as a compliment? Would you feel somewhat proud of being designated as a ponderer of the world?

Or would you feel slightly insulted? Would you worry that you have a tendency to overthink things instead of defaulting to action?

How we feel about being labeled someone who “thinks a lot” is reflective of our ongoing relationship with thought.

For example, when I was growing up, I often found myself wondering about why things were the way they were. But when I communicated my random musings to my mom, she would say that thinking too much wasn’t a productive use of my time.