Wow! I had a hard time falling asleep last night, the ideas plagued me until after half past one in the morning. I guess, I had an attack of thoughts. The funny thing is that one believes that one dominates what one thinks, and listening to you, I understood for the umpteenth time that it is not so.
I also agree with you that one is a mixture of types of thoughts. Of course, there will be one that will predominate, although that will be determined by the situation.
I admit, I don't know why I think this way, I just accept that I am this way, and I strive to be a better thinker every day, learning something new, or simply broadening my perspective on the world.
Yeah, I hear you, sometimes the brain won't shut down of its own accord and some help is required, relaxing music or nature sounds, a few dabs of lavender oil on the temples...whatever works.
Striving to be a better thinker, as you say, will help you work towards better outcomes I suppose, that works for me too.