In this episode of the Becoming You podcast, I dive into why we tend to be overthinkers.

I define “overthinking” as the inability to be decisive. It’s analyzing an issue for longer than it takes to actually take action on it and resolve that issue. It’s imbalance.

What are the symptoms of overthinking?

A few symptoms overthinkers experience are:

• Reliving embarrassing experiences over and over again in your head
• Having trouble sleeping
• Constantly thinking “What if…”
• Obsessing over the “hidden meaning” behind what people say or don’t say
• Constantly reliving mistakes

Overthinking robs us from living in the present moment, because we live in our head, blunting our ability to make proper decisions—if we actually make a decision at all.

Why do we overthink?

We have come to rely on our “thinking brain” to help us navigate through life. We forget that we have this thing called our “heart”, through which we can tap into our inner wisdom. Our intuition provides a whole new dimension to any paradigm our brains may project.

I believe that our brain, while a wonderful thing, should not get the final say in the choices we make in life. Our brain is not connected to our soul, and our soul is what allows us to live our best life.

We also overthink because of our brain’s tendency to bring up our stored, not-so-pleasant memories in the moment. As humans, we desire predictability. It’s a survival mechanism.

How do we overcome overthinking? Just take action.

The solution is multilayered, but it starts and ends with taking action.

Overthinking makes us move really slowly. We get so caught up in potential mistakes that we hesitate with every step… and yet what we often find is that if we just forged ahead without overthinking, we would have made the same mistakes anyway!

Instead, take action—and learn from your mistakes.

Keep your eyes on your desired solution or outcome.

Whatever we focus on expands. And so if you focus on the problem, the problem will only get worse.

You don’t know what to do? Well, what do you actually want?

If you’re not willing to look at the problem in a different way, the solution will not manifest itself.

Assume that things will work out for you. Assume that success is inevitable. Maybe not now, but as long as you’re taking action and learning and taking action again, you will hit gold.

Shift your physical state

To stop overthinking, you have to get out of your head and into your body.

Exercise helps. Going outside and taking a walk in nature works great, too. Dance. Do breathwork.

Let go of your desire for perfect solutions

There is no such thing as the one perfect solution.

Be content with taking imperfect next steps, because that one imperfect next step will lead to the next imperfect next step; so on and so forth.

Consider it the next right move instead of the next perfect move. Again, this comes back to checking in with your heart and asking what feels right, all things considered.

Connect to your intuition

Our body holds the antidote for overthinking. Our bodies know what’s right and wrong for us.

How many times have we talked our way out of making a decision that appeals to us, that is drawing us, but somehow feels… “illogical”?

Feeling burnt out at work but telling yourself to keep going in order to stay productive? Stop it. Slow down and let yourself recover so that you have more in the tank for next time.

Most of us have forgotten what it feels like to rely on our intuition. If that’s the case, start using your intuition when it comes to small choices.

You’ll find that, just by reading those options off a piece of paper, you naturally gravitate to one over all the others.

With intention and attention, you can start to connect to your body and learn what is meant for you.

Free resource: 10 Ways to Spark Your Self Love Journey

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