Are you stuck replaying conversations over and over again? Do you find yourself dissecting and analysing every moment or thought?
It could be what you said, how you said it, what someone meant by that facial expression, what they thought of that joke you made, why you made a comment. It can be a long and drawn-out cycle of over-analysis which leads to feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, and guilt.
This is known as Rumination.
You’re more likely to ruminate when you are uncertain about a situation. Here are three main reasons why you might ruminate and analyse your conversations or interactions:
- Seeking Closure: As humans, we have a desire to seek resolution and understanding. When a situation has us feeling unsettled, we look to the details of that encounter to find the answers and closure.
- Avoiding Social Rejection: We are biologically wired to want to belong, and seek social approval. When we are anxious about how others perceive us, we use rumination to look for our faults and any signs we may be negatively judged.
- Seeking Control: When we feel anxious or out of place, we often seek an anchor to help us feel more in control. Rumination and over analysis can help provide this, and we believe if we just keep going over it, we’ll get it right.
These desires however, often have negative repercussions.
When seeking closure, you might find more questions than answers, becoming too focused on the details to see the bigger picture. This leaves you feeling stuck, perpetuating the cycle of Rumination. It can also spill over into other social interactions, making you feel uncertain about your social standing and causing you to dissect conversations in real time. This hypervigilance distracts you from the actual conversation, preventing genuine engagement. By focusing on the past, you can’t move forward; instead, it pulls you further away from positive, authentic interactions.
It’s clear that this cycle of Rumination is a tough one to break. And at its core, it’s trying to protect you. However in the long run, it’s making things harder for you. There are a few things you can do to break this cycle.
4 Ways to Break the Cycle of Rumination
1. Recognise and Challenge Negative Thinking Patterns
When you look at your thought patterns, it’s common to see themes such as catastrophising, mind reading, and overgeneralisation. When you recognise these patterns, you can challenge them by looking for evidence and coming up with a balanced view of the situation.
2. Practice Self-Compassion
The need to fit-in and be liked is universal and biological, but so is making mistakes and not always saying the right thing. Being kinder and fairer to yourself can reduce guilt and anxiety that comes along with navigating uncertain social situations.
3. Increase Your Confidence
Begin by challenging yourself to take on small tasks outside your comfort zone, such as asking the barista how their day is, having a conversation with a stranger, or doing a presentation. Showing yourself that you can handle challenging social situations is a great way to build your confidence and resilience.
4. Focus on What You Can Control
Social interactions are inherently difficult because they involve other people, and are unpredictable. Letting go, engaging in mindfulness or breath work, non-judgmental reflection, and meditation can allow you to observe your thoughts and feelings without analysis. Focusing on what you can control drives positive action so you feel more grounded in uncertain situations.
Rumination and analysing social interactions can be a normal and healthy practice. However, it can easily become overwhelming and feel like you are stuck in a loop of replaying every moment of your day.
If you find yourself trapped in this cycle of Rumination, take a step back, recognise the patterns, and use these strategies to regain control. Embrace the present moment and engage authentically in your interactions.
If you are feeling trapped in the endless cycle of Rumination and it’s beginning to affect your mental capacity, or your daily functioning, I recommend talking a psychologist. As a psychologist, I can offer you support, tools and direction to help you understand your thoughts, the reasons behind you relaying them in your mind over and over, and strategies to move past these thoughts to a calmer place.
Written by Psychologist Paris Gibson – www.creatingchange.net.au
Psychology support in the Hills District, Western Sydney & Surrounds (including Rouse Hill, Bella Vista, Glenwood, Castle Hill, Kellyville, The Hawkesbury, Penrith Nepean, Blacktown, Epping, Ryde, Pennant Hills areas and surrounds)
