There is so much power in a pause—not just from our mouths, but from our minds.
Before walking this path, I was always thinking and talking too much. Worried that I wasn’t going to get what I wanted or that I would lose what I had, my mind and mouth were always running. Part of it was my desire to control the uncontrollable—people, places, and things around me. And part of it was that I didn’t trust myself, or that I was enough or had done enough.
My overthinking and overtalking would kick in, exhausting me and causing my mind to spiral as I tried to figure out every possible angle. I had to learn to trust myself—and the footwork I had done. I had to believe that I, and it, were enough.
The Root of the Noise
Reaching that point took a lot of work. When I stepped onto this path, I realized that I didn’t trust myself or believe I was enough in any way that counted. To counteract that feeling, I overthought and overtalked, hoping to appear prepared and to prove I had something of value to add. But in reality, I was only closing myself off from the world.
I was so determined to think and talk my way through life that I wasn’t listening, observing, or just being in the moment. It’s in those quiet spaces where we learn and take in the most. Not knowing how to calm my mind, I let it—and my mouth—run wild, assuming I’d hit the mark eventually if I just kept shooting in the general direction. I wasted a lot of energy shooting in the dark.
Learning to Trust Myself
Learning to love myself and to accept that I was enough became the turning point. It became less important to prove that to others. I knew I was enough, and that was enough.
I learned to slow down—through breathing, pausing, and listening. It’s amazing what we learn when we listen and allow ourselves to not know everything. I committed to saying yes to new things, to learning what I truly liked, rather than assuming or condemning something before even trying it. Once I opened myself up, I realized how little I did know.
The answers tend to come in those quiet spaces—in the moments when we stop, find some peace, and just be. And finding that peace took time and trust. I had always felt I had good intuition, so I began to connect with that place, practicing it daily. When I’m uncertain about the next right thing, I go there to listen for the answers. They don’t always come when I’d like, but they do when they’re meant to.
I also discovered the magic of writing. When I sit and write how I feel, I’m always amazed at the insights that emerge. The answers begin to form right before my eyes.
The Power of Listening
Today, I often find myself quiet—not because I don’t have anything to say, but because I know something better might come if I just listen. And when I know I’ve done what I can, I let it go and allow it to unfold as it’s meant to. I don’t get in the way or continue doing the work I’ve already done, hoping I can force the outcome. I’ve learned the hard way that I cannot.
Allow yourself to listen and find the answers. None of us knows everything, and you might be amazed at what’s right in front of you, showing you the way. Leave room for exploration, humility, and direction. You might be surprised at what you discover if you step aside and let it in.
SLAY OF THE DAY:
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Do you tend to overthink and overtalk? How does it show up for you?
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Why do you think you do this? Have you always done it?
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How does it harm you? How can you create space today to pause and just listen?
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When have answers come to you because you allowed yourself to be quiet? Write down an example.
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Remember: when we let go and listen, we give the answers space to come in.
Call to Action: Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you.
What’s one way you’ll practice quieting your mind and listening for the answers today?
Share your story in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on.
And if you know someone who struggles with overthinking or overtalking, send this to them.
Sometimes, all we need is a nudge.
