Why is it that we fear the uncharted, the new? I wrestle with this question often. Every time I step into unfamiliar territory, my instinct is to turn to my laptop, fingers racing across the keyboard, scouring every possible detail, every potential outcome. I crave certainty—anything to put my mind at ease.

The funny thing is, our minds are wired to protect us. It’s a failsafe, designed to keep us from being reckless. But sometimes, that protective instinct can be overbearing, leading to hesitation, anxiety, and even full-blown panic. I know this all too well—I’ve had to work through it firsthand.

I have a tendency to over-dramatize situations, playing out worst-case scenarios that discourage me from taking the leap. This, I’ve realized, is a closed-off mindset. But how do you break free from something so deeply ingrained? It’s hard—believe me, I’m still working on it.

We often hear that the heart and mind are in constant battle: what the heart wants versus what the mind deems safe. But in reality, they work as one. The mind anticipates, strategizes, and protects the heart from disappointment. Yet, in doing so, it can also limit us. Rather than considering what could go right, our minds instinctively fixate on what could go wrong, overshadowing any thoughts of possibility and success.

I’ve seen this pattern in many areas of my life. In my career growth, I used to hesitate to reach out to colleagues, network, or apply for opportunities. I convinced myself that I wasn’t capable, that no one would help me. This self-doubt mindset was a major roadblock. But recently, I’ve challenged myself to break free from that limiting belief. I started applying for career opportunities, reaching out, and stepping into spaces I once thought were beyond me. And to my surprise, I landed an opportunity I had always dreamed of.

Even in everyday life, overanalyzing has stolen moments of joy. Overthinking and anxiety set unrealistic expectations—expectations that, when unmet, lead to disappointment. Take a simple example: a late-night coffee shop visit. I once spent an absurd amount of time debating a 19-minute drive, researching the menu, checking reviews—trying to justify if it was “worth it.” Instead of simply going and letting the experience unfold, I had already predetermined how I would feel about it. This need to control an outcome can apply to any aspect of life—when we invest too much energy into pre-planning every detail, we create expectations that may never be met.

When we label an experience before it even happens, we box ourselves in, limiting our ability to simply be present. Worse, these thoughts can seep into our emotions, making us pouty or disappointed before giving an experience a chance.

I’m sure you can apply this to your own life in some way—it’s a daily effort, a conscious mission.