Welcome to the Over-thinkers Anonymous Club (You’re Already a Member)

Let’s play a game.

You:

– Reread that text four times before hitting send

– Lay in bed at night dissecting a 7-second interaction

– Rehearse imaginary conversations in the shower like it’s your side job

Sound familiar?

Congratulations!

you’re officially in the Over-thinkers Club.

No sign-up necessary. Your brain did that all on its own.

Overthinking: The Hobby You Never Meant to Have

You didn’t choose this life.

This life chose you…somewhere between your first awkward middle school crush and that one time you waved back at someone who wasn’t waving at you.

Overthinking is like opening 72 browser tabs in your mind and then forgetting which one had the actual answer.

And somehow, it feels urgent.

But here’s the thing:

Most of us aren’t overthinking because we’re dramatic.

We’re doing it because it gives the illusion of control.

Spoiler alert: it’s not working.

Why You Can’t Stop Replaying That One Tiny Moment

Your brain? It’s trying to protect you.

From embarrassment. Rejection. Future heartbreak.

Basically anything that even smells like discomfort.

So it runs simulations:

• What you should’ve said

• What you will say next time

• The perfect response you’ll never actually send

But the more you think about it… the less clear anything becomes.

So What’s the Exit Plan?

We can’t just turn off our brains. (We’ve tried. It’s called 3am YouTube rabbit holes.)

But we can start interrupting the pattern.

Here’s how:

🧠1. Give Your Brain a Nickname

Mine? Ruminatia. (roo-muh-NAY-shuh)

She’s dramatic. She’s persistent.

She wears a velvet cloak and whispers worst-case scenarios like they’re prophecies.

She means well, but she spirals for sport.

So when she shows up with a fresh monologue about how I definitely said the wrong thing, I nod, sip my coffee, and remind her:

“Thanks, but I’m the main character here. Not today.”

🧠 2. Set a “Worry Window”

You want to spiral? Cool. You get 10 minutes.

After that, you’re closing the mental tab and doing something that doesn’t involve your ex, your coworker’s weird tone, or your inevitable downfall.

Put a timer on it.

Overthinking is not a full-time job, even if Ruminatia treats it like one.

🧠 3. Fact-Check Your Fear

Ask:

• Is this thought helpful or just familiar?

• Is this something present-me needs to solve, or is it past-me still yelling?

• Is this actually threatening to me?

That last one? Life-changing.

It’s a question I ask myself often during anxiety spikes.

Because nine times out of ten?

The “threat” isn’t life-threatening —

it’s just life-happening.

A weird text. A silent room. An uncertain moment.

Uncomfortable? Sure.

Dangerous? Not really.

🧠4. Do Something Pointless (On Purpose)

Pet your dog. Make a ridiculous playlist.

Organize your sock drawer by color-coded emotional damage.

Whatever breaks the loop.

You’re not wasting time — you’re resetting your nervous system.

🧠5. Give It a Plot Twist

If your brain insists on storytelling, at least give it a better ending.

Instead of “They probably hate me,” try “They’re probably obsessed with me and just shy.”

Same fiction. More fun.

Your Thoughts Are Not the Boss of You

They’re loud, sure.

They’re dramatic, absolutely.

But they’re not facts. They’re not fate.

And they’re definitely not fortune tellers.

So the next time your brain invites you into a familiar mental maze?

Politely decline.

You’ve got better things to do… like live.

Bonus Challenge:

Drop a comment or DM:

What’s the wildest thing your brain (aka insert your brain’s nickname here) has convinced you of lately?

Let’s laugh at the chaos together.

No shame, just solidarity.