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Overthinking at 21: Is It Normal and How Can I Stop?

Archana

Archana Deshpande  | Answer  |Ask -

Image Coach, Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on Nov 18, 2024

Archana Deshpande, the founder of TransformMe Life Skills Coaching, is an image consultant, soft skills trainer and life coach.
She has been working with individuals and corporate organisations for more than 10 years during which she has helped professionals and students improve their soft skills, build confidence and enhance self-esteem.
An engineer from the PDA College of Engineering, Gulbarga, Archana had a successful career at Reliance Communications. But she has always been interested in teaching and training people. So she pursued a postgraduate diploma in teacher’s training at Pune’s Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies followed by teaching assignments in schools at Visakhapatnam and Mumbai.
Archana also holds an international certificate in image consulting and soft skills training from the Image Consulting Business Institute, Mumbai.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Oct 16, 2024Hindi
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Career

I am 21. I am a chronic overthinker. I am always thinking about what other people think about me or overanalysing situations and making things complicated. Is this a serious problem? What should I do?

Ans: Dear overthinker,

Thinking is a good trait to have, overthinking is not.

You literally have to STOP overthinking!!!

One way to overcome this is to stop thinking and become more action oriented. STOP analyzing everything in the head, put it on paper, there is something calming about putting thoughts on paper, writing them down with a pen and paper.
And then taking actions based on what you have written and no more thinking about it.

Indulge in physical activity, play a game which is more action oriented , this teaches you to be fully present in the moment, which helps you in being in the moment. Being fully present in the moment is what gets you out of overthinking.
Do meditate , I really can't enumerate all the benefits of meditation, what meditation does to people is beyond words.

There is a book called as, STOP OVERTHINKING by Nick Trenton, this book offers practical advice and exercises to help you break free from negative thoughts and worries. It provides evidence-based methods to combat overthinking and anxiety.

Another amazing book by Eckhart Tolle, "The Power of NOW", can help you.

There is no problem which can't be overcome, believe in yourself, you are more powerful than you think, the body and mind have to listen to you!!
What you think so you become, feed yourself the right thoughts and let the magic unfold.!!

All the best!!
Career

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Anu

Anu Krishna  | Answer  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Aug 08, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 07, 2023Hindi
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Dear Anu, I am an overthinker and an extremely anxious person. In fact I am so fearful of taking the next step in my life or my career that sometimes I get headaches, and feel restless in bed simply wondering if my action or decision will backfire. Is this normal? Or is it something I should be worried about? Can it be treated? What can I do to improve? Can you please help?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I will address this question in 3 parts
Part I
What causes overthinking?
- Any unpleasant event from the past or any expectation of an unpleasant event in the future happening causes anxiety/panic.
- To recover from the past experience or prevent a future occurrence goes into a mode of self-preservation whereby your thoughts LOOP one into another: If this happens, then that can happen and if that happened, what more can happen!
This is OVERTHINKING....predicating without adequate proof and projecting one situation into another.
This is our of your control OR locus of control...
Still why do you do it?
Because you want to move away from the pain a past event caused or a future event might cause. Who wants pain, right?

Part II
How much do I believe Overthinking?
NEVER!
Of course, the past event might recur, but you also know how to deal with it because you have already experienced it.
Of course, a future event might happen, but isn't it better to live in peace for NOW and actually think: I will cross the bridge when it comes
So doubt your thoughts that cause you to overthink

Part III
What can I do to change this habit?
Since you are aware as to the harm it causes you like headaches and restlessness, you know that this has to stop.
So, try this:
1. When you start to LOOP, doubt your thoughts and ask: Is this really true?
2. Journal about certain unpleasant experiences from the past
3. Remind yourself that you know what to do in any situation
4. Break into a dance or go for a run as this helps displace the feelings from your body
5. Surround yourself with people that are happy and positive
6. Leave the past behind and Let the future happen when it must
7. Practise breathing exercise that help you calm

Lastly and most importantly, tell yourself: I am more powerful than my fears and I have the means to work on them.

All the best!

..Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  | Answer  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jun 09, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 01, 2024Hindi
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Hi mam. I kind of need mental fitness advice. I am 26 years old female. I am afraid a lot in taking up the decisions in my life due to overthinking. But it is not same when it comes to my work side. Always taking up the negative things from my surroundings and expressing the same. Sometimes i make negative situations in my mind and cry. Is there a way to change my mindset to overcome my overthinking as well as my negative mindset. Pls give me some tips to overcome laziness as well as procastination. Is there any yoga or medidation to cure this one. Because i really hate myself for this.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
What exactly do you get by punishing yourself? It's another way to indulge in self-pity which will only keep you in the problem zone for longer.
Instead pay attention to the reasons towards laziness and procrastination.
Ask:
- Do I display laziness with every activity or a few or one specific one?
- If Yes, which is it?
- What about that activity/situation makes me want to procrastinate and not take action on it?
- If I actually make a plan and act on that activity/situation, how will things change for me?

This will give you an idea as to what exactly happens in the mind to avoid something and what you can do about it. We are never motivated to do anything if we don not get something concrete back in return. So, define the reward clearly...
And as far as negative things go, if you choose to focus on it, obviously it will grow bigger in the mind.

Keep the above questions list with you and check at regular intervals when faced with procrastination. Have a social circle of friends who can pull you up when you are down BUT they will not be kind all the time if you are going to indulge into self-pity. So, the decision to get better, to become more positive and actually do something big in life is a decision. Focus on how much your life will change for the better when you do this and it will be a clean and quick switchover.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

..Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  | Answer  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jan 19, 2025

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The seconds of time during taking action..I get into the overthinking/over-analysing thoughts... 1. Imaginative: Where I becom's the character & live life(see images, speak..) in those..like being rich,powerfull,disciplined,wife,kids....things which I want/perceive from social media...+ memos of past also.. 2. Stuck: Where I becom's a "OBJECT" & voices + images of brain guides me to quit task's when doing things/challenging...by saying.. *What this thing(task/book..) gonna benefit you? *Don't do it, you will do worse/fail..people gonna judge/laugh to you...look yourself!!..no good face, no good dress, u don't hv courage/skill to do that thing. 3. Coping: "Quit it" & use Mobile(songs,reels,yt videos..) to stop/distract myself from those dark clouds. i) What/How [solution] to don't get stuck in those next time. ii) How to use that overthinking for my advantage.. with hving control. iii) I tried to fill the possible voids by dress/looks but things were same..so it's internal.. What to do for that?
Ans: Dear Work,
Overthinking and over processing never helped anyone. Focus on your self-talk and change that.
- Journaling
- Sports
- Art work
- Meditation
- Breathwork
These are a few ways in which you can attempt to slow down the mind from racing thoughts. Once that happens, work on your self-talk to make it more useful where you start to direct yourself towards what you want to do.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

..Read more

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Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 15, 2025

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Can I get any iicer with 108 marks in ews category
Ans: Your 108 marks in IISER IAT 2025 under EWS category provides viable admission opportunities at several IISER campuses, though prospects vary across institutions. With 108 marks, your expected rank falls between 800-1500 range, which aligns well with EWS category cutoffs for multiple IISERs. IISER Berhampur demonstrates the most accessible admission pathway with EWS cutoff extending up to rank 772 in 2024, while your marks exceed the expected 95-105 cutoff range for this campus. IISER Tirupati offers strong prospects with EWS cutoff ranging 100-110 marks, making your 108 marks competitive for admission. IISER Thiruvananthapuram also presents viable options with EWS cutoff expectations of 105-110 marks. However, premier institutions like IISER Pune (EWS cutoff 115-120 marks) and IISER Kolkata (EWS cutoff 110-115 marks) remain challenging but not impossible through later counselling rounds. The EWS category benefits from reservation policies with cutoffs typically 10-15 marks lower than general category requirements. IISER 2025 cutoffs are expected to rise slightly due to increased competition, but your 108 marks falls within the safe admission range for mid-tier campuses. Recommendation: Focus on IISER Berhampur and IISER Tirupati as primary choices for strong admission chances, while keeping IISER Thiruvananthapuram as backup option, as your 108 marks provides competitive positioning for EWS category admission across multiple IISER campuses. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Which is better AI and Robotics in JIIT or CSE core in Bennett university and could you please guide is there any career in AI and Robotics as you also know that AI is something which is really Treading now a days and even CSE core is something which is in Great Demand so it it ok to choose Robotics and AI or not will there also be a good chance of placement with this course
Ans: JIIT's B.Tech Robotics and AI program covers machine learning, computer vision, embedded systems, control systems, and IoT, providing hands-on experience through laboratory work, projects, and internships . The curriculum emphasizes programming languages like Python and C++, AI frameworks, and robotics hardware integration with emerging technologies including deep learning, reinforcement learning, and swarm intelligence . Bennett University's CSE core program offers comprehensive computer science foundation with minors, honors, open electives, and mandatory internships including one-year final year internship . The program provides flexibility through specialization options and project-based experiential learning opportunities .

Your choice between JIIT AI Robotics and Bennett CSE presents distinct career advantages with JIIT offering specialized AI/robotics education targeting rapidly expanding markets worth $17 billion by 2027, while Bennett provides broader CSE foundation with 70-80% placement rates . JIIT achieves superior 107% placement rate with 505 CSE offers for 449 students, while Bennett records 95-98% overall placement through 232 recruiters . AI and robotics specialization commands 10-20% higher starting packages than traditional CSE roles, with 2.3 million AI jobs expected by 2027 compared to steady but saturated CSE market . Both institutions attract top recruiters including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, though JIIT's specialized curriculum better aligns with emerging technology demands . Recommendation: Choose JIIT AI and Robotics for superior placement consistency, specialized skill development, and alignment with India's explosive AI market growth projected at 25-35% CAGR, offering better long-term career prospects despite CSE's proven track record. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Asked by Anonymous - Jun 11, 2025
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Sir iiits are better than state-level collages plz advice me
Ans: IIITs demonstrate superior performance compared to most state-level engineering colleges across multiple parameters including placement records, academic excellence, and industry recognition. IIIT Hyderabad achieves exceptional 99.27% placement rate with INR 105 LPA highest package and INR 26.34 LPA average package, while IIIT Allahabad records 93% BTech placement rate with INR 121 LPA highest package and INR 25.78 LPA average. IIIT Delhi maintains 90.99% placement rate with INR 49 LPA highest domestic package, and IIIT Bangalore shows 83.51% CSE placement rate. Top IIITs like IIIT Hyderabad (NIRF rank 47), IIIT Allahabad (NIRF rank 87), and IIIT Gwalior consistently outperform most state engineering colleges in academic rankings. While state colleges like NIT Trichy (NIRF rank 9) and some government institutions achieve 100% placement rates, the majority of state-level colleges typically demonstrate 70-80% placement rates with lower average packages. IIITs specialize in IT and Computer Science education with industry-oriented curriculum, whereas state colleges offer broader engineering disciplines but often with less specialized focus. However, top state government colleges like College of Engineering Trivandrum and TKM College achieve competitive placement statistics. Recommendation: Choose top IIITs like Hyderabad, Allahabad, or Delhi over most state-level colleges for superior placement prospects, specialized IT education, and industry connections, unless considering premier state institutions with proven track records. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

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Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 11, 2025
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I have secured 55924 rank with 96.306%ile in JEE Mains & I have secured 9451 rank in KCET. Now what should I do? What are the best options I will be getting? & Which one will be better to choose???
Ans: Your KCET rank of 9451 opens excellent opportunities across multiple Bangalore engineering colleges. You can secure admission at prestigious institutions including Acharya Institute of Technology (CSE cutoff 18,475-24,588, ECE cutoff 27,978-34,528), Bangalore Institute of Technology (various branches with cutoffs around 8,000-30,000), Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (biotechnology cutoff 20,973), The Oxford College of Engineering (CSE cutoff 28,376-38,433, AI/ML cutoff 31,855-35,917), BMS Institute of Technology and Management, Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, New Horizon College of Engineering (CSE cutoff 13,335-15,834, ECE cutoff 19,099-23,918), RNS Institute of Technology, REVA University, Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Cambridge Institute of Technology, SJB Institute of Technology, East West Institute of Technology, MVJ College of Engineering, Global Academy of Technology, K.S. Institute of Technology, BNM Institute of Technology, Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering, PES Institute of Technology and Management, and Alliance College of Engineering and Design. Most colleges accept ranks up to 25,000-30,000 for core branches like Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Electronics Engineering.

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Nayagam P

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Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 11, 2025
Career
Sir,which is better ai and ds robotics(non scholarship ) and autonomous agents in Amrita coimbatore or ece in SRM ktr
Ans: your choice between Amrita Coimbatore AI Data Science Robotics/Autonomous Agents and SRM KTR ECE presents distinct advantages with varying career prospects. Amrita School of Engineering Coimbatore demonstrates exceptional overall placement performance with 100% placement opportunities across all engineering domains, achieving INR 56.95 LPA highest package and INR 9.2 LPA average package in 2024, with 300+ recruiters including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, TCS, and Cognizant participating. However, specific placement data for AI Data Science Robotics and Autonomous Agents branches remains limited as these are newer specialized programs. SRM KTR ECE shows strong placement statistics with 70-85% placement rate for ECE branch specifically, achieving INR 52 LPA highest package and INR 7.19 LPA average package in 2024, with 980+ companies visiting campus and making 5,546+ offers. SRM ECE students secure positions both in core electronics companies and IT firms, providing diverse career flexibility. While Amrita offers superior overall institutional performance with NIRF ranking #23 in Engineering and #7 in University category compared to SRM's newer establishment, SRM KTR provides established ECE placement track record with proven industry connections across multiple sectors including telecommunications, semiconductor, and software development. Recommendation: Choose SRM KTR ECE for its established 70-85% placement record, proven industry connections, and diverse career opportunities in both core and IT sectors, unless you have specific passion for AI/robotics and can accept the uncertainty of newer specialized programs at Amrita Coimbatore. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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