Don’t Cage Yourself
An intelligent person can rationalize anything. It's one of the classic traits of an overthinker. But one of the greatest dangers of overthinking is that you can end up rationalizing yourself into a cage. One built from doubt, fear of failure, fear of judgment, endless “what-ifs,” and dramatic imagined consequences. Over time, this thought spiral breeds a pessimistic, limiting mentality that leans toward defeatism. Confidence fades, self-belief erodes, and you begin making excuses for why you failed or why you never really tried at all. Before you know it, you've caged yourself and severely limited not only your chances of success, but also your opportunities to grow.
What many people don’t realize is that they’re not all that different from the person sitting across from them. We all share similar problems, intelligence, insecurities, capabilities, and potential. They are not special. They don’t have anything you don’t, and they certainly don’t have all the answers. Most people are just doing their best and trying to figure it out along the way. They simply show up everyday, put in the effort, trust the process, and learn as they go.
The reason that they may seem more put-together, capable, or confident often comes down to the compounding benefits of self-belief. If you believe you’re destined to fail, that belief alone can sabotage you. And even if you succeed, you might still chalk it up to luck or circumstance, rather than your own merit. You don’t end up learning or even trying, you don’t accumulate valuable experiences and life lessons, and you remain trapped and stagnant in your cage.
But if you simply believe in your ability to succeed and your ability to get back up when you fail, then you have given yourself the freedom to grow. You’ll be able to take risks with confidence, make and grow from mistakes, relish and lean into successes, and ultimately push yourself forward. Don’t underestimate the reality-bending power of believing in yourself. Your mindset can either be the prison that holds you back or the key that sets you free.