Overthinking is slowly killing you. After 40 years of research,...
Taylin John Simmonds@TaylinSimmonds
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May 04, 2025
~2 min read
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Overthinking is slowly killing you.
After 40 years of research, Alan Watts found that overthinking is the hidden root of all anxiety, self-doubt, and unhappiness.
Here are 5 fascinating lessons he teaches to stop overthinking and reclaim your mind:
After 40 years of research, Alan Watts found that overthinking is the hidden root of all anxiety, self-doubt, and unhappiness.
Here are 5 fascinating lessons he teaches to stop overthinking and reclaim your mind:
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1) “You cannot live at all unless you can live fully now.”
-Alan Watts
Overthinking is the mind clinging to the past or worrying about the future.
But happiness exists only in the present.
Fail to master mindfulness and your mind will always find a way to make you miserable.
-Alan Watts
Overthinking is the mind clinging to the past or worrying about the future.
But happiness exists only in the present.
Fail to master mindfulness and your mind will always find a way to make you miserable.
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2) The more you try to control your mind, the more chaotic it becomes
Watt's Backward Law states:
“When you try to stay on the surface of the water, you sink; when you try to sink, you float.”
Refuse to let go and your mind will leave you restless.
Unable to enjoy life.
Watt's Backward Law states:
“When you try to stay on the surface of the water, you sink; when you try to sink, you float.”
Refuse to let go and your mind will leave you restless.
Unable to enjoy life.
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2) Observe your thoughts without judgment
“A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts. He loses touch with reality.”
Only the insane cling to their own thoughts.
To find peace, let them drift.
Be the observer.
“A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts. He loses touch with reality.”
Only the insane cling to their own thoughts.
To find peace, let them drift.
Be the observer.
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3) The search for certainty creates anxiety
“The desire for security and the feeling of insecurity are the same thing.”
Anxiety is caused by trying to "figure everything out."
Peace = accepting life’s uncertainties
Joy = focusing on experiencing life
“The desire for security and the feeling of insecurity are the same thing.”
Anxiety is caused by trying to "figure everything out."
Peace = accepting life’s uncertainties
Joy = focusing on experiencing life
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4) Never mistake thoughts about life for life itself
Watts encourages intuition > thinking
- Instead of stressing over decisions, trust your intuition
- Instead of fearing the future, feel the present moment
Don't get stuck analyzing when you could be truly living.
Watts encourages intuition > thinking
- Instead of stressing over decisions, trust your intuition
- Instead of fearing the future, feel the present moment
Don't get stuck analyzing when you could be truly living.
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5) You don’t have to solve every problem
Alan Watts believed that forcing decisions leads to mental exhaustion.
• Gather the facts
• Step away
• Let your subconscious process
• Trust that insights will emerge naturally
Give your intuition and heart space to work wonders.
Alan Watts believed that forcing decisions leads to mental exhaustion.
• Gather the facts
• Step away
• Let your subconscious process
• Trust that insights will emerge naturally
Give your intuition and heart space to work wonders.
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A little about me...
2 years ago I left my college teaching job to pursue writing full-time.
Now I write social media content for founders and personal brands (the perfect business model for an idea-loving introvert like myself).
Follow me @taylinsimmonds for writing advice and fascinating ideas.
2 years ago I left my college teaching job to pursue writing full-time.
Now I write social media content for founders and personal brands (the perfect business model for an idea-loving introvert like myself).
Follow me @taylinsimmonds for writing advice and fascinating ideas.
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PS. I've broken down 3 years of writing for myself and over 60 founders into 5 crucial content tips.
(The first tip 7x'd my average engagement)
Get them in my free course, Compelling Content: taylinsimmonds.com/how-to-get-goo…
(The first tip 7x'd my average engagement)
Get them in my free course, Compelling Content: taylinsimmonds.com/how-to-get-goo…