Firat Akbas

Tag: overthinking

  • I Still Use ChatGPT Instead of Writing Everything Myself

    by Firat Akbas

    Let me say this upfront:

    No — I didn’t write every single word of this alone.
    Yes — I used ChatGPT to help me.

    And no, I’m not ashamed of that.

    You shouldn’t be, either.

    Why I Use AI

    Because – maybe like you

    • I overthink every sentence
    • I want to say everything, all at once
    • I get emotionally tangled in what I’m writing
    • I’m afraid I won’t sound as “powerful” as I feel inside

    And when I try to write alone, here’s what often comes out:

    A Real Text I talked into ChatGPT (Before Any Help)

    “I don’t want to take this idea. I kind of want to write about the fact that… …the more we try to become a version of ourselves… …that’s better, slimmer, richer, fitter, more good-looking, whatever it is… …we tend to forget the process of having fun. For me, too. The hard truth is, after work, I’m staying at home, scrolling… …getting the new idea, getting a new insight… …trying to read books for the next hint that solves our problems. But then I came to the conclusion that I forgot how to be happy. I always think about my job that I don’t want to do anymore. I’m making less than I deserve, quote-unquote. Yes. And I want to write about that.”

    That’s me. Word for word.

    No edits.
    No punctuation fixes.
    No structure.
    Just my brain, spilling raw truth.

    What ChatGPT Helped Me See

    I wasn’t lost.
    I was feeling deeply. But the text had too many pauses, too much build-up, and not enough clarity.

    Together, we shaped it into this:

    “I’ve been grinding to become the best version of myself — fitter, smarter, more disciplined. But in the process, I forgot how to be happy.

    After work, I just sit and scroll. Searching for the next book, the next insight, the next solution. Always chasing a fix.

    But lately I’ve realized: I’m not broken. I’m just disconnected from joy.

    I miss laughing. Resting. Just being human.”

    Same soul. Less noise.

    Why I Share This

    Because you’re like me.

    • You feel a lot, but it comes out tangled.
    • Your words don’t land like your thoughts do.
    • You write with heart — but get lost in your own mind.

    You’re just in the middle of becoming fluent in your truth.
    Yes, you should write more, think more, work more.

    But what if you don’t even have energy for yourself at the moment?

    Especially if you are busy workwise, with family, other responsibilities.

    If life feels empty and heavy?

    Why I Still Use ChatGPT (For Now)

    Because it helps me:

    • Reflect without spiraling
    • Stay in motion when I want to quit
    • Say what I mean — without drowning in it
    • Keep writing, even on days I feel like a mess

    This isn’t cheating for me.
    It’s a bridge between the man I am — and the man I’m building.

    And I won’t apologize for using every tool I can to speak the truth.


    I stopped beating myself down with thoughts like:

    • I never really wrote, of course I’m bad
    • No one will take me seriously
    • I’m making a clown out of myself instead of “grinding hard”

    Think about it

    You don’t need to be a perfect writer.
    You just need to be an honest one.

    Even if that honesty sounds like:

    “Hey… I needed help writing this.”

    If you’re someone with a voice that gets tangled in your throat —
    I feel that.

    You are not weak for it.
    You are trying to build – something that lasts.

    Something that’s …

    you.

    Final Words


    I hope this post helps you exhale a bit more.
    Be kind to yourself.

    DM me what you think on X.
    I’ll read it – whether you’re struggling or simply feel seen by this.

    Thanks for reading.
    I’ll see you in the next one.


    I love you. You matter.
    — Firat Akbas

  • Overthinking Isn’t the Problem.

    It’s Avoiding What You Already Know.

    Let’s be real.

    You’re not “just thinking a lot.”
    You’re stuck. Looping.
    Scrolling, spiraling, second-guessing yourself over and over.

    And then the guilt kicks in.
    “Why can’t I just do the thing already?”

    I’ve been there too. And still am sometimes.
    I could reduce that to a minimum and still end up scrolling. It’s how it works if you don’t have “better things to do”.

    Eventually, I realized something hard but freeing:
    Overthinking isn’t the issue.
    It’s knowing what to do — and avoiding it anyway.

    What Actually Helped Me?

    I stopped fighting my thoughts and started removing the noise.

    I deleted Instagram.
    Then TikTok.
    Then Snapchat.
    All of it — gone.

    Not because I’m super disciplined.
    But because I realized something dangerous was happening:

    Social media wasn’t helping.

    It was hijacking my attention.

    When you take a step back, it’s insane.
    You’re sitting there on the couch like a shrimp, hunched over…
    …staring into a glowing alien rectangle that feeds your brain nonstop garbage:

    • “Give us your money”
    • “This sexy AI woman wants your attention”
    • “You NEED these protein pancakes”
    • “Here’s a game you didn’t ask for (with 97% ads)”
    • “Buy our course about socks”

    Most of the things you want in life, right?
    Quick, easy and rewarding.

    All of this while your real life sits in the background, ignored.

    Meanwhile, your brain can’t focus.
    You can’t hear yourself.
    You keep spiraling because you’ve got no clarity — only stimulation.

    Overthinking Thrives in Chaos

    If you’re the deep-feeling type, an introvert, someone who grew up being hyper-aware…
    then overstimulation turns your mind into a prison.

    Ask me, I feel hurt when someone ignored my “Hey, how you doin?”
    We are not different in this.

    And social media is a never-ending stream of dopamine and confusion.

    You already feel too much.
    You already think too far.
    Now you’re being fed more things to feel and think about nonstop.

    At some point, it’s not about laziness — it’s about your nervous system being fried.

    You’re Not Broken.

    You Might Just Be Wired Differently.

    Maybe you’re the analytical one.
    Maybe you’ve got neurodivergent traits.
    Maybe you’re the “deep-feeler” or “slow starter” type.

    Or maybe you learned “helplessness” early in life.
    And now, when faced with action, you freeze.

    Whatever it is — you’re not wrong for being how you are.
    But you do need a new strategy to get out of the overthinking cycle.

    Here’s What Actually Works

    These are the only things that have helped me stop the spiral,
    no course, no coaching — easy things you have control over:

    1. Kill the noise.

    Delete the apps.
    Put the phone out of reach.
    Block the toxic stuff.
    Reclaim your mind from the algorithm.

    2. Act on what you already know.

    That girl you’re texting who keeps it surface-level?
    Your girl is your peace — not your never-ending, unsolvable puzzle that eats your brain and chips away at your confidence.
    You know the answer.

    That dream you’ve been postponing?

    • Writer — writes
    • Dancer — dances
    • Cook — cooks
      …

    You know what step one is.

    That anxiety you feel?
    It’s probably because you’re ignoring your gut — not because you need more answers.
    Because watching others do the thing you want to do feels like accomplishment to your brain.
    But it’s not. You only scrolled.

    Start small.
    Do the boring thing.
    But do it now, not “when you feel ready.”

    3. Accept your wiring.

    You’re not a robot.
    You’re not lazy.
    You’re not broken.

    You’re thoughtful. Careful. Deep.
    That’s a strength — but only if you give it structure.

    Discipline.
    Boundaries.
    Purpose.

    Trust your gut.
    If you think your writing is shitty, you don’t care — you improve.
    Use tools, get help, post anyway.
    And way, way less noise.

    If You’re Stuck in Your Head — I Get It.

    You’re not failing.
    You’re not weak.
    You’re just overloaded.

    The world tells you to “man up” and “do more.”
    But sometimes, real courage is shutting everything down and doing less — so you can hear yourself again.

    You don’t need another quote, hack, or strategy.
    You just need to act on what you already know deep down.

    So today:

    Turn down the volume.
    Take the first step.
    And remember — you’re not alone in this.

    • Someone needs your voice out of your struggles and how you crawled out of this abyss.
    • Someone needs to taste your cooking.
    • Someone needs to see your dance moves.

    Let’s Move Forward.

    I love you. You are doing great.
    — Firat