How Do I Stop Monitoring Myself and Break Free from Overthinking?

How Do I Stop Monitoring Myself? Break Free from Overthinking

Understanding Why You Monitor Yourself
Honestly, I’ve been there. The constant self-monitoring, checking if I’m doing everything right, saying the right things, or just living up to some invisible standard—it’s exhausting. But the first step in stopping this habit is understanding why we do it in the first place. Self-monitoring can stem from various sources—maybe you're trying to avoid criticism, gain approval, or you’re stuck in perfectionism.

For me, it started when I was younger, always concerned about how others saw me. I constantly felt the need to “perform” for people, to be the perfect version of myself. Maybe you can relate to that feeling, where every action seems like a performance, and you're watching yourself closely, worried about making a mistake.

The Dangers of Constant Self-Monitoring
Mouais, at first, self-monitoring may seem harmless. You think you're just keeping yourself in check. But the truth is, it can spiral into a cycle of anxiety, self-doubt, and even depression. If you're constantly watching yourself, you’re not truly living in the moment—you’re stuck in your head.

1. Increased Anxiety
   I remember times when I’d be so focused on how others perceived me that I couldn't relax, even in casual situations. Every conversation felt like an exam. This constant pressure increases anxiety, making it harder to enjoy life and just be yourself.

2. Loss of Authenticity
   Honestly, when you monitor yourself too much, you can lose touch with who you actually are. It becomes about what you think people expect from you instead of what you actually want to do. You might end up saying yes to things you don’t want to do, or acting in ways that don’t align with your true self, just to avoid judgment.

Practical Steps to Stop Monitoring Yourself
Okay, I’m sure you’re asking, “How can I stop?” Well, the good news is that it’s possible to break free from this cycle. But it takes time, and it starts with being kind to yourself and changing the way you think.

1. Challenge Your Thoughts
   One of the first things I did when I realized how much I was self-monitoring was to start challenging my negative thoughts. When I caught myself thinking, “I shouldn’t say this; people will think I’m weird,” I would stop and ask, “Why does it matter if they do?” Over time, I learned to ignore that inner critic. Maybe you could try this next time those thoughts creep in—ask yourself why they’re there and whether they really serve you.

2. Focus on the Present Moment
   Honestly, one of the best ways to stop monitoring yourself is to practice mindfulness. When you focus on the present—what you’re doing, how you're feeling, and who you're with—you take the pressure off. The more I practice being in the moment, the less I find myself wondering if I'm "doing it right." When you're not thinking about your next move, you can finally be free to just be.

Changing Your Environment and Influences
Sometimes, you might need to look at your external environment to understand why you’re constantly monitoring yourself. Are the people around you supportive or critical? Do they make you feel like you’re always being judged? In my case, I had to let go of relationships that fueled my insecurities and surrounded myself with people who accepted me as I am.

1. Surround Yourself with Positive People
   I’ve realized that the people you spend the most time with can either help or hinder your progress. If you're around people who constantly criticize you or make you feel like you're never enough, you’re likely going to keep monitoring yourself. On the other hand, positive, supportive people can help you feel more relaxed and accepted.

2. Limit Social Media Consumption
   Social media can be a huge trigger for self-monitoring. When I used to scroll endlessly, I’d start comparing myself to others and feel like I wasn’t measuring up. Honestly, I had to take a break and realize that most of what’s shared online is not the full picture. If you want to stop self-monitoring, reducing your time on social media might be a good step.

Embrace Imperfection and Self-Acceptance
Actually, this is a big one. I’ve struggled with perfectionism, which was one of the main reasons I kept monitoring myself. I wanted to be perfect, to get everything right, all the time. But here’s the thing: perfection doesn’t exist. Embracing imperfection can help you stop monitoring yourself constantly.

1. Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes
   I’ve learned that mistakes are not only okay—they’re necessary for growth. Instead of beating myself up over every little mistake, I started viewing them as opportunities to learn. Next time you slip up, try not to judge yourself too harshly. You’re allowed to be imperfect.

2. Practice Self-Compassion
   Being kind to yourself is a game-changer. Instead of criticizing yourself for every misstep, try treating yourself as you would a friend. I know it sounds cheesy, but honestly, when I started practicing self-compassion, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. I began to understand that I don’t need to be perfect to be worthy of love and respect.

Final Thoughts: Letting Go of Self-Monitoring
Honestly, it’s not easy to stop monitoring yourself—it’s a habit that can take time to break. But if you start practicing mindfulness, challenging your negative thoughts, and surrounding yourself with positivity, you’ll find that it gets easier. Trust me, you’re more than enough just as you are, and you don’t need to keep checking if you’re doing everything right. Let go of the pressure, and start enjoying life on your own terms. You’ve got this!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.