Dear Anita,

Wow that sounds like a nice spring, it isn’t quite that warm here just yet- but soon – I hope!

I apologize as I did not explain my scenario in detail, I did feel that I wanted to get the general concept out first, and then backtrack to details.  In a way understanding the overall situation of what I do, and then dissect.

To answer your question it is EXACTLY mind chatter taking notes in a compulsive way.  Also of course it does sometimes include opinions, “oh what a nice dress” “oh weird hair” – but that isn’t quite as problematic as the first “over observation” Does that make sense? so I would say it is both, but my primary issue is the first and foremost compulsive observation, like being unable to turn that off.  this came up because my husband brought it up.  And we were talking about how now I am aware of it, but it continues, and that it takes away from our OWN relaxed experience.  As I don’t just have the mind chatter, I speak about it out loud.  Some of which can be within normal – “oh look at the sweet baby,” But as my first post referenced, it is excessive.  Constant mind chatter, constant observation.  And also with it does come anecdotes, “oh look at that picnic, maybe we should do that next weekend..” and in my head — why didn’t we do that today, should we have?

compulsive/habitual mind chatter, but with also a component of anecdotes