Something Wicked (and Overthought) This Way Comes
I love spooky season.
But I don’t do scary.
And when I say I don’t do scary, I mean it.
For reference: a few years ago, my friends and I watched the Disney Channel original movie Don’t Look Under the Bed (circa 1999).
Nightmares. For. Days.
That movie haunted me far longer than it had any right to, and don’t even get me started on psychological thrillers. They activate my overthinking spirals like it’s their full-time job.
Luckily, I’ve made peace with this.
I know my nervous system just can’t handle extra doses of perceived danger. Real life is plenty terrifying, thank you very much.
Even though I know there are no monsters under my bed, my imagination still runs wild.
And as a fellow overthinker, I’m guessing you get it…
One small mishap — and suddenly your brain is planning your own eulogy.
Talk about scary.
When Overthinking Turns Into Fear Spirals
I could write an entire book about terrifying thought spirals (and honestly, I probably will).
But today, I want to talk about something even spookier…
👻 Scary emotions.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been celebrating spooky season since September because let’s be honest, spooky is a state of mind.
And speaking of spooky minds…
Have you heard of Schadenfreude?
It’s a German word for that uncomfortable flicker of joy when someone else experiences misfortune.
You know
That tiny spark of satisfaction when:
A rude coworker gets called out in a meeting
The ex who ghosted you suddenly gets ghosted
Someone who hurt you finally faces consequences
It’s weird.
Uncomfortable.
Kind of… fun?
And kind of spooky.
Why “Dark” Emotions Feel So Scary
Brené Brown describes Schadenfreude as a complex emotion that mixes envy, resentment, and the fragile relief of seeing someone else fall.
And here’s the thing:
Emotions like this feel scary because they challenge the story we tell ourselves about being “good people.”
But here’s the truth:
✨ Emotions — even the dark, messy ones — lose their power when we shine a little light on them.
Just like when I was a kid, terrified of the monster under my bed…
The only thing that helped was turning on the light.
Turning the Light On (Instead of Avoiding the Feeling)
So let’s try it together:
✨ Take a deep breath.
✨ Remind yourself: There’s no monster in your closet… probably.
✨ And if that doesn’t work? Check the closet.
Turn on the light in your:
brain
body
heart
Investigate the emotion instead of avoiding it.
You might discover it’s not a monster at all —
just a shadow shaped by fear, shame, or unmet needs.
And who knows…
Maybe what’s hiding under the bed isn’t something to fear.
Maybe it’s just a part of you waiting to be understood. 💛
Gentle Reflection
What is the scariest story you tell yourself?
If you’re open to it, get curious — not judgmental — about what’s underneath that story.
Written by Candice Coughenour, LMFT
Licensed therapist specializing in overthinking, people-pleasing, burnout, and emotional overwhelm.
Helping people-pleasing perfectionists set boundaries, reduce burnout, and rediscover joy.
