this post was submitted on 08 May 2026
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Mental Health
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A little bit of reverse psychology might help in breaking the cycle.
Instead of obsessing over the things you think you should do, give yourself a task that is simply to try and do absolutely nothing. For example, go to a park, sit on a bench and do nothing. Drive to a mildly interesting, quiet place. Just observe. Watch the people passing by, the ducks in the pond drifting aimlessly about. Note how the trees are moving in the wind...
Do not use your smartphone. Don't read or listen to music. No distractions. Whenever your mind goes back to unpleasant thoughts about what you "should" be doing, gently remind yourself that your only task right now is to do absolutely nothing. Just observe. You don't have to enjoy it, so don't stress yourself about it not being fun.
This can be very hard in the beginning. It might seem boring and pointless, and there will be a nagging feeling that you ought to do something instead. Let it go.
If you do this every day for at least an hour (ideally as long as possible), you'll get used to being just fine in that moment. You might notice that the world just goes on whether you do something or not, and that's fine. Your task is to sit here and do nothing. Take it seriously. It is important to remind yourself about that whenever the thoughts are bubbling up again. Let them go for the moment, it's not the right time. You have a job to do and that is... doing nothing.
After a few weeks (or months, in my case) you will become good at really doing nothing, and initial boredom gives way to genuine calm. And this will enable you to have an intrinsic motivation to do something again, on your own terms.
Turn yourself into a human being, not a human doing.
Or try meditating.
Honestly, this just sounds like a specific form of meditation to me. Letting go of obtrusive thoughts, focusing on the present, letting the mind go quiet.
Was about to mention that. For me it works quite well.
I can't speak for everyone else but this is making me feel like it's an overstimulation relief method, and (in some cases) it works because it helps get rid of the anxiety due to adhd/autism (either - I'm not an expert) reasons.