Is swallowing automatic? i have been super self conscious about my swallowing because some stuff slides down slow. now i feel like im thinking too much about each swallow?

It could be voluntarily or involuntarily. Swallowing is a conditional reflex when you are eating or drinking. You know that when you are eating you swallow the food without any effort or control but you can stop the swallowing if you do not want to. However, after food passing the hypopharynx, you can no longer control the swallowing. Take care.

If you are overthinking too much you may benefit from seeing a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in multiple types of psychotherapy.