Don't Overthink It

As relevant as this topic is, I found the book go into a lot of different directions and that too quite at length. The book begins strongly but then it feels like it goes in every possible direction. Only later did I realize that these were many manifestations of overthinking.

Essentially, all topics reduce to “You're thinking too much” -> “Stop it” -> “Here's what happened to me that illustrates how you could stop it”. To be fair, there is no other way I know of that solves overthinking. Still, this feels repetitive and just too long.

I'd still recommend skimming through this book. It is elaborate and covers a lot of different symptoms or manifestations of overthinking. If nothing else, it could tell you if what you're doing is actually harmful to you in the long run.

Audiobook

HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who struggles with anxiety, overthinking, and just bad thought patterns. This book was INCREDIBLE!!! Every chapter I was thinking ‘this author is inside my head, like she knows exactly what I'm struggling with!' Not only did the author identify my struggles, but she gave bite-sized action steps with each chapter. This will become a regular listen for me as I continue working on my overthinking. Huge thank you to the author for such an incredible book!

“Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema was a psychology professor at Yale whose research focused on women's mental health and well-being. Her studies over a twenty-year period showed that overthinking makes life harder, hurts our relationships, and may contribute to mental disorders like depression, severe anxiety, and alcohol abuse.”

That's probably enough to encourage us to move away from overthinking.

But how do we do that?

“Over time,” Anne Bogel tells us, “I have deliberately cultivated processes I can trust, ones I turn to when I'm wandering into overthinking territory.”

The rest of the book is devoted to elaborating on those practices. The practices are specific. They are doable. They are effective.

A very helpful book.

I picked this book up at just the right time. I was overwhelmed by how much I want to read. Overwhelmed by things I want to watch. Overwhelmed my work. Overwhelmed by all the thoughts in my head. Anne reminds me to slow down. She gives actionable suggestions to take control of my thought life rather than have it control me. These are not a checklist to be done in a certain order to experience the magic spell, but a number of suggestions that will fit some and not others. More than the actionable, I appreciated the thoughts and ideology behind the actions. Anne doesn't give us a prescription but gives understanding of a number of ways we overthink and goes attitudes and strategies can change the way we think. This may not be the pinnacle of intellectual and psychological wisdom, but it has given me much to think about and courage to be a person who adds more joy and kindness to myself and the people I meet rather than an energy drain. 

DNF at 45%.

I mean, who microwaves a melon? And while I was tempted to berate myself further and wallow in my misfortune, that wouldn't have done anyone any good, especially me.

Loved this. A self help book that doesn't talk down to me, or make me feel judged. Great tips on how to not overthink, and clearing our brains.