Why You're Overthinking Everything (And the Two Things That Actually Matter)

I'll never forget the moment my husband Nathan and I booked our first international trip together. We'd been dating about eight months and had just survived Burning Man  (that legendary art festival in the Nevada desert where comfort goes to die and relationships get tested by dust storms and porta-potties.) If we could handle that together, surely we could navigate a foreign country, right?

Nathan had been researching Thailand, and after our desert adventure proved we were compatible travel companions, he invited me along. The planning conversations began: When should we go? Which cities should we visit? After weeks of research and discussion, we settled on a two-week adventure split between Bangkok and Phuket.

Then came the moment of truth: booking the flights.

I remember the quiet hyperventilation on both ends of the phone call after we clicked "purchase." A quick "okay, great, talk to you later!" and we both needed a moment to process what we'd just committed to. This was uncharted territory for both of us; my only international experience had been a guided European tour where someone else handled all the logistics.

Fast forward a few months to March 2019: Thailand became one of the most incredible experiences of our lives. We still talk about those tropical waters, golden temples, and street food adventures today. Since then, we've prioritized travel, exploring everywhere from Costa Rica's rainforests to Jordan's ancient cities, plus countless domestic adventures.

The Response That Never Gets Old

Here's what happens every single time we share photos from our trips: "I would love to travel like that!"

I get it. Travel is undeniably a luxury, especially in today's economy. But here's what I've learned through years of planning adventures both big and small: it's absolutely possible with the right approach. The key isn't having unlimited funds or endless vacation days. It's about cutting through the overwhelm and focusing on what actually matters.

The Two Non-Negotiables

Through all our trip planning experiences, I've discovered something crucial: there are exactly two things that must happen before anything else can fall into place.

1. Choose your destination 2. Book your flights

That's it. Everything else, and I mean everything, can be figured out afterward.

I know it sounds almost insultingly simple, but here's why this matters: it's incredibly easy to get lost in the infinite web of possibilities. Should we go to Thailand or Vietnam? What about Indonesia? Maybe we should consider South America instead? Before you know it, you've spent months researching without making any real progress.

The same paralysis happens with logistics. You start wondering about visa requirements, vaccinations, currency exchange rates, travel insurance, accommodation options, transportation between cities, must-see attractions, restaurant recommendations... and suddenly you're drowning in details for a trip that doesn't even exist yet.

Why This Approach Works

Once you have your destination and flights booked, something magical happens: the abstract becomes concrete. You have dates, you have a place, and now you have a framework for making every other decision.

Suddenly, those overwhelming questions become manageable:

• What excursions should we book? Now you can research activities specific to your destination and timeframe.

• How do we get around? Now you can look up transportation options between your actual arrival and departure points.

• What's our budget for activities? Now you can research real costs for real places you'll actually visit.

The Bigger Life Lesson

This principle extends far beyond travel planning. Whether you're considering a major move, changing careers, starting a family, or any other significant life transition, it's natural to feel overwhelmed by everything involved.

But here's the truth: you don't need to have all the answers before you start. You just need to identify the essential first steps: the non-negotiables that make everything else possible.

For travel, it's destination and flights. For a career change, it might be updating your resume and applying to one job. For a move, it could be researching neighborhoods and connecting with a realtor.

The key is recognizing that all those other important details (the ones that keep you awake at 2 AM making mental lists) can only be properly addressed once you've built your foundation.

Your Turn to Take the First Step

Whether it's travel, a career change, starting that business, or any other dream you've been putting off, the principle remains the same: identify your essential first steps and take action on those before getting lost in the details.

I see this pattern constantly in my work with clients. They come to me feeling overwhelmed by everything involved in making a big change: the endless research, the what-ifs, the perfect timing that never seems to arrive. But when we strip away all the noise and focus on just the foundational steps, suddenly what felt impossible becomes manageable.

It's not about having all the answers upfront. It's about building momentum through strategic action on the things that actually matter most.

The clarity comes through doing, not through endless planning.

What big dream or goal have you been putting off because it feels too overwhelming? I help people break through analysis paralysis and turn their biggest aspirations into actionable first steps. If you're ready to stop planning and start doing, let's talk about how we can create a clear path forward together.