Have you ever wondered, “Am I overthinking this?” Well, if you’ve pondered over that question for more than 10 minutes, welcome to the club! I’m an official member, and our motto? “Why think once, when you can think a thousand times?”

Now, if you’re looking for the official medical definition of overthinking, it’s… actually, let’s not dive into that rabbit hole. I’ve probably overthought about it too much already! The point is, it’s basically when your brain goes into a never-ending loop about the tiniest of things.

One arena where overthinking doesn’t phase me? Decisions. I’m as decisive as they come. But ask me what to have for dinner, and we’ve entered a Shakespearean tragedy. To pasta or not to pasta, that is the question! And I know I’m not dining alone in this dilemma. (See what I did there?)

Now, in my line of work, the devil’s in the details. Skip a minor detail and suddenly, it’s red-alert levels of panic. Get it right, and it’s like watching a masterful symphony – every little note in its right place, making campaigns or events flow like a dream.

But, here’s the kicker: sometimes, the very same details have me burning the midnight oil, wondering if I hit “send” on that email or if I remembered to print that document. Oh, and speaking of midnight, to my team – please don’t feel the need to respond to my 2 am emails. They’re just timestamps of my overactive brain, not actual deadlines!

In fact, here’s a mantra I live by: just because I overthink, doesn’t mean you have to. My overthinking trait – a blessing and a curse – ensures I strive to beat deadlines. But to my team, when you are feeling burnt out, know this: I’m here for you. My role isn’t just about overseeing; it’s about seeing you, supporting you and standing beside you.

You might ask, “Why overthink? Is it actually helpful?” For me, the answer is a resounding ‘sometimes’. It has its moments. In crisis situations, I can weigh pros and cons at the speed of light. Overthinking becomes my superpower.

But then, the irony strikes. I start… overthinking about overthinking! Is that personal growth or just a convoluted mental maze? Jury’s still out on that one.

One of the hardest battles with overthinking is being present. It’s like my brain’s always on a cosmic quest for “What’s next?” But, borrowing wisdom from Brene Brown, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” And to do that, I’ve learned to hit the pause button on the brain radio and simply be.

A therapist once asked me, “What’s it like to sit with Brandon, for Brandon?” It took me aback because overthinking has been my shield, my survival tool. To just ‘be’ seemed… vulnerable.

To my fellow overthinkers, know this: it’s okay. We’re not broken; we’re just incredibly thorough! And while I’d advise against a Google deep-dive (speaking from personal, 3 am experience), talking helps. Find a trusted friend or better yet, a licensed therapist, and unspool that thread. Remember, it’s okay to simply be with your thoughts, without letting them lead the dance.

Happy (or at least, moderate) thinking!

bth