You ever rewrite the same text five times, then delete it anyway? Or stay up at night wondering if you sounded weird in that meeting? Welcome to the club and welcome to National Overthinkers Day, held every year on September 19.
Created by therapist and speaker Whitney Coleman, LICSW, LCSW-C this day honors the anxious achievers, the people-pleasers, and the “what-if” warriors. It’s not just a cheeky hashtag—it’s a soft place to land. A space to pause, laugh, breathe, and say “same” out loud. Whether you spiral in silence or stress-text your group chat, this day is for you.
History of National Overthinkers Day
Overthinking is often brushed off as “just worrying too much.” But let’s be real—when your brain turns into a group chat of conflicting thoughts, it’s more than that. For many, overthinking is a full-time habit. Replaying conversations. Imagining every possible way something could go wrong. Reading into punctuation like it’s code. It’s exhausting and it doesn’t require a clinical diagnosis to be real.
You don’t need a therapist to tell you that your thoughts are loud. Or that you’re carrying emotional weight in silence. Overthinking can show up in people who look like they “have it all together,” especially high-achievers, caregivers, perfectionists, and those who’ve had to stay one step ahead just to feel safe.
National Overthinkers Day was created to say: we see you. And you’re not alone.
Founded by therapist Whitney Coleman, LICSW, LCSW-C the holiday was born out of hundreds of conversations that all circled back to the same quiet question: “Is it just me?” From “Did I say too much?” to “What if they misunderstood?”—the answer is almost always no. It’s not just you. It never was.
That’s the power of naming it. When we name what we’re experiencing, we break the shame loop. When we see others share their spirals, it makes space for our own. Over the years, more people have started using humor, storytelling, and vulnerability to talk about anxiety and overthinking—not just as a mental health issue, but as a deeply human one.
National Overthinkers Day is part of that movement. It’s not about pathologizing what you feel. It’s about interrupting the spiral with compassion. Whether through therapy or a breath-and-text check-in with a friend, this day is designed to be gentle and practical.
Because here’s the thing: you don’t need to fix your brain to feel better. You just need to stop blaming yourself for how it works. This day helps you do exactly that with humor, healing, and community.
National Overthinkers Day timeline
Post-war research begins to formally study anxiety and PTSD as psychological conditions, though it's often stigmatized and misunderstood.
The American Psychiatric Association officially classifies anxiety disorders (Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), opening doors for deeper research and treatment.
Pop culture starts naming “overthinking” as a relatable experience, especially for women, caregivers, and perfectionists.
With the rise of social media and mental health influencers, conversations about spiraling thoughts and burnout become more public, normalized, and accepted.
The COVID-19 Pandemic brings global levels of uncertainty and stress, causing a spike in overthinking and the need for accessible mental health tools.
September 19 is designated as a day to pause the spiral, reflect with compassion, and give anxious minds the reset they deserve.
10 Ways to Observe National Overthinkers Day
1. The Thought Dump Challenge
2. Share a Spiral Story
3. Do a 60-Second Body Check-In
4. Gift a Grounding Tool
5. Say the Thing
6. Host a No-Fix Listening Circle
7. Try the CALM Framework
8. Create an Overthinkers Playlist
9. Turn Off Notifications for 2 Hours
10. Reflect with a Journal Prompt
Ask: What would I say to a friend who’s thinking like me right now? Then write yourself the answer. (And yes, get a beautiful journal to do it at jadeclinical.com.)
National Overthinkers Day FAQs
What’s National Overthinkers Day?
Who created National Overthinkers Day?
What does overthinking actually look like?
Isn’t overthinking just being thoughtful?
Why September 19?
Can workplaces or schools participate?
National Overthinkers Day Activities
Post your most relatable overthinking moment
Drop it on Instagram, X, or TikTok and use the hashtag #OverthinkersDay. Bonus points if it includes a laugh.
Try the 4-step thought reset
Use Whitney’s CALM Framework: Comfort, Anchor, Look. And Move.
Gift a little calm
Send a grounding tool, journal, or breathwork video to an overthinking friend. Or say the thing you’ve been spiraling about—you’ve thought it through enough.
5 Interesting Facts About Overthinking
Most of us do it
Over 70% of adults report experiencing overthinking on some level weekly.
Overthinking hides behind achievement
Many high performers manage anxiety by planning, fixing, or people-pleasing.
It’s linked to your nervous system
Overthinking can be your brain’s way of trying to protect you from discomfort or danger, even if there’s none around.
Laughter helps
Studies show humor can interrupt anxious loops and restore a sense of control.
Overthinking loves company
Research shows people feel less anxious when they share their thoughts out loud—because community creates clarity.
Why National Overthinkers Day is Important
It speaks truth with tenderness
This isn’t just a mental health awareness day—it’s a mirror. It reflects what many of us feel but rarely say.
It makes healing accessible
You don’t need a diagnosis to deserve support. This day offers simple tools and language anyone can use.
It gives us permission to breathe
In a world that says “be productive,” this holiday says, “Be gentle.” And that’s powerful.
National Overthinkers Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 19 | Friday |
| 2026 | September 19 | Saturday |
| 2027 | September 19 | Sunday |
| 2028 | September 19 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | September 19 | Wednesday |
