Overthinking: Why My Mind Won’t Stop (And Maybe Yours Doesn’t Either)
If you’re like me, your mind doesn’t always stop. It replays conversations, worries about what could go wrong, and questions every decision you make. Overthinking can steal your sleep, make small decisions feel huge, and even strain relationships. I know — I’ve been there, and I’m still learning how to live with it.
For me, overthinking can show up in different ways: racing thoughts, a tight chest, sweating, insomnia, or even snapping at people I love. Sometimes it feels like my mind is holding me hostage, and no matter how much I try, it won’t quit.
Overthinking isn’t just an annoying habit — it can take a toll on your mental health, your body, and even your relationships. For some, it leads to anxiety, insomnia, or stress-related physical symptoms. It can also spill into how we interact with others. Some people let their overthinking shape how they treat those around them, assuming the worst or jumping to conclusions. Living with this kind of overthinking can be exhausting — it affects your peace, your patience, and your sense of stability.
I’m not saying overthinking defines who we are, but it’s important to recognize it’s more than just a thought spiral. It has real consequences, and the more aware we are, the better we can manage it before it impacts our health or relationships.
Extreme overthinking doesn’t just stay in someone’s head — it can impact the people around them too. When someone treats imagined scenarios as reality, it can create tension, misunderstandings, and even anxiety for those close to them. I’ve seen this in my own life, and it’s exhausting, but it’s a real part of how overthinking plays out in relationships.
I’ve noticed that overthinking usually comes from a few common places:
Fear of the unknown – wondering what might happen and trying to “plan for everything.”
Desire to control – wanting outcomes to go a certain way and feeling anxious when life doesn’t cooperate.
Trust issues or fear of being hurt – worrying that others might let you down or that situations will not go as expected.
Even though it can be exhausting, I’ve started noticing it in real-time. Just naming it — “Okay, Catrina, your brain is overthinking again” — somehow takes away a little of its power.
Overthinking isn’t harmless. It affects sleep, focus, mood, and sometimes even the way we treat others. And here’s the honest part: even knowing it’s happening doesn’t always stop it. Some days, I just ride the wave, hoping my brain eventually tires out.
But even in the middle of all the mental chaos, I’ve learned one thing: overthinking is human. It doesn’t make me weak, broken, or failing. It’s just my brain trying — sometimes too hard — to keep me safe. And realizing that helps me meet it with a little humor and patience instead of frustration.
So if your mind races, your chest tightens, or you lie awake replaying conversations from hours ago, know this: you are not alone. Your overthinking doesn’t define you. It’s just one part of a bigger, capable, resilient you.
With awareness and understanding,
Just Catrina
