Overthinking is like opening 37 tabs in your brain and then forgetting which one was actually important. It’s the art of turning a simple “Hey, can we talk?” text into a full-blown emotional crisis, complete with worst-case scenarios, a dramatic backstory, and an emergency therapy session – before the person even responds.
It is also wildly efficient. One tiny thought can snowball into a complete existential meltdown in record time. Should I reply with ‘Ok’ or ‘Sure’? ‘Sure’ sounds too casual. ‘Ok’ sounds passive-aggressive. Maybe I’ll go with ‘Sounds good’? Wait. Do I sound too eager? Do they even like me? Oh no, what if they secretly hate me? Maybe I should fake my disappearance and start a new life in the mountains.
And yet, as much as overthinking torments us, it sometimes surprises us with its weird wisdom. It helps us notice patterns, analyze situations, and anticipate things others might overlook – like how Gayatri always “forgets” her wallet at group dinners or how Raghu’s “No worries, I’ll handle it” actually means “I will absolutely drop the ball on this.”
In a way, overthinking is like having an unreliable but occasionally brilliant detective in your head. Most of the time, it makes wild assumptions and unnecessary connections, but every now and then, it stumbles upon actual insight. Like when you re-read that email 27 times before sending it, only to realize that you almost signed off with “Love. (your name)” to your boss.
Then there is the unique brand of overthinking that happens at night, right when you’re about to fall asleep. Your brain suddenly decides it is the perfect time to replay every embarrassing moment from your past – yes, including that thing you did in third grade that no one remembers but you. Hey, remember when you called your teacher ‘Mom’? Or when you tripped, walking up the stairs in front of everyone?
But the actual plot twist? Sometimes, overthinking helps. Sure, 90% of it is unnecessary stress, but that other 10%? That’s where it catches mistakes, sees details no one else notices, and helps you plan for things way in advance. It is the reason you double-check if you locked the door, preemptively come up with excuses to leave awkward social situations, and always have a backup plan (or five).
So, is overthinking a curse or a superpower? Honestly, it depends on the day. Sometimes, it makes you feel like a paranoid mess, and other times, it makes you look like an absolute genius. Either way, if you’ve already started overanalyzing this entire post…well, welcome to the club.
I am participating in the #BlogchatterA2Z, and this is my post for the theme, ‘Of Epiphanies & Eyerolls‘.
Ahh the first line.. It felt so so relatable. And it’s strange how the stressful thoughts come to disturb me just when I try to fall asleep. Loved this post to the core!
that thing you did in third grade that no one remembers but you?
Tell me the truth Mayuri, did you read my diary? Cuz how can you know these details otherwise
True, 90% of it may be unnecessary, as our brain tends to weave elaborate stories around incidents to keep them alive. Yet, the remaining 10% is intriguing—it quietly prepares us in ways we don’t even realize.
I could relate to the ok and the sure texting overthinking I struggle so bad with that. Oh man .
The analogy of having 37 tabs open in the brain is spot on; I often find myself lost in a maze of thoughts over the simplest things. Your humor, especially about contemplating replies like ‘Ok’ or ‘Sure,’ had me laughing out loud because I’ve been there too many times. It’s comforting to know that overthinking isn’t all bad—it does help in catching details others might miss. Your perspective on it being both a curse and a superpower really resonated with me. The late-night replay of embarrassing moments? Oh, that’s a classic! Your writing not only made me chuckle but also offered a fresh outlook on embracing my overactive mind.
Well, well! Whadda you know! A positive post on overthinking!
Reading this post made me feel good. The 37 tabs on my laptop screen and the 3,700 tabs in my brain approve.
Beautifully written.
Cheers,
CRD
I admire your choice of topics, especially how closely they relate to our behavioral tendencies. The issue of overthinking often happens unconsciously. Pointing it out to someone can be sensitive, because unfortunately, if things go wrong, they might become a ‘hindsight expert’, as you described in another post. ‘See I told you…..’ wah!!!
I am an overthinker myself, and each word of the post resonated with me! And yes, those paranoid days are really hard to deal with. Your posts are just brilliant.
Being an overthinker myself I can totally relate to each word written above.