Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life

by Anne Bogel

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Because our thoughts cascade into our feelings and actions, what we think about matters. When we nurture positive thoughts, we feel good; when we nurture negative thoughts, we feel bad. The nature of our thoughts directly affects not only the content of our experience but also our quality of life. This isn’t value-neutral.

Insecurity and fear generate a tremendous amount of overthinking about matters big and small. When we’re not sure we’re doing it right, whatever it is, we can’t mentally move on, so we unintentionally leave the door open to overthinking. When we lack confidence in our own judgment, it’s natural—even, in a perverse way, useful—for our thoughts to repeatedly return to unanswered questions or unresolved situations, because our brains don’t like unfinished business.