I am an absolute champion at procrastination. Seriously, if there were a gold medal for putting things off, it would be hanging above my desk right now. From simple decisions like what to eat ("We can figure that out later, right?") to bigger ones like whether or not to attend a work event, I delay everything.

But that endless overthinking and doubting drains me more than a full day at a crowded amusement park with the kids. My mind just keeps spinning, and it drives me crazy. Sound familiar?

How Overthinking Exhausted Me

I’ve lost countless hours of sleep over things that, in hindsight, were ridiculously simple. Take something like an invitation to a work event.
✔️ Should I go or not?
✔️ Would it be fun or just awkward?
✔️ Maybe I should just hope they forget to count me in?

In the end, I would say "no" way too late (or worse: "yes" when I really meant "no"), and then I'd end up sitting there, miserable. Even small decisions became unnecessary dramas—like buying new sneakers. Why did I even need my husband’s opinion on that? He would just look at me like, "Why are you asking me? You’re the one wearing them." And he was right. But what if I picked the wrong ones? What if they weren’t comfortable? What if I regretted my choice?

See how needlessly complicated I made things for myself?

The Cost of Procrastination

Putting things off might seem harmless, but it’s not. Every time I delayed a decision, it lingered like an annoying pop-up in my mind. It made me tired, overwhelmed, and sometimes downright cranky. And while I kept overthinking… nothing actually happened.

The good news? You can train yourself to stop overthinking and make decisions faster and easier. Here are a few practical tips that have helped me tremendously.

How to Clear Your Mind: Practical Tips

1. Set a Time Limit

Decisions become easier with a deadline.
✔️ For small choices: Give yourself 30 seconds.
✔️ For bigger decisions: 24 hours max.
And stick to it—once time’s up, make your choice and move on.

2. Stop Consulting Everyone

Ask yourself: Who actually has to live with this decision?
If it’s only you, stop asking others for opinions. The more you practice this, the lighter your mind will feel.

3. Visualize the End Result

Imagine you’ve already made the choice.
✔️ Does it feel good? Go for it.
✔️ Does it feel like a burden? Maybe it’s the wrong decision.

4. Just Do It

Practice makes perfect. Start small:
✔️ Pick what to eat today without debating it.
✔️ Buy those shoes without dragging your partner into it.
The more decisions you make, the stronger your confidence grows.

Better Sleep Through Less Overthinking

Since I started making quicker decisions, I sleep better. My mind feels less cluttered, and I feel more at peace. Sure, I’m still no decision-making guru, but I’m making progress. And that feels good.

What keeps you up at night? What’s that one thing you keep putting off? Drop your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it! 😊

Want to sleep better and stop overthinking? Start small. The more you practice, the lighter it feels. And who knows? Maybe someday, you’ll win that medal too… but for quick decision-making. 🏅