Hey loves,
I’ve been experiencing a bit of writer’s block lately, as well as a general creative block. I kept asking myself, what on earth do I write about? There’s so much to say, but somehow so little. Everyone’s hopping on the Substack wave (which I love, discovering new writers and bloggers is always inspiring), but part of me worries that whatever I write has already been said.
That it might sound repetitive.
The ‘market’ feels saturated, lowkey.
But then again, maybe that’s just in my head. Because as you’re reading this, you might be thinking, no Jenni, you should write, don’t let anything stop you.
Anyway, in case you didn’t know, I also have a TikTok page. I’ll be honest, I’ve been terrible at posting lately because I’ve been in full jugging mode, and maintaining a balance has been challenging. I’ve been adapting to some life changes that have come as a surprise. Some have been appalling, whilst others have been spectacular. Some chapters in my life have come to a close, whereas others have just begun, which I really look forward to!
Moving through this phase of early adulthood feels unusual, and I've mentioned it before, but particularly in this post-uni season, where I'm stepping into new spaces and routines.
Furthermore, I’ve been dodging TikTok content as well. I don’t have a particular reason, other than procrastination and overthinking about whether my work is ‘good enough’. After having spoken to a few close people who’ve been incredibly supportive, they said it’s all in my head, and I should continue going. If I’m being honest, I’ve felt like quitting, hence using avoidance as my coping strategy, which hasn’t really gotten me anywhere to be honest.
So let’s unpack that.
The concept of overthinking.
Also I’m currently sipping my homemade matcha, and it tastes so good. Ever since I got my matcha kit, I’ve been making it every day. I feel like it beats Blank Street’s, and the best thing is that I can make matcha whenever I feel like it, for free.
I’d highly recommend making it at home. Here’s the link to the kit I use, and I got my syrup from TKMaxx for £4.99.
Such a steal, here's the link in case you wish to buy xxx
So, overthinking, what is it really? Many define it as pondering something for too long, but if we dig deeper, it’s more profound than that. When I used to do therapy, I learnt that overthinking is a quiet art form, something many of us (myself included) have mastered without ever meaning to. It’s how our minds rehearse, rewind, and re-edit moments we wish had unfolded differently.
To some, it’s anxiety. To others, it’s a reflection. However, I think it sits somewhere in between, a search for control in uncertain spaces.
As a generation, we live in a constant state of evaluation. Every text, every pause, every silence becomes a puzzle to decode. We tell ourselves it’s self-awareness, but sometimes it’s just self-interrogation dressed up as caution. There’s a difference between thinking things through and letting your thoughts ambush your mind relentlessly, yet that line blurs more often than we’d like to admit.
Still, I don’t think overthinking is entirely destructive. It’s evidence of sensitivity, empathy, and care. The same mind that spirals at night often notices beauty in others, the tone behind someone’s words, the detail in a conversation, the lesson in a mistake.
Maybe the challenge isn’t to stop overthinking, but to refine it, to turn excessive reflection into intentional thought.
Why do we overthink? Is it fear of losing control? As a bit of a perfectionist, that’s a massive part of it. When something’s out of my control, it used to make me feel powerless. Over time, though, I’ve realised that’s not true; it simply means the outcome isn’t mine to dictate.
Another reason people might overthink? To protect themselves from harm, disappointment, or embarrassment.
For instance, let’s say you’re speaking to a new guy and he takes two hours to respond. Not ideal. Especially if he hasn’t communicated what he’s doing in that time that you're waiting for a reply, so you start spiralling.
You start overthinking.
He’s probably talking to other girls, he’s ignoring me, he’s not that into me. What if he ghosts me?
Then comes the internal retaliation: I’ll wait two hours to reply too.
I’ve been there and done that (don’t worry, it happens to the best of us).
I get it, I really do. But it shouldn’t have to be that way. We should be comfortable communicating openly with people we’re interested in and be shameless about it.
Actually, ‘shameless’ may not even be the right word, because why should there be shame in sincerity? Why is honesty seen as a weakness when it’s the most genuine thing you can give? And that’s where it circles back to that overthinking.
No one likes overthinking, but I think it’s comforting because it gives the illusion of control, like if we replay something enough times, we can somehow change the ending.
Maybe our minds are just overstimulated.
We’re used to instant feedback, instant news, instant validation, so silence feels threatening.
But here’s the truth: it’s okay not to have every answer immediately.
Running from an emotion only prolongs it. If something bothers you, allow yourself to feel it until you can pick yourself up again.
Recently, my cousin said she doesn’t believe in “thugging things out” anymore, and honestly, same. That whole “power through the pain” mentality? It’s exhausting. Some days you’re allowed to rest. Some days you’re allowed to not be okay.
What’s this unwritten rule that you need to battle through your pain, misery or turmoil? I’ve had my moments where I’ve laid in bed in the complete dark all day with my curtains shut, and nobody hears from me all day.
We’ve built a culture where self-awareness is treated like currency. But at what cost? We can analyse everything, but we still struggle to exist.
Maybe peace doesn’t come from quieting your mind completely, but from learning which thoughts deserve your time.
With love and curiosity,
Just Jenni
this is soooo relatable 😩 i love the vulnerability and transparency!!
SHE’S BACK🥳🥳such a relatable read🥹