Agnes Van Buren, MA

06/22/2026

Overthinking feels productive because it tricks us into believing that if we think about something for long enough, we will find the perfect answer.

In reality, overthinking often does the opposite.

The more we replay conversations, analyse mistakes, imagine worst-case scenarios and question our decisions, the more anxious, overwhelmed and stuck we become.

A helpful question to ask yourself is:

"Am I solving a problem, or am I repeatedly thinking about the same problem?"

If there is something you can do, focus on the next small step.

If there is nothing you can do right now, give yourself permission to stop searching for answers that are not available today.

Overthinking rarely brings clarity. Taking action, accepting uncertainty and focusing on the present moment usually does.

Free OVERTHINKING LOOP STOP-PICK-STEP PRINTABLE PDF TOOL

LIKE the photo and comment "LOOP" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Sometimes all that planning on Sunday night turns into an almost urgent need to completely revamp your routine—or even your entire life. That impulse is not random, nor is it necessarily a sign that anything is wrong. We asked mental health experts to explain why the urge to overhaul your life tends to hit so hard on Sunday evenings specifically.

See link below for five ways to beat the Sunday scaries ⬇️

06/16/2026

Comment THINK if you want students to actually say what they need instead of acting it out and I’ll send you the link to my Behavior Reflection Think Sheets.

You know those moments when something happens…
and instead of words, you get shutdown, arguing, or big reactions.

They’re not trying to be difficult.
They just don’t have the language yet.

That’s where this comes in.

This gives students a simple structure:
I feel…
When…
I would like…

It turns a confusing moment into something they can actually say.

Instead of guessing, blaming, or escalating, they learn how to explain what happened and what they need.

Teachers use this during conflict resolution, in calm spaces, or as part of behavior reflection after something goes wrong.

It builds communication, not just compliance.

If having a clear way to help students express themselves would make your day easier, comment THINK and I’ll send you the link.

06/10/2026

Perfectionism does not usually lead to excellence.

It often leads to overthinking, self-doubt, fear of failure, procrastination, anxiety and feeling exhausted from trying to meet impossible standards.

The harder people try to be perfect, the more mistakes they notice, the more they criticise themselves, and the more trapped they become in the cycle.

Many people spend years believing perfectionism is a strength, without realising how much it is costing their confidence, wellbeing and happiness.

If this feels familiar, you are not alone.

Free THE PERFECTIONISM CYCLE PRINTABLE PDF HANDOUT

LIKE the photo and comment "PERFECT" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

05/22/2026

Most people are not struggling because they are “weak” or “lazy”.

They are exhausted from the constant battle inside their own mind.

Thoughts like:

“I always mess things up”
“Nobody cares”
“If I fail once, I am a failure”
“Everything will go wrong”

These thinking patterns can quietly damage confidence, relationships, mental health and daily life - especially for children, teenagers and people living with anxiety, trauma or stress.

Once you learn to spot cognitive distortions, you start to realise how many people are fighting invisible battles every single day.

This is the kind of information every school, parent, professional and young person should understand.

Share this because someone you know may need to hear that their thoughts are not always facts.

Free COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS LIST PDF FOR CBT AND THERAPY

LIKE the photo and comment "DISTORT" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

05/14/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month reminder 💚

Stress, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, burnout, and chronic tension can affect your nervous system and emotional well-being in powerful ways.

Learning about the vagus nerve and nervous system regulation can help support stress relief, emotional balance, relaxation, and mental wellness.

✨ Your mind and body both deserve moments of calm, rest, and recovery.

Read here:
https://reachoutrecovery.com/what-is-the-vagus-nerve/

05/10/2026

When worry or rumination takes over, it can feel like you’re solving a problem—but research shows these patterns often create more distress than they relieve.

Psychologists like Dr. Douglas Mennin help patients step out of these loops and respond to emotions more effectively.

Learn more: https://at.apa.org/82f824

05/07/2026

Cognitive shuffling is a technique to help a person fall asleep by guiding the mind to shift away from stressful or repetitive thoughts. It works by engaging the brain in a simple and neutral mental activity that promotes relaxation. The process involves choosing a random letter and thinking of objects that start with that letter. For each object, the person creates a clear mental picture, imagining its details like shape, color, or texture. After some time, the person switches to another letter and repeats the process. This method helps the mind move away from overthinking and into a calm, dreamlike state.

Like, follow, and share our page for more. Thank you, CogNation!