🤝 Still overthinking it? Me too
This week: How to quiet the overthinking that comes after the decision
Hey friend 🧡
We’ve made a big decision recently: we’re selling our house. With my youngest planning to head to college in 18 months time and Mark’s youngest finishing school this summer, we’ve been thinking hard about what comes next for us. We want to be around for the big milestones - but we also want to explore more of the world while we can.
It hasn’t been an easy choice. As an overthinker, I’ve questioned everything. Will we regret it? Where will we live next? Even though we’ve made the decision and it’s in motion, my mind still circles back with doubts.
Because here’s the thing: overthinking doesn’t stop just because you’ve made a choice. Big decisions have a way of following you around, tugging at loose threads of uncertainty.
If you’ve been stuck in decision paralysis (or second-guessing the ones you’ve made), you’re not alone. So this week, let’s talk about why big decisions feel so hard - and how to stop overthinking them.
Why we get stuck in decision paralysis
If you’ve ever spent days - or even weeks, months or years - agonising over a decision, it’s not just you. Here’s why it happens:
👉 Too many choices: When you’re overwhelmed with options, it’s harder to commit. More possibilities mean more chances to get it “wrong” and goodness we have so many choices nowadays.
👉 Fear of regret: Overthinkers like us often try to predict every possible outcome. The fear of making a mistake keeps us stuck in analysis mode.
👉 Chasing the perfect answer: The belief that there’s a “right” decision makes it harder to move forward. But no decision is perfect - every choice carries some uncertainty.
What’s a hard decision you’ve had to make?
I’d love to hear from you - what’s a big decision you’ve struggled with? Maybe it’s a career change, a move or something unexpected. How did you make the choice? Hit reply or drop note in the comments. 👇
Thank you, as always, for being here.
Louise x
🛠 This week’s small step: The 5-5-5 rule
If you’re overthinking a decision, try this simple technique:
🕰 5 minutes – Ask yourself: How will I feel about this decision in five minutes?
📅 5 months – How about five months from now?
🛤 5 years – And in five years?
💡 Reframe the fear: Most decisions won’t define your future. Five years from now, you’ll likely barely remember what you agonised over today.
🎯 Try it today: The next time you feel stuck, pause and do a quick 5-5-5 check-in. It’s a powerful way to zoom out and break free from overthinking.
🔗 Want to dive deeper?
Read more in this article about how overthinking impacts decision making.
Watch this video about how to stop overthinking decisions and overcome analysis paralysis.
Finally: If you’re struggling, please don’t struggle alone.
Know that asking for help is a sign of strength not of weakness. Contact someone you can trust like your Doctor, a friend or a relative, or text SHOUT to 85258 (UK) to start a conversation with a crisis support volunteer.