Yes, recognizing them and exploring them is helpful, @shermananski. A journal is great for writing down these thoughts that keep circulating through your brain. Then sharing it with a trusted professional who can help you.

@shermananski , my, I have some considerable background in ruminating myself. When I am depressed it is a go-to habit of mine that ends of with endless self-critique to the point of feeling worthless. When I catch myself doing this I try to realize that I have explored my past and that it's not going to help me in *this* moment to pursue it any further. I set it aside, and if I feel later that it is important will bring it up with my therapist. I release my thoughts that are very negative in the company of somebody I can trust to give me honest and helpful feedback or just to ask them to listen and to acknowledge my feelings as valid.