I know that 1+1 =2. It is a simple equation, balanced, and, in most cases, it is all I need to know at any given time.

Unless I am working with fractions or some project that requires dividing things up, I do not need to think about the fact that ½ + ½ + ½ + ½ also equals 2.  Nor is it important to remember that 2 is an even number or that it is the smallest and only even prime number.

What else do I know about the number 2? It is the number following 1 and preceding 3. The number 2 has religious and spiritual significance in many cultures because it forms the basis of duality. Two is the atomic number for helium on the periodic table of elements. Two has two homophones: ‘to’ and another one ‘too’. Good things come in pairs (sets of 2). It takes two to tango. And, two symbolizes balance, think yin and yang.

Do I have enough information about the number 2 or do I need more?

A bit of overthinking! Whereas I might need to know a few of these facts in tandem for a particular project, I do not need to think or know about them all.

This past week, I found myself overthinking everything especially my creative work. I do not know about you, but when I overthink, it leads to two problems – worry and doubt.

First to enter is worry via ‘what if’ equations. What if it does not work? What if it is too early? What if I did not choose the right variables? What if I am wrong? What if they do not believe me? What if I am crazy to think this is possible? What if they dislike like my work?

Second to enter is doubt via the ‘negative’ equations. ‘I really cannot do this.’ ‘I do not have the expertise for this project.’ ‘I am an unknown entity.’ ‘I do not have enough experience.’ ‘Why did I ever say I could do this?’ ‘I must be crazy.’

All this worry, doubt, and overthinking led me to the following equation:

(-7) Worried What If’s + (-6) Negative Doubts + 3² Unknown variables = (1) Unbalanced Equation

‘Uh oh,’ I groaned inwardly. Overthinking has generated way too much negative thought and too little positive action.  I need a new equation. Hmm, how do I balance an unbalanced equation? 

To make a long process simple, and calling upon my long-term memories from math and chemistry class (albeit quite a while ago), I knew that each side of the equation must have the same number of elements. So, let’s go back to 1+1=2, that, as I stated above, is a balanced equation.

My new equation looked like this:

(1) Positive Thought + (1) Positive Thought = A Positive Pair (2) 

OR

(1) ‘What if’ Possibility Thought + (1) ‘I Can’ Positive Thought = What if! And I Can! (2)

Lo and behold, when I tried out the new equation, my creative work became much more manageable and a whole lot more fun! I did not mind starting again because the outcome was much better the second time around. Now I need to figure out what triggered the overthinking process in the first place, but that is another story and thought process.

Anyway, please remember that this ‘simplified equation’ does not excuse me (or us) from the occasional necessity of creative or deep thinking about life and various projects. Sometimes things are complicated and involve a lot of thinking.

My advice to help avoid overthinking? Be aware. Think when and how you need to, simplify when you can, and turn the negatives into positives as much as possible. The simplest things are often the best, and for what it is worth, use 1+1=2 equation; start with a positive thing, add another positive thing, and now you have a positive pair (2).  Repeat as needed for best effect.    

For today, that is my two cents worth of wisdom!

Good day!

Melinda Grohol

4/1/2023