Dear Danny,
I understand that you might’ve felt like your world has collapsed multiple times by now, yet here I am. It has only felt like your world has come to an end because you have overthought it. I know that you can’t help yourself from thinking at moments but just know you’re addicted to the drug of overthinking. I am one of many recent examples of the consequences. Not too long ago my world collapsed once more.
It was over something simple. It’s going to sound crazy but it was over the simplest thing, talking to somebody. I was able to make the noises with my mouth but I felt as if I couldn’t use those words to express what I felt like I needed to express. The first day of summer bridge went as expected, nothing exciting but nothing necessarily bad. There were no issues except I didn’t talk to anybody. Not a big deal right? It really wasn’t a big deal but it was definitely something I could do better. Due to this I went home thinking about people who you might be interested in having as a friend. I thought of several people but only one stood out. Next day you talked a bit with her and you started seeing them as a friend.
The week flew by and you became friends. It was great to see that you stopped overthinking and just approached her. I followed the advice of a great friend who told you to simply just talk, and get it over with. Short term benefits of making a friend but as the next week started you started to feel concerned about whether they truly know you or not. Were my actions authentic and driven by my personality or something else? I distanced myself and that’s the end of the story.
Similar to turtles resurfacing for air the impacts of overthinking may not resurface shortly, they definitely will in the long run. Maybe if I didn’t overthink we would have kept a possibly great friend. It’s too late to think about the possibilities in the past. I am also sure that it’s too late to convince you not to overthink. It’s in your nature anyways, instead focus on the future, move on, don’t focus on it too much. Again easier said than done. I just want you to not worry about it. Don’t let it turn into your personality. This letter isn’t meant to be a warning, it’s just a suggestion, even then I understand that this letter might make you think more about the future but take it from a survivor of your worries just close your eyes and drive. Even then the consequences are going to hold you just like gravity holds.
Finally when you catch yourself overthinking just do it. At the end of the day what others think of you doesn’t affect you unless you let it affect you. Simply you must grow accustomed to these things and you’ll do just fine. I am also not one to talk as I also fall into overthinking but as long as you do more then you think you’ll be going on the right path. Once again this is not a warning, it’s just a suggestion.
Daniel Rivera – Saint Ignatius College Prep – DMSF Class of 2029
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