I couldn't come up with the right word for the subject line, but I think people will understand what I mean.

You know how little things can set you off? Something trivial just makes you more unhappy than you really need to be, like forgetting to return a library book? How do you make yourself snap out of doom thinking?

I'm volunteering at a conference in a few days. I have been waiting for an email asking what sessions I want to attend. It never came. Now I realize that I may have misunderstood the first email they sent -- maybe I was supposed to send that information in last week.

So I spent some of last night and this morning upset about this. What if other people have already signed up for all the sessions I want? What if I look greedy by sending them my list if they haven't specifically asked? What if I choose the wrong sessions and the ones I sign up for are boring and then I am trapped in them?

Finally I sent an email asking if I was supposed to send that information in already.

I feel like I spend most of my life dwelling/ruminating instead of taking the appropriate actions. What are some strategies people use to break free from this pattern?

I know that exercise helps, even if I don't do it. Maybe if I just went for a quick walk or did 10 jumping jacks every time it would help?

I try to ask myself 'what is the simple solution?' and 'Am I making this more complicated than it needs to be?' I would just like to get to the point where I am asking those questions sooner...