Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

Waking up at 4 AM, the first thing that slips into my mind is, “Already?” It’s not a standalone thought but a quiet echo of whatever was swirling in my head before sleep. Our thoughts, I’ve come to realize, are never truly independent. They’re links in a chain, each one tethered to the actions, emotions, or moments that came before.

At my age, I’ve learned to tread lightly with overthinkingit can spiral into stress and health troubles. When I find myself caught in a mental tangle, I step away. A short break works wonders: a walk, a cup of tea, or some small, unrelated task to reset my heartbeat. Once calm, I return to the problem with a clearer mind.

Life’s challenges don’t always need to be tackled head-on. Sometimes, the best approach is a pausea moment to breathe and let the mind untangle itself.