If you don't already know Anne Bogel, then your first piece of homework is to listen to her podcasts, read her previous books, and get to know her! Her voice is calming, her words are reassuring, and if she gives you a recommendation, it would probably be to your best advantage to follow her words of advice!

So when she writes a book with a title Don't Overthink It, then maybe you should just do as she suggests! She starts off the book with a personal story about an upcoming trip, a looming severe weather threat, and her struggle to find peace with the scenario. We have all been there - struggling to make a decision....fearful that every forward move will be the wrong one. In her book, she suggests various ways to move through the worry and the 'overthinking' and move more towards some release and happiness. Some of her chapter headings include Take Time to Make Time, Speed UP to Move On, Get someone Else to Do it (I like this one), and Small shifts toward Simple Abundance.

I don't consider myself an overthinker but when reviewing this book, I can still use some of her helpful advice in case a stubborn scenario is presented for which I am not sure which way to land!

Thank you to Anne Bogel for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

“The way we see ourselves has enormous implications on how we live our lives.”
We all have things in our lives that we spend too much time thinking about. Whether it’s small decisions, big decisions, spending money or saying the right thing, we can get stuck thinking about that thing over and over and over. Anne Bogel admits to being a person who overthinks a lot in many areas and shares her tips for trying to get unstuck in Don’t Overthink It.

I came across Anne Bogel just a few years ago despite being an avid bookworm like her. She has a book review blog called Modern Mrs. Darcy. I first came across her though when I read her book, Reading People, about personality tests. I really loved that book and then found her blog and her book I’d Rather Be Reading (which is a wonderful book for any book lover). I was able to read an advanced copy of Don’t Overthink It through NetGalley.

Don’t Overthink It is divided into three sections that covers setting yourself up for success, taking charge and letting the sun shine in. Each section has chapters that cover a specific type of overthinking and ways to help overcome it. She uses a lot of examples from her own life. One example was when she and her husband were on vacation in New York City and it rained the hour they planned to walk through Central Park. They thought about going to a restaurant or coffee shop but didn’t know if any near them were good. So they spend the hour thinking about it instead of making a decision and enjoying something.

I would highly recommend Don’t Overthink It to anyone who experiences overthinking. It gives lots of situations and some really good solid tips for taking control over your thought life. Just even being exposed to that idea can help a lot – you can be in control of your thoughts!

I went into Don’t Overthink It knowing that I am definitely an overthinker. My nature includes being analytical, logical, and a learner. Much of the time these strengths serve me well. Sometimes I spend so much time on these things I miss opportunities or just experience plain old indecision.

The book includes so many real-world examples and practical tips that help you understand how various aspects of overthinking can affect your life and how to start dealing with it. I know I’ll be rereading soon and revisiting chapters over time.

One example is a section called Complete the Cycle. I remember reading the original blog post the author wrote about this, and it really helped with what should be a pretty easy task for a single person: laundry. Somehow that process would stress me out, and I could never figure out why. I tried the simple idea of just doing one load at a time — wash, dry, and put away before starting the next load — and it made a huge difference. Sure, sometimes that doesn’t work, like when preparing to travel, but most of the time it does. Reading about this again in the book reminded me that I wanted to see if I could identify more opportunities to complete the cycle.

Even if you don’t think you’re an overthinker, this book likely still has plenty to share with you about making decisions and creating a better future.

As a follower of Anne Bogel, through her "lifestyle blog for nerds" Modern Mrs. Darcy due to it's focus on books and reading, I was intrigued when she first announced the topic of her latest book-in-development. I eagerly pre-ordered a copy primarily because of Anne's approach and style. Not only does she offer a fresh view of ordinary every day topics, peppered with personal stories, but her style is easy to read and grasp. This same approach is evident throughout this book.

Don't Overthink It... grabbed my attention from the opening chapter as Anne described her inner debate regarding travel in potentially bad weather. Just days prior, I had gone through this same debate with myself (as I've done numerous times living here in "lake effect" snow country.) From that point on, I continued to read with great interest as I recognized myself, and others close to me, in the various "real life" scenarios which make this book so relatable.

I am an overthinker, prone to wasting way too much time ruminating, so I was naturally drawn to this book and am very appreciative of the strategies Anne shared. For those that don't see themselves in that particular category, Anne goes beyond that specific issue. She offers great insight, practical strategies, and recommended resources on topics such as values based decision-making, perfectionism, simple abundance, and bringing more joy into our lives. Even though the latter topic appears in a number of other places, Anne gives it her own practical and grounded touch.
Many of those ideas, as well as a number of quotes from earlier chapters, are now recorded in my planner for the coming months!

Highly recommended.

FYI - I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and Baker Books on which I based my own honest opinion.

Did I overthink when I should finish this book so that reading the galley didn't count AGAINST my goal to read all black authors in February? Yes, yes I did. But mostly, I'm not an overthinker. So, this book ended up being quite a bit of a revelation to me. Like "wow, I had no idea people struggled this hard with this!" That being said, if you think you might be an overthinker, you'll find lots of great info and actionable tips in here!
As an Anne Bogel fangirl, I was thrilled to be part of the launch team and to receive a galley for this book in order to review it! If you grab a copy before Tuesday, the pre order bonuses are MONEY. Go get you one!

I have now read all of Anne's books, and I am a regular reader of her blog, The Modern Mrs. Darcy, and an avid listener of her podcast What Should I Read Next. All this to say -- I think this is her best book yet!

Don't Overthink It is for anyone who has a tendency to overthink decisions, choices, or how they handled a situation. It is also for those who suffer from chronic or occasional analysis paralysis. Anne offers useful tips and insights to anyone who finds themselves in one of the category described above, or even if you aren't an overthinker, I am sure there are people in your life who are. And, this book can be helpful to you as you interact, live with, or work with these individuals.

Anne has an easily readable style of writer. It often feels as though she is sitting across the table from you engaging you in a conversation. She's genuine, as is her advice and suggestions. Never judging, and always encouraging. And, I appreciate how she shares her own stories of overthinking and analysis paralysis.

I received an e-book ARC, and I read half of that, but I was able to pick up my pre-ordered copy at my local indie bookstore last week, so I finished reading the hard copy book. The book also has helpful reflection questions at the end of each chapter.

If you haven't read any of Anne's books (or if you have) please read this one. The takeaways are numerous, and it will feel like you are discussing your overthinking tendencies with an old friend who understands.

This book has so much good information in it, I think it really could help anyone. I didn't think of myself as an overthinker, but I am a chronic worrier. That tends to lead to overthinking. I also realized I probably do spend more time making decisions than I need to. There were so many helpful tips in this book. I especially enjoyed the chapter on rituals. I am such a creature of habit, and it makes me feel better knowing this can help me declutter my mind. I highly recommend picking up this book. You don't even need to think about it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of review.

Loved this book! Gave great examples of little ways we overthink things every day in our lives and also ways to stop doing that so much!

This book is exactly what I needed! I’m a classic over thinker and this book has great solutions. I will definitely be recommending this book. I’ve already ordered a print copy to have in my home library and keep as a reference.

As a chronic overthinker, I was intrigued to see what Anne Bogel would say on the subject—and she didn’t disappoint! In her approachable style, Anne helps us see that there is hope--change is possible. From research results to personal examples, she details many causes and consequences of overthinking including perfectionism and procrastination. Then she gives strategies to help stop the cycle and change the tape that is on repeat in our minds. One of my favorite parts is the Next Steps at the end of each chapter. These questions help us not only discover our areas of overthinking, but also provide practical suggestions to break the cycle and move forward.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who overthinks or who has someone in their life who overthinks. Don’t overthink it—buy this book!

Phew! Anne Bogel’s amazing new book, Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life, left me with a lot to think about and plenty to celebrate as I reflect on the tips learned and consider what is most important. Thanks to #partner @Netgalley for my early ebook copy; publication date is March 3, 2020. There’s still time - don’t forget to preorder now to support Anne Bogel and to improve your quality of life!

What I loved
Friends, there is so much to love about this book. First of all, I thought Bogel’s perspective on the topic was so positive. Anne Bogel highlights the fact that while many overthinkers do not devote energy or thought into changing this behavior, there are scientific reasons to believe that we can in fact change our thought patterns for the better. I also really appreciated the “next steps” sections throughout the book asking readers to answer some clear, focused questions to guide their reflections. Finally, the focus on actionable items throughout each section was invaluable for me as a person who can become overwhelmed quite easily.

What this book helped me celebrate
While reading Don’t Overthink It did cause some uncomfortable self-examination at times, Bogel’s book also really helped me celebrate some things that are going well right now. As I reflected, I realized that any time I’m putting into things that I value and believe in is time well spent. I also was happy to embrace the idea that distractions are good and that exercise (which makes a HUGE difference for me with my mental health) is worth the time it takes. I also appreciated Bogel’s affirmation that letting go is a good thing and not something that should cause guilt.

What I plan to put in practice
I love the ideas Bogel shares about using a matrix to help with decision making, such as meal preparation and wardrobe planning. This kind of planning is very comforting to me, so I’m reflecting on ways that I can integrate more matrices into my life and my routines. I also love Anne’s tips about completing the cycle whenever possible -- since having children, I find that I often have way too many open loops, so I’m examining ways to close some of those loops when possible. Finally and most significantly, I appreciate the tips about practicing gratitude and using mantras and rituals. I’m now keeping a VERY brief daily journal to help with gratitude, I’m considering which mantras I already subconsciously use, and I’m examining the routines I currently have to examine how they could be transformed into more of a ritual than a routine.

Why you should buy this book
I loved both of Anne Bogel’s other two books, and this one did not disappoint! Even if you’re not a book lover like me, if you find yourself swimming in indecision, spiraling into nonproductive thought patterns, or obsessing over the details of your life (who doesn’t get there from time to time?), then this is the perfect practical guide that can really help you in tangible ways. Be on the lookout for our upcoming episode of Unabridged (www.unabridgedpod.com) where Jen, Sara, and I talk about this book, and let us know your thoughts!

What separates this book from others on decision making is that Anne Bogel focuses on the emotional dimensions of decision making. She recognizes that the biggest barrier to making decisions isn't finding a strategy - it's getting to a point where we are willing to take action.

In this book, Anne focuses on strategies for warding off overthinking. I especially appreciated how she gave several templates for more easily getting to decisions that can be applied to many different situations. For example, she gives examples of how making one decision to prioritize one value can make many other decisions easier, if not automatic. I find most books in this genre to be incredibly repetitive, and thought that this one struck a good balance between being clear in a point using different examples while also being concise.

I most related to Anne's feelings of being paralyzed when faced with simple choices, knowing rationally that it was a waste of time but somehow not being able to move forward. This is the first book where I've truly felt as though the author understood this issue well and had strategies for responding to it.

This is a book that will speak to worriers, perfectionists, and other over thinkers deeply and help to empower them to do great things without overthinking it!

“Don’t Overthink It” by Anne Bogel is a true nugget of wisdom that everyone should read whether you classify yourself as an overthinker or not.
Anne does a beautiful job walking through the signs of overthinking, the negative results that can follow and provides actionable steps to keep you (and your mind) moving forward.
"Don't Overthink It" is chock full of anecdotes, backed by research, making it read more like an easy conversation with a friend rather than just another personal development book.
One of my favorite sections is at the end of each chapter, where Anne provides "Next Steps" for you to process what you read and apply it to your own personal story. There are countless books that provide solutions to life’s struggles, but the true power lies in putting these solutions into action in your own life. This book gives you the opportunity to reflect on the information and provides ways to implement the steps.
“Don’t Overthink It” is a book you will want to highlight, book-dart and dog-ear (if you dare!) to refer to time and time again when you need a little reminder that many decisions do not have to be as hard as we falsely believe. Thank you to NetGalley, Anne Bogel and Baker Books for an advanced e-copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anne Bogel writes about more than just overthinking in her latest work. She writes about the process of overthinking in many situations. I personally didn't think that this book was going to speak to me, I didn't think that I had an overthinking problem. But, I realized that the amount of time that it takes me to choose a restaurant, to the point that my husband hates even talking about eating out with me and so many other situations are really an issue. I look forward to reading this book again and again and applying Anne's realistic advice to my own life. For those familiar with Anne Bogel, she writes in the same voice that she speaks on her podcast, "What Should I Read Next," so her advice is soothing and realistic, very personal.

Thank you to Baker Books for the digital Advance Reading Copy of this book.

I started this book with high expectations and it exceeded them. Anne Bogel has done the legwork in researching why we overthink and answering the question of what can we do about it. She presents this valuable information in a manner that is organized, easy to digest, and practical to apply. It is clear from reading her insights that she has walked this walk and she is able to share what she has learned along the way. This book does not take a one-size-fits-all approach, but instead gives you a variety of tips and strategies to try so you can develop your own personal toolkit for overcoming overthinking. And best of all, you finish the book feeling confident that it can be done. Overthinkers, this is the book we didn't know we needed. Fortunately, Anne Bogel did.

I don’t see myself as an over thinker, I generally feel decisive and confident as I move through life. But wow, now that I have finished this book, I see that might not be an entirely accurate self assessment. As I read this book, I found myself highlighting numerous passages that seemed to speak directly to me. AND I even took notes which I read enthusiastically to anyone who listened to me! This is highly unusual reading behavior for me, but speaks to the relevance of the ideas discussed in the book. The ideas are seemingly simple, but deceptively so, as we rarely give ourselves permission to slow down enough to implement them. In particular, I value the advice to just “buy the flowers” and stop debating about the appropriateness of such a purchase!
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to efficiently make decisions in ways that add value to any overstressed life. In fact, this book would make a lovely gift for your accomplished friend, sister, or sister-in-law as there is advice for everyone to be found within the pages of this very adorable book!

Don't Overthink It .... This should be something I say to myself every day!
Anne Bogel has taken a topic and broken it down so that everyone can learn and apply the lessons she is teaching.
I find myself overthinking, especially on the little decisions. For example what to have for dinner. I struggle with this decision EVERY DAY! The easiest solution to this is to plan out my meals at the beginning of the week, that way when Tuesday rolls around I am not questioning myself...do I take out chicken, or pork chops? It's a silly problem but I overthink it, and make it bigger than it needs to be. Anne has given me many tools to stop this way of thinking, and they are already working!

I received a digital copy of this book from @readbakerbooks and @netgalley in exchange for my review.

I love this new book by Anne Bogel. I’m definitely an over-thinker and this book is full of helpful and practical ideas to stop this type of thinking and make good decisions. I especially appreciate the chapters on using your values to drive your decisions as well as developing habits and rituals to direct your days. I love the author’s style of writing, so personable, helpful and fun! So if you’re an over-thinker too, pick up a copy today!

For those unfamiliar, Anne Bogel is the creator of the bookish universe encompassing the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog and two podcasts, literary matchmaking on What Should I Read Next? and book reviews on One Great Book. I can safely say that, since I discovered her work about 4 years ago, she is probably more responsible for adding books to my TBR shelf (that’s “to be read”, for those that are not up on this lingo) than anyone else. So, now my wife knows exactly who’s to blame for our burgeoning bookshelves. Ha!

Though I could go on about the blog and the podcast, today I want to talk about Anne’s third book, “Don’t Overthink It”, which will be released on March 3rd. In this one, Ms. Bogel takes us on a thought-provoking journey through talks us through the cycle of the chronic overthinker. And boy, did it resonate with me!

Like her two previous (and highly recommended) works, “Reading People” and “I’d Rather Be Reading“, this offering is authentically Anne. Her voice shines through. As I read it, I felt as though I was sitting with her over coffee, discussing both the root causes of overthinking, and strategies to help us overcome the problem. I loved the concrete examples she offered, both from her own life, and from the lives of friends, family, and listeners/readers. From small changes like “complete the cycle” and “everyday indulgences” to big ideas like “live your values” (which sounds easy, but when you evaluate your calendar against what you value, you may find it isn’t), she distills so much worthy information for the reader in this slim volume.

I have always been prone to overthinking. Since I was diagnosed with a chronic illness a decade ago, and as my health has continued to decline, that habit has accelerated. My life is one big decision point. If I attend this event, how much rest will I need? Is there risk of additional pain/fatigue? Do I need extra meds or other accommodations? Which toothbrush will be less painful today? What pants can I button? You get the idea. On top of that, since I’ve been unable to work for the past few years, I’ve been less likely to splurge on anything for myself. After all, I don’t earn income anymore. So, I overthink before I buy even a regular priced book, and frankly, I rarely do.

The questions as the end of each chapter allow the reader to delve more deeply into each principle for themselves. I’ve done some journaling with them, and realized that I often spin far beyond what’s necessary. For example, while chronic illness forces me to weigh clothing options, I can limit my options — and therefore my energy expenditure on getting ready — with a capsule wardrobe. I’ve started working through some of my own income guilt with respect to small indulgences too. And I’m starting to be more intentional about simplifying my routines, while keeping flexibility for life / my illness.

A readable book that inspires real change? That’s just about the best recommendation I can offer. Hope you won’t overthink it, and instead will get yourself a copy on March 3rd. Can’t wait to hear what you think!

I love this book!! There is so much valuable information packed on every page and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Oh how I wish my younger self could have had access to this brilliant advice. I’m gifting this book to all of the women in my life, to help them improve their lives and DON’T OVERTHINK IT!