overthinking
Excessive mental analysis
Overthinking is dwelling on something longer than useful, analyzing possibilities until the process becomes counterproductive.
The word implies that some thinking is appropriate but too much creates anxiety or paralysis: Stop overthinking it and just ask her out.
I've been overthinking this decision for weeks.
The noun overthinking and the verb overthink both see heavy use in discussions of anxiety and self-help.
Prolonged, repetitive thinking
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- dwellingPlace of residence
- mullingDeep, slow consideration
- rehashingRevisiting previously discussed material
second-guessing · obsessing · fixation · preoccupation · pondering · cogitation · overanalyzing · navel-gazing
Troubled mental state
- frettingAnxious rumination or surface wear
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
unease · tension · panic · jitters · edginess · restlessness · hypervigilance · insecurity
Loss of muscle function
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- doubtLack of firm belief
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
ambivalence · procrastination · stalling · dithering · waffling · fence-sitting · overcomplicating · deliberating
Uncertainty about oneself
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- shamePainful awareness of failure
Chronic occupational depletion
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- overloadBurden beyond capacity
- strainExcessive stretching force
Showing extreme attention to detail
- exactingDemanding great care
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- scrupulousThorough and principled
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
overworking · polishing · tweaking · refining · fussing · micromanaging · overcorrecting · fine-tuning
rumination
Prolonged, repetitive thinking
rehashing · second-guessing · obsessing · fixation · preoccupation · pondering · cogitation · overanalyzing · navel-gazing · perseveration
worry
Troubled mental state
- frettingAnxious rumination or surface wear
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
dread · unease · tension · panic · jitters · edginess · restlessness · hypervigilance · insecurity · catastrophizing
paralysis
Loss of muscle function
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- doubtLack of firm belief
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
wavering · ambivalence · procrastination · stalling · dithering · waffling · fence-sitting · overcomplicating · deliberating · vacillating
self-doubt
Uncertainty about oneself
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
shame · guilt · inadequacy · self-blame
burnout
Chronic occupational depletion
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- overloadBurden beyond capacity
meticulous
Showing extreme attention to detail
- exactingDemanding great care
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- scrupulousThorough and principled
nitpicking · overworking · polishing · tweaking · refining · fussing · micromanaging · overcorrecting · fine-tuning
- overdoingoverdoing, overindulging, overkill, excess, overreacting
- mental blocksmental block, self-doubt, self-sabotage, procrastination, self-criticism
- thinkingreasoning, ponder, contemplate, pondering, contemplating
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, panic, worry, generalized anxiety
- bad habitssmoking, drinking, lying, swearing, gossiping
- meditation obstaclesrestlessness, anxiety, racing thoughts, drowsiness, sleepiness
overthinkingunderthinking
Insufficient mental deliberation
thoughtlessness · unthinking · rashness · impulsiveness · mindlessness
overthinkingdecisive action
Firm choice, promptly executed
decisiveness · acting · doing · taking action · spontaneity
overthinkinggoing with the flow
Accepting situations without resistance
letting go · trusting your gut · acceptance · mindfulness · presence
think, thought, thinking, thinker, unthinking, rethink, unthinkable, overthink, rethinking