We’ve all been there—lying in bed at 2 AM, replaying that awkward thing you said three hours ago, or spiraling about whether your friend’s dry text response means they hate you forever. Your brain feels like a browser with 47 tabs open, and somehow they’re all playing different anxiety soundtracks.
Here’s the thing: overthinking isn’t a character flaw. It’s actually your brain trying to protect you by problem-solving everything into oblivion. The issue? Some problems don’t need solving—they need releasing.
The Spiral Effect
Negative thought spirals work like quicksand. The harder you struggle against them, the deeper you sink. One worry leads to another, then another, until you’re convinced that forgetting to reply to a text will somehow result in lifelong loneliness. Your nervous system can’t tell the difference between a real threat and an imagined one, so it responds to “what if” scenarios like they’re happening right now.
The Art of Letting Go
In “The Art of Letting Go,” we learn that holding onto every thought that passes through our minds is like trying to catch every leaf that falls from a tree. Exhausting and pointless. Not every thought deserves your attention—most are just mental noise passing through.
The goal isn’t to stop thinking (impossible) but to change your relationship with your thoughts. Instead of getting tangled up in each worry, you can observe them like clouds passing overhead. Some are storm clouds, some are wispy—but they all move on if you let them.
Quick Reality Checks
- The 5-minute rule: Will this matter in five years? Five months? Sometimes even five minutes?
- Evidence check: What actual proof do I have that this worst-case scenario will happen?
- Best friend test: What would you tell your best friend if they brought you this worry?
Moving Forward
Breaking free from overthinking isn’t about achieving some zen state of never worrying again. It’s about building the skill of noticing when your mind is stuck in a loop and gently redirecting your attention. As “The Art of Letting Go” reminds us, peace isn’t found in having all the answers—it’s found in being okay with uncertainty.
Your thoughts are visitors, not permanent residents. You get to choose which ones you invite to stay for dinner.
Remember: If overthinking is seriously impacting your daily life, reaching out to a counselor or therapist can provide personalized strategies and support. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Salt + Cedar Collective 