You could know someone for years and still spend hours going over your conversation and wishing that it went differently. You overthink every single text and can’t help replaying your words in your head.

Did you really have to send that lame emoji three times in a row? Couldn’t you have thought of a funnier joke?

The worse part is when your friends don’t reply right away or leave you on read. Suddenly, those three little dots are the most interesting thing in the world.

Why aren’t they responding? Are they mad at you? Should you ask them and if you do, will they tell you the truth?

You’re so used to overthinking every interaction and reaction that you don’t notice how emotionally exhausted you are.

Overthinkers feel that there is no worse possible scenario because they’re living it right now.

You know that your obsession with being liked or understood is sometimes out of control, but try telling that to your brain.

When you spend most of your day overanalyzing every word, action or thought, you don’t leave time for much else.

If that’s not enough, here’s what happens when you let your thoughts get in the way of experiencing life.

1. When you overthink every issue and situation, you stress yourself out both mentally and emotionally.

Constantly replaying that moment from weeks, months or even years ago is sending your brain into overdrive. It’s not surprising that you feel completely drained.

The moment has already passed so you have no choice but to move on. It’s normal to feel regrets, but it starts to get dangerous when those regrets are all you think about.

2. You’re indecisive to the point where you shut down.

Making decisions that affect the people around us is never easy. That’s why being in charge of anything, whether it’s choosing where to eat or who to work with, makes you really anxious. Sometimes, you get so overwhelmed that you would rather run away from the task and let someone else take over.

At the end of the day, it’s better to be firm in a decision and adjust as needed than to give up completely.

3. You over-apologize even when you don’t have to.

“Sorry” is the number one word in your vocabulary. Even though you know that you say sorry because you’re afraid of offending anyone or being disliked, you’re unsure of how to shake this habit.

Don’t ever apologize for taking up space. This is something that I still have to actively work on!

4. You avoid deadlines like the plague.

You’re not the best at submitting work on time. You don’t feel right sending something in if you haven’t gone over it at least five or six times.

All of that time you spend worrying could be used in a much more productive way. Be confident in your work. Check it twice and take a leap of faith. Chances are it’s not as bad as you think!

5. Your friends are tired of the constant check-ins, which leads to awkward hangouts.

Your friends get super frustrated when you constantly ask them to go over situations you’ve already discussed. This ends up making you feel uncomfortable to the point where you no longer want to share any important events.

6. You start distancing yourself from everyone around you.

The best way to avoid number five and six is to focus on the here and now. Don’t get so caught up in what’s happened that you can’t see what’s right in front of you.

7. You’re not getting enough sleep.

This explains your chronic headaches and lack of energy throughout the day. Start keeping a journal where you write for fifteen minutes straight without stopping. This will help you practice getting all of your thoughts without worrying about sounding perfect.

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