A Simple Thought Experiment to Stop Overthinking

The Supercomputer

Imagine you have a supercomputer with infinite processing power, capable of analyzing everything about the universe. Its purpose? To calculate the perfect course of action for achieving any desired outcome.

You could ask this computer anything:

• “How do I land that dream job?”

• “How do I build a meaningful connection with that person I just met?”

• “How do I find fulfillment in life?”

The computer would process these questions using pure cause-and-effect logic:

Do X → Get Y outcome.

Sounds simple, right? Let’s test it. Say you ask the computer:

• “How can I deepen a connection with this person I just met?”

The computer computes. But then there's a problem.

There isn’t a single “X” or even a handful of steps that guarantees “Y.” Instead, there are trillions of variables beyond your comprehension.

What if this person is in a bad mood because they forgot their house keys? What if their dog just passed away, or they’re still processing past trauma? Timing, circumstances, and emotions—all of these factors affect the outcome, but you can’t predict or control any of them.

Lucky for you this supercomputer does all the calculations for you.

However, there's still exists an underlying problem:

• How does the supercomputer interpret your question?

• What do you really want from this connection? Friendship? Validation? Something else entirely?

• How do you define the outcomes success? Is it a mutual bond, or is it simply them liking you?

Without clear goals, the computer’s answers are meaningless. It’s like asking ChatGPT for life advice and realizing you didn’t phrase your question well enough to get the insight you needed. You refine the question, but every answer spawns more questions—and the cycle continues.

This reminds me of a funny scene from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. A supercomputer, Deep Thought, was asked the ultimate question:

• “What is the purpose of life, the universe, and everything?”

Deep Thought then proceed to think for several million years, computing the answer.

And upon the grand day the computer has come to the answer, a massive crowd of people high on anticipation finally to give themselves meaning and purpose to their existence.

'And the answer is…'

'42.'

Naturally, everyone is confused and outraged. “42” seems absurd and meaningless. Deep Thought, however, explains that the problem isn’t the answer—it’s the question. The beings who asked the question didn’t actually know what the Ultimate Question was.

Afterall, how can you get a proper answer when you don't ask the right questions? When you don't even know clearly what you want to ask?

The same applies to overthinking. Like a supercomputer, your mind is constantly calculating, trying to control outcomes and predict the future. But with incomplete information and unclear goals, then your mental energy is wasted.

So where do you start? If even a supercomputer can’t answer life’s big questions without clarity, how can we begin to untangle the mess that is our thoughts?

The Irrational Mind

Overthinking is like running an outdated computer: your mind tries to compute perfect outcomes, but it crashes under the weight of complexity.

Even a supercomputer, free of human limitations, struggles to provide meaningful answers without clear inputs. So how can a limited, irrational mind hope to succeed?

Here are two reasons why overthinking inevitably fails:

1. Infinite Variables, Limited Capacity

There exists an infinite number of variables and an equal infinite number of paths to consider.

We don't operate in a reality where everything is contained like a theoretical math problem, where we work with a discrete number of variables. Every situation—whether it’s building a connection, landing a job, or making a decision—involves countless variables beyond your control.

• The other person’s mood, their past experiences, timing, external circumstances—you can’t account for all of it.

• Worse, your mind tries to predict these variables to achieve the perfect result, projecting far into the future, but it doesn’t have the processing power to handle this complexity.

The result? Mental overload. Anxiety. Paralysis. Like a computer trying to run too many programs at once, your brain fries under the strain.

In a desperate attempt to fix this, you start overthinking your overthinking. It becomes a default state—a constant loop where you burn mental energy without making progress.

Over time, this habit embeds itself into your identity. Like a car leaking gas, you feel drained, sluggish, and apathetic as you spiral into anxiety and inaction.

2. Unclear Goals Create Chaos

Even if you could calculate every variable, overthinking falters when your goals and desires are undefined. Going back to our previous example of desiring a connection:

What do you really want? Do you want this connection to fill a personal void? Do you want validation or genuine mutual growth?

If your goals are unclear, your mind spirals, trying to reconcile contradictory motives.

Instead of moving forward, you become stuck in endless loops of doubt and indecision. You need clarity.

Why Your Operating System Holds You Back

Your mind isn’t just trying to rationalize outcomes—it’s also shaped by the inputs it’s been fed: your goals, experiences, and beliefs. Dan Koe puts it well: “Your mind is the operating system of your reality, heavily influenced by the inputs you give it.”

Our mind actively search for information to reinforces the identity and goals we knowingly and unknowingly have.

Here’s what this means:

• Hidden Goals Drive Action (or Inaction):

You may tell yourself you want to pursue a new job or relationship, but your actions are dictated by hidden goals—like staying comfortable or avoiding rejection. These subconscious drivers often conflict with your rational desires, leading to procrastination or self-sabotage. In other words, you act and think to uphold your identity and comfort zone.

• Beliefs Shape Your Worldview:

If you believe your skills are fixed, you’ll avoid challenges to protect your current identity. If you believe failure defines you, you’ll shy away from risk altogether. Your beliefs form the boundaries of your “operating system,” limiting what you think is possible.

• Optimism vs. Pessimism:

An optimistic mind builds visions and seeks opportunities. A pessimistic mind focuses on avoiding threats. Both perspectives are self-fulfilling, influencing the logic you follow and the results you achieve.

These examples all illustrate the the takeaway:

Our action, and consequently, line of logic, falls to the level of our goals and identity. Our conscious and unconscious goals dictate our thoughts and action.

You're stuck in a state of decision paralysis, constant worry, performing menial tasks for this exact reason. Because it's framed by your operating system of goals and beliefs.

The deeper flaw is this: some things can’t be understood through logic alone—they must be experienced. Experienced through action.

Trying to logic your way through every situation ignores the emotional and intuitive parts of being human. Remember, to become 100% rational we have to account for every variable—which is physically impossible by the mind. Being stuck in the logic loops ignores the fact that we are fundamentally irrational.

We often assume other people’s logical frameworks and rationale will work for us.

We find profound wisdom and epiphanies through scrolling Instagram for self-help content or even speaking with mentors.

But their advice—no matter how reasonable—won’t stick if it doesn’t align with our own goals, beliefs, and experiences. Their advices aligns with them, they’ve learnt it through their own personal experience.

Rational steps only work when the deeper operating system is aligned, and this can only be achieved through experience and shadow work to deepen clarity of your own goals. This is will be my focus for my next article.

To Summarize:

Overthinking arises because of two key flaws:

• Your mind can’t process infinite variables.

• Your goals and beliefs are often unclear or misaligned.

These flaws create the mental loops that keep you stuck, but there’s a way out.

To break free, you must shift your focus:

• Define your goals with clarity.

• Recognize the limits of logic and embrace action and experience.

• Align your beliefs with what truly matters to you.

This article has laid the groundwork for understanding why overthinking happens. In part 2, we’ll explore actionable steps to rewire your operating system, quiet the noise in your mind, and find clarity on what you want.

Thanks for reading. Sorry for the long break.

— Leeway