Dear Overthinker: It’s Not as Deep as You Think

Do you overthink a lot?
Are you overthinking right now about overthinking a lot?
And now you’re trying not to overthink about overthinking… because you overthink a lot?
Yeah. Same.

I can take the tiniest interaction, comment, or glance and turn it into a full-blown mental obstacle course - with a 100-foot wall at the starting line.
Someone takes a little too long to text back? I must’ve said something wrong.
Someone wants to “talk”? I definitely messed something up, and now I have to remember what it was.
Someone’s not passing me the ball? Yup, I suck. I’m not worthy of the ball. Time to bench myself emotionally.
Please don’t make me keep going…

Anyway - let’s pause.
Take a deep breath.

Now here’s the truth: it’s probably not that bad. In fact, it’s most likely all in your head.
One thing I’ve learned - from friends, from therapy, from just paying attention is that most people aren’t analyzing you the way you analyze yourself.
They’re too busy overthinking their own lives.
That awkward thing you said? Forgotten.
That text you’re stressing over? They were probably just busy.
That post you regret? Most people just scrolled past it (unless they really support you - and in that case, they’re cheering you on).

Here’s the thing:
Overthinking makes everything feel heavier than it actually is.
It convinces us that one small misstep means disaster and failure.
But life isn’t meant to be that heavy. It’s lighter than we think - if we let it be.

You don’t have to carry every worry.
You don’t have to solve every hypothetical problem.
You don’t have to overanalyze every move.
And sometimes, the most freeing thing you can tell yourself is this:
“It’s not that deep.”

That scary puddle you’re staring at like it’s a bottomless ocean?
It’s just a puddle. Step over it. Jump through it. Dance in it if you want.
So next time your mind starts spiraling - pause.

Take a breath. Laugh at yourself a little.
And let it go.

Because you deserve a lighter life.
And it starts with your thoughts.

- with love. JiHun -