We’ve all heard it: “Stop overthinking.”
Overthinking is framed as a problem. Something that keeps you up at night, slows down your decision-making, or fills your mind with a never-ending loop of cringey moments and what-ifs.
And sure, overthinking can be frustrating. It shows up in small annoyances, like:
- rereading a text message ten times before (and after) sending it
- replaying a past conversation and finding 1,000 ways it could’ve gone better
- feeling stuck between in decision paralysis
- lying in bed thinking about something that happened 3 days (or 5 years) ago
- feeling drained from thought overload
But what if that “mental traffic jam” is actually trying to tell you something useful?
Overthinking as a Sign of Self-Awareness
Overthinking is typically defined as chaotic and repetitive thoughts. Dwelling on or worrying about the same thought repeatedly. But if you look closer, overthinking isn’t just mental clutter.
Thoughts are meant to be constructive, not chaotic. They’re tools to help you get clarity, make decisions, and take action, not weigh you down.
That annoyance you feel when your thoughts loop is you becoming aware that your thinking isn’t helping you like it should. Overthinking is actually untapped self-awareness.
Using Overthinking to Build Self-Awareness
Think of overthinking like a closed sidewalk that forces you to cross the street only to run into the love of your life. In the moment, the detour is annoying. But it points you somewhere new. And sometimes, it leads to something better.
Overthinking is often your brain trying to solve a problem—just without a clear direction. When you stop labeling those thoughts as “bad” or “too much,” and instead view them with curiosity or even gratitude, something shifts. You start noticing:
- Patterns in your thinking
- Thoughts that don’t serve you anymore
- The real reasons behind your fears or doubts
From there, you can redirect that mental energy and open space for new insights. You thought you wanted clarity on a decision, but you realize none of the current options work for you.
You’re connecting dots. You’re having those “aha” moments we all love. And the best part is that you build a deeper connection and self-love. It’s priceless.
How to Turn Overthinking Into Progress
The trick is not to shut down your thoughts (which will coincidentally only have you thinking more) but to question them:
- Don’t judge your thoughts. Recognize them as data meant to help you achieve goals.
- Notice the themes. What keeps coming up? That’s often a clue to what matters most to you.
- Shift the goal. Instead of solving everything, focus on understanding something.
- Use it as fuel. Once you understand the thought, channel it into action.
- Go beyond the surface. Are you really upset they didn’t text or is this triggering feelings of inadequacy?
Excessive thoughts become useful when they are used intentionally. Your thoughts being to serve you—not the other way around.
Want to Learn More?
If this reframe of overthinking hits home, check out my book Overthink. It breaks down the three thought habits that get people stuck and teaches you how to take control of your thoughts.
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