As overthinkers, our minds hold our thoughts in high regard. It makes sense, because as overachievers, our thoughts have brought us a lot of success. But sometimes, our thoughts paralyze us.

Okay, so we’ve been given a brain akin to a nasty social media algorithm. What do we do about it?

What does it mean to “let go” of thoughts? This phrase comes up all the time in therapy. Picture yourself 5 minutes into a mindfulness meditation, and the whispery-voiced therapist says, “Notice the thought, and let it go.”

Discover two processes (noticing the thought and categorization) that help create psychological distance from the thought, so we can begin to view thoughts as simply - thoughts.

Why does this inner critic exist? What is it doing in your head besides torturing you? We can imagine the inner critic as an over-tuned, too effective part of the threat defense system.