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The One You Feed · June 16, 2026 · 58m

Why You're Addicted to Thinking (And What to Do Instead)

Alex Olshonsky explores compulsive thinking as a form of addiction rooted in avoiding difficult emotions. Drawing from his own recovery journey, he explains how overthinking hijacks attention, why the body holds the key to breaking the rumination cycle, and practical somatic practices that reconnect us with the present moment rather than endless mental loops.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Curious

Thinking as Addiction
Compulsive thinking functions as an addiction—a way to avoid difficult emotions and maintain control through mental activity rather than facing what the body feels.

Editorial

The body holds information about emotions that the mind is trying to avoid; reconnecting with somatic sensation is more effective than trying to think your way out of overthinking.
You have agency over where you direct attention, even if you can't directly control thoughts; this agency is the leverage point for freedom from compulsive thinking.
Useful Thinking vs. Compulsive Rumination
Not all thinking is harmful; the distinction is whether thinking solves a problem or loops uselessly, draining energy without resolution.
Technology and information overload have engineered an environment that triggers and rewards compulsive thought patterns, making it harder to sustain presence or peace.

References

Overwhelm is OptionalAlex Olshonsky4-week email course on managing overwhelm through mindset shifts called 'Still Points'

Misc

Alex draws explicitly from addiction recovery work to reframe overthinking as a behavioral addiction
Somatic psychology and body awareness positioned as primary healing modality, not secondary to meditation
Mentions entheogens (psychedelic medicines) as part of his healing journey—broader context for consciousness work
The 'two wolves' metaphor appears to be central to his teaching on choice and agency
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