Does peace of mind even exist?

My Restless Mind

I don’t really know what peace of mind feels like. My mind is always analyzing everything. This can happen even in the simplest situations, like at the supermarket:

• How crowded will it be?
• Are all the items on my list in stock?
• What if the expiration date on fresh produce isn’t far enough in the future?

Brain in overdrive

I overanalyze situations very often. That constant weighing and analyzing of everyday situations creates a lot of uncertainty and takes a lot of energy. Even “just” going for coffee with friends or family or attending a birthday party becomes a challenge because of this. Many people don’t realize what a simple situation like a birthday party can do to me. For example, I’ll worry about:

• How crowded will it be?
• Will I be the first one there?
• Do I have to greet everyone right away?
• Will I be able to sit in my favorite spot?
• When I leave, do I say a general goodbye or go around to everyone?

No wonder I’m so tired after a visit like that.

Social situations take mental energy

It might sound unexpected, but I’m a social person. It feels weird to say that about myself, but it’s true. When I go running, for example, I like having people around me. And I really enjoy chatting with colleagues at the office. That trait, combined with a brain that analyzes everything, is tough. When I’ve been training with a group, I have to recover from it both physically and mentally. My mind then needs a little time to switch off. The outside world doesn’t see that in me.

Good planning helps create a sense of calm

In short, even fun things take a lot of energy out of me. So how do I deal with that? What helps me is planning everything carefully. If I know I have a busy week ahead, I need a “wind-down weekend” afterward—a weekend where I can just do something for myself and where there are no expectations from other people. That way, I can recharge. And I get some peace and quiet, at least for a little while.