Overpreparing Is Making You Anxious episode artwork

EPISODE · May 8, 2026 · 22 MIN

Overpreparing Is Making You Anxious

from The 18 Minutes Podcast · host Amanda Claessens

Overpreparing might be the most socially acceptable safety behavior there is. It doesn't always look like anxiety, it looks like being responsible! In this episode I unpack what overpreparing actually is, why our brains love it so much, and the mental and physical cost we pay for it. Then we talk about how to gradually let go of it without flipping your whole life upside down, and what life looks like on the other side. If you're tired of running the worst-case version of every situation in your head before it happens, this one is for you!!SOURCES: - LaFreniere, L. S., & Newman, M. G. (2019). [Exposing Worry's Deceit: Percentage of Untrue Worries in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Treatment](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32044024/). *Behavior Therapy*.- Companion episodes referenced: "Safety Behaviors," "Reassurance-Seeking," and "How To Practice Acceptance" — The 18 Minutes Podcast.FREE Fear to Freedom Guide: https://the18minutes.com/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the18minutesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the18minutes/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the18minutesEmail: [email protected] 

Overpreparing might be the most socially acceptable safety behavior there is. It doesn't always look like anxiety, it looks like being responsible! In this episode I unpack what overpreparing actually is, why our brains love it so much, and the mental and physical cost we pay for it. Then we talk about how to gradually let go of it without flipping your whole life upside down, and what life looks like on the other side. If you're tired of running the worst-case version of every situation in y...

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Overpreparing Is Making You Anxious

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This episode was published on May 8, 2026.

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Overpreparing might be the most socially acceptable safety behavior there is. It doesn't always look like anxiety, it looks like being responsible! In this episode I unpack what overpreparing actually is, why our brains love it so much, and the...

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