Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, replaying the same thoughts again and again? Sometimes it feels like your mind refuses to switch off. The question is: am I just overthinking, or is this anxiety?
At first glance, the two may seem the same—but they’re not.
Overthinking is like getting stuck in a traffic jam. You know where you want to go, but your thoughts circle endlessly around one event, one choice, or one “what if.” It’s situational and often tied to a specific problem.
Anxiety, however, feels like living with a car engine that never stops running, even when parked. It’s not always about one thing—it’s the constant hum of unease, worry, or restlessness that spills into every part of life.
Here’s a short story to make it clearer:
Imagine a man standing at the shore of a river. Overthinking is like him staring at the water, throwing pebbles in, and watching the ripples spread. He obsesses about how far the ripples will go, even though the river itself is calm. Anxiety, on the other hand, is like being swept into the river by a current that never lets up. He’s not just throwing pebbles—he’s struggling to keep his head above water.
Both can drain your energy and leave you feeling stuck, but there’s a way forward.
When you’re overthinking—pause, write your thoughts down, and challenge them with reality.
When it’s anxiety—your body needs calm before your mind can follow: breathing exercises, grounding techniques, or guided therapy can help. For guidance and support, Contact us today.
The most important thing to remember? You are not your thoughts. You are the thinker behind them. And once you learn to separate the chatter from the truth, freedom becomes possible.
