Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Non-Art of Over-Thinking

Don't ever over think anything. Like ever. It is like really really bad. Dangerous even. Thinking = good (thinking about going for a walk, thinking about applying for a new job, thinking about that really hot person you sat next to on the train). Over-thinking =  bad (thinking about getting kidnapped while on said walk, thinking about quitting your job with nothing else lined up, or imagining you proposing to said really hot person and having their babies...or whatever).

I hate hate hate when a conversation turns into me giving my honest opinion about something. Because, my honest opinion is just an over-thought stream of conscience. A shrink might call this "being a bit in one's head," but I prefer to look at it as being overly-sympathetic that there are like a million possibilities or answers to one question or problem or thing that exists in the world for no reason. Case in point:

1. Your commute. This might sound a bit inane, but for anyone living in a city large enough by which there are multiple ways to accomplish one's commute, don't debate it. Don't debate taking the bus versus the train, the avenues versus the highway, walking or biking. The answer is always: it doesn't matter. The difference in length of time may be ten minutes at most (and if it's more, enjoy the time alone!). Do what gets you there with the least amount of sweat (the literal kind, not the proverbial). And remember, wherever you're trying to get to is really not that important (and you probably don't even want to get there that badly anyways). Unless your best friend is about to give birth or you've been given the keys to The Chocolate Factory.

2. Milk and Eggs. No, seriously. If you think about milk and eggs for a millisecond, it's like "Oh yea, duh, those two things are totally yum." Milkshakes, omlettes, custards, quiche... But, if you reeeeeally think about what milk is and what eggs are (ok, don't make me spell it out), you'll be totally grossed out, and you'll never want to eat brie or meringue again (or, at least not for like an hour or so while your head wraps around the concept).

3. Dudes (you be all like "Well no durr!"). But let me elaborate: this includes all Facebook friendships, texts, letters, presents from Etsy, aloof nights, distant mornings, intense smooches, introduction to parents, references to future children, drinking too much, getting along with their friends, not getting along with your friends, first dates, trips to Europe, rides home in silence, dinners alone, late nights, last goodbyes and everything in between. It's hokey and overdone and I know I've never taken my own advice, but they're human, as are you (at least most days). And humans, by nature, are good and bad. We're simply complicated (see what I did there?), both boys and girls. Embrace Acceptance. Enjoy the good, but don't make it to mean something it's not. And find peace with the bad. Confusion and love make people behave in ways that even they can't explain. And remember, it's never really that bad. You're alive right? And you have access to the internet by which to read this. You're doing alright by my book.

No comments:

Post a Comment