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!

"This book is for those of us who, like me, would like to look back one day and declare that our lived were well lived."  As always, when I'm reading Anne Bogel's work I come away with the warmth of a friendly conversation at my kitchen table; the sensation of good advice given freely and with care.  Analysis-paralysis, overthinking, rumination, procrastination are all bugbears of everyday life for the author, for myself, and many of her readers.  Written simply yet eloquently, Anne takes the time to walk us through sound strategies and subtle shifts to free up space in our minds and in our lives.  By examining our lives and our values, we can then draw some loose parameters to encompass those small (sometimes large!) decisions that often take over our minds and get back to enjoying our lives.

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!

I overthink most things.  I wrestle with decisions that should be easy, I gather more information than necessary, I linger or am paralyzed with choices that are inconsequential.  

Inadvertently I have created a habit of overthinking. In my mind this practice had become my new normal and there was nothing to be done.  I found myself hanging on to overthinking like it was a favorite blanket instead of a practice I can and should leave behind. 

Enter Anne Bogel with her latest book. Anne reminds me that I don’t have to be a chronic overthinker anymore. I can change and take control of my thoughts. I can create new habits, rituals, and rhythms.

“You are not doomed to a life of overthinking.” Anne Bogel

Friends, we can change. We can make our thoughts our allies, instead of allowing them to sabotage us and keep us from living free.  

The important topic of this new book was one reason I was so excited. Another reason I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book is that I am a raving fan of Anne Bogel. Anne’s style, wisdom, and relatability are as good as gold to me.

Anne Bogel, via her writing on Modern Mrs Darcy, her book I’d Rather Be Reading and Reading People, and her What Should I Read Next podcast points women to claiming a life well lived.  Her latest book Don’t Overthink It is no different.  In it she shares why overthinking is a problem for our (especially women) health and wellness, as well as strategies and practices to overcome overthinking.  

In it we learn how to identify if we are overthinking, why overthinking is not beneficial, and then how to change.  Anne offers us stories with strategies and practices that will give us mental energy and time back. Hallelujah!  

Some of my favorite ideas from Don’t Overthink It provide the framework for breaking power of perfectionism, making decisions, asking for help, transforming routines into rituals, and adding daily simple joys. 

The value of ridding our lives of overthinking is tremendous.  Our actions can have a ripple effect, going beyond their impact on just us.  Anne rightly reminds us that with each action we take we vote for the kind of people we want to be and the world we want to live in.  The idea is to enjoy peace and contentment from a live well-lived and to make a difference in the lives of others. Worthy endeavors!

Anne Bogel’s book helps us right where we need it. She brilliantly articulates what we have been feeling and gives us the framework to go forward. There is a wealth of ideas in the book for you to discover and practice to achieve the change you desire.

“Trust the process, and get ready for your next step.” Anne Bogel

I invite you to not overthink it. Take action and grab your copy of Don’t Overthink It. Choose the actions you wish to take from the many suggestions in the book. Invite a friend to join you in your journey. Day by day, keep on your journey to putting overthinking aside and living free.

I received an ARC of this book as a pre-order bonus when I pre-purchased the physical book and joined the launch team.  Don’t Overthink It is a fantastic and engaging book!  Anne provides plenty of relatable stories and practical tips for the over-thinker in all of us.  From debating the small purchases to determining whether or not the splurge is worth it and everything in-between, this book helps every step of the way!  The guided questions are helpful in identifying what further steps we can take to break the habit of overthinking, and the recommended reading list is an excellent resource to have!    This was a great book and I felt encouraged after reading it.

The subtitle of Anne Bogel’s new book Don’t Overthink It gets at the heart of the message: “make easier decisions, stop second-guessing, and bring more joy to your life.” Bogel fills the book with insight and encouragement, highlighting the thought patterns of overthinking, giving practical guidelines to evaluate your own thought processes and strategies for improving them.
As an overthinker myself, I was excited to read this book for some perspective. Bogel provides personal examples to illustrate her points and to help you understand the deeper meaning in your own thought life. She gives meaningful strategies to help you formulate decisions based on your own values and reduce the risk of second-guessing once a decision is made. The “next steps” offered throughout the book are questions to think through, which will provide you insight into what’s important and how you can ultimately bring more peace and joy to your life. I highly recommend this book to anyone, whether they are a chronic overthinker or just an occasional one.

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!

Anne Bogel has quickly become my favorite blogger, author, and podcast host. “Don’t Overthink It” gets into the process of overthinking, why we do it, and ways we can stop. Bogel's conversation on overthinking is both relatable and informative, complete with anecdotes and an index full of references for further reading. The style of writing is such that I feel as if I’m hanging out chatting with Anne over her kitchen counter. I found myself laughing, nodding to myself, and feeling incredibly seen by the descriptions in this book. Even if you don't consider yourself an overthinker you will come away with a better understanding of what overthinking is and more than a few ideas to help if you do find yourself in these pages.

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!

Anne Bogel unpacks what it means to be an Overthinker, but more importantly, gives strategies for addressing the personal roadblocks that block our ability to make decisions.  Reading this book seems like having a chat with a dear friend over coffee.  I felt  like Anne was talking directly to me as she discussed perfectionism, values-guided decision making, and being good to myself so that I can be good to others.

Thanks to partner NetGalley for the digital ARC of Anne Bogel’s Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life. The book releases on March 3.

I learned so much from Anne Bogel’s new, brilliant book Don’t Overthink It. (One thing I learned is the likely reason I have procrastinated writing this review: as a perfectionist, I want my review to be perfect, and since I know I can never fully communicate just how relevant and powerful I found the book, I just keep putting off beginning my review. But, I’m writing it. That means progress past perfectionism, right?!)

Anne Bogel is, herself, an epic overthinker, and she therefore weaves real-life examples of overthinking and its consequences into her book: “Before long, I’m snared in the too-familiar spin cycle of overthinking, unable to focus on anything else. I know the signs: lots of mental action, none of it constructive, all the while knowing I have better things to do. All my mental energy is consumed by the forecast—which I can’t do a thing about—instead of the things that actually need my attention” (loc 143). She shares one example in which dithering in the grocery store about whether to buy flowers—and, if so, which ones—left her (1) without flowers and (2) without another key ingredient she needed to pick up. So much of her brain power went to overthinking a small, simple decision that she didn’t have the mental space necessary to take care of what she actually needed to do. It’s these kinds of examples, which she uses both to begin each chapter and to drive home points throughout each new principle, that helped me as a reader to see both how relevant this book is and the consequences of overthinking in my own life.

Looking back at my galley, I have a highlight on almost every page. There’s a lot to discover here (and there’s joy in the discovery), but I found powerful her advice about perfectionism, about routine and ritual, and about values-based decision making. Anne is great both at helping readers to identify their own overthinking habits and also at offering solutions that we can implement immediately. Her ideas are backed up by research, but the facts never encroach on the warmth that characterizes everything Anne does, whether it’s her podcast, her blog, or one of her three phenomenal nonfiction books.

I learned so much from Don’t Overthink It . . . and had so many uncomfortable moments of recognition and reflection and growth. These learning experiences meant that I was experiencing the truth of Anne Bogel’s ideas and writing. I think this book is great both for those who overthink themselves OR who have an overthinker in their lives (I’m definitely going to share this book with my husband!). I highly recommend Anne Bogel’s Don’t Overthink It—don’t dither! Pre-order today. :)

“When we harness a values-driven decision-making process, we can proactively allocate our resources for the things that matter most to us.”  

I love Anne Bogel’s books, Modern Mrs. Darcy blog and podcast, so when I heard she had a new book coming out, I preordered it as soon as I could. As a preorder bonus, I received a digital copy.

As a recovering perfectionist and procrastinator, Don’t Overthink feels like it was written specifically for me. This is more than just a book that helps over-thinkers stop overthinking.  It encourages the reader to think about what matters most to us, what our “core values” are, and how being mindful of them can make big and small decisions a lot less stressful.

Anne shares real life anecdotes about the times in her life that she has found herself overthinking, what the consequences were, and how those decisions would be easier thanks to the techniques outlined in the book.
The concepts are not new ones - finishing what we start, being mindful, focusing on abundance and gratitude - but they are presented as a reminder of how we can make decisions while being tuned into what matters most to us.
I highly recommend this compulsively readable, beautifully written book.

I love Anne Bogel and her podcast What Should I Read Next, so I eagerly pre-order all her books. Grateful to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this one early!

I don't feel I often struggle too much with overthinking, but I still appreciated this book and the strategies it provided. Anne uses personal examples throughout the book that are easy to identify with. And I love a good "next steps" section at the end of a chapter--that almost guarantees I'll come back to the book when I need it. When I get my physical copy, I'll be putting book darts in all the places I think I might return to in the future.

When I first heard about Don’t Overthink It, the book sounded like it was written for me.  I spend a lot of time overthinking decisions and often never arrive on any concrete answers (or by the time I come up with an answer, my action is no longer needed).   This book gave me so many different ways to approach and banish my overthinking that my early release digital copy is heavily highlighted!  When I finished the book I felt very positive, because I knew that it was already having an effect on my life. The questions at the end of each chapter also help the reader focus on how certain ideas will work and I’ve already recommended the book to several friends.  I can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy that I pre-ordered.  I plan to put it in a prominent place so the beautiful cover will remind me not to overthink, or so I can grab the book for quick ideas to keep me moving forward.