Don’t Overthink It: Book Review

In Don’t Overthink It, Ann Bogel provides simple strategies and subtle shifts in perspective that will help overthinkers stop negative thought patterns.

“What if instead of wasting our time overthinking, we focus on the good we might do?”

I wanted to read this book because I struggle with the fear of making the wrong decision. I often find myself over-analyzing and second-guessing my choices.

“We may believe that when we finally discover the right answer, it will seem obvious. But the right answer is rarely out there somewhere—and so we stew and stew, without arriving at a resolution, our overthinking manifesting as worry, doubt, and stagnation.”

Overthinkers often struggle with perfectionism and fear of failure. Bogel encourages a “try it and see what happens” approach.

“Instead of waiting to feel a certain way before we take action, we can get good information, and fast, by trying something and seeing what happens next. There’s no agonizing over the right decision, and there are rarely regrets.”

One strategy I found helpful was to identify what matters to me when making decisions. What do I value? What kind of person do I want to be?

Bogel provides some unique tips to stop the cycle of repetitive and unhealthy thoughts. These include considering a different point of view, brushing it aside, for now, ignoring unhelpful thoughts, and distraction.

“By changing your thought life, you can fundamentally change the way you experience the world.”

I thought this book offered great tips to simplify decision making.

Bogel is the creator of the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and author of Reading People and I’d Rather Be Reading.

I received a copy of this book from BakerBooks in exchange for my honest review.