Nathan Wisdom is an author, speaker, and consultant specializing in fitness and wellness business growth. With expertise in marketing, sales strategy, and mindful leadership, he helps brands and professionals scale with purpose while integrating mindfulness into high-performance business strategies.
Have you ever lay awake at 2 AM, replaying that one awkward thing you said six years ago? Or stare at a simple email draft for an hour because “Best” feels too cold, but “Warmly” feels like you’re trying too hard? Yeah, welcome to the overthinker’s club.
Overthinking is like having 47 browser tabs open in your mind, except they’re all frozen, auto-playing music, and you have no idea where it’s coming from. It’s exhausting. It’s paralyzing. And the worst part is it never actually helps.
If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself into oblivion, the good news is that you don’t have to. In this article, I’m breaking down exactly how to stop overthinking and start trusting yourself so you can make decisions with clarity and confidence (without needing a 17-step pros and cons list).
What is overthinking (and why does your brain love it so much)?
Overthinking is a pattern of repetitive thoughts that create stress rather than solutions. It’s not the same as problem-solving; problem-solving finds answers, and overthinking just creates more questions. It’s when you get stuck in the endless cycle of “What if?” and “Did I say that right?” instead of taking action.
Your brain, bless its heart, thinks it's helping. It wants to keep you safe, predict all possible outcomes, and avoid embarrassment, failure, or regret. But instead of protecting you, it keeps you spinning in uncertainty, making decisions feel impossible.
How overthinking keeps you stuck
Ever notice how overthinking never leads to clarity, just more overthinking? That’s because:
It kills momentum. You spend so much time analyzing that you never actually do anything.
It fuels self-doubt. The more you second-guess yourself, the more you believe you can’t trust your own judgment.
It drains your energy. Decision fatigue is real, and overthinking burns through your mental reserves faster than a phone battery on 1%.
But the good news is that overthinking is a habit—and habits can be broken.
7 ways to stop overthinking and trust yourself
1. Get out of your head (literally)
Overthinking thrives in stillness. When your body isn’t moving, your mind starts pacing. Get up, go for a walk, do some yoga, shake it out. Physical movement interrupts the mental loops and resets your brain.
2. Set a timer for decisions
Give yourself five minutes to make a decision, big or small. If it’s a major life decision, give yourself 24 hours. That’s it. Overthinking loves unlimited time to spiral, so don’t give it that luxury.
3. Stop asking for everyone’s opinion
You don’t need a committee to decide what to do next. Overthinkers tend to outsource their confidence by polling everyone around them. The more opinions you collect, the more confused you’ll be. Ask one trusted person if needed, then trust your gut.
4. Make peace with “wrong” choices
Spoiler alert: You will make mistakes. We all do. But overthinking won’t prevent that. Instead of obsessing over making the right choice, ask yourself: "What’s the worst that could happen?" Chances are, it’s not as catastrophic as your brain wants you to believe.
5. Catch yourself in the overthinking loop
When you find yourself spiraling, stop and ask:
Am I problem-solving or just worrying?
Is this helping me move forward?
What’s one small action I can take right now?
These questions disrupt the cycle and bring you back to the present moment.
6. Learn to trust your first instinct
Your gut is smarter than you think.
One thing I’ve learned in the Buddhist circle is “First Thought, Right Thought.” Most of the time, we already know the right answer anyway, but overthinkers tend to dismiss it and replace it with a 17-step pros and cons list.
Try making small, low-risk decisions based on your first instinct and see what happens. (Hint: The world won’t end.)
7. Remember: Perfect doesn’t exist
Perfectionism and overthinking are best friends. But the truth is done is better than perfect. The email, the workout, the business idea, get it out there. Stop letting the fear of imperfection keep you from moving forward.
Your next step: Take action (without overthinking it)
Overthinking thrives in uncertainty, but trusting yourself is a skill you can build.
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start living with more clarity, check out my book, The Space Between. It’s packed with tools to help you navigate life’s in-between moments with confidence and ease. Grab your copy here.
Read more from Nathan Wisdom
Nathan Wisdom, Author, Speaker & Marketing Strategist
Nathan Wisdom is an author, speaker, and consultant who bridges mindfulness and business growth. With a background in marketing, sales strategy, and leadership development, he helps brands and professionals scale while staying aligned with their deeper purpose. He also teaches professionals how to lead with authenticity, fostering meaningful connections through mindful communication. His work blends modern business strategy with ancient wisdom, empowering leaders to grow with intention, presence, and impact.
