**A Quarter of Britons Admit to Repeatedly Worrying About Locked Front Doors, Reflecting a Nation of Overthinkers**
In a reflection of the nation’s increasingly anxious mindset, a new study has revealed that a significant proportion of Britons wrestle daily with worries both monumental and mundane. According to recent data, nearly a quarter (24%) of UK adults admit they anxiously double-check whether they have locked their front door—a telling sign of the spiralling trend of overthinking across the country.
The research, commissioned by snack manufacturer McCain, paints a picture of a population beset by constant ruminations. An overwhelming 70% of those surveyed confessed to overanalysing things more than they would like, while other pressing concerns linger just beneath the surface. One of the most persistent anxieties remains financial security, with well over half (55%) acknowledging they dwell on their financial stability more than is comfortable. Yet, in contrast, 12% find themselves preoccupied with whether their lovers, family or friends have left their messages on ‘read’—an indicator of the pressures of the digital age.
Interestingly, British obsessions are not limited to worries over money and security. Food, too, occupies a considerable chunk of the day, with findings indicating that people spend nearly half an hour each day mulling over their next meal. The sheer volume of daily thought given to such a basic necessity perhaps reveals something of the collective national psyche—a tendency to focus on both the essentials and the trivial, sometimes as a form of distraction.
This preoccupation with overthinking extends into other aspects of day-to-day life, with people admitting to fixations ranging from the welfare of their pets and football scores, to the latest drama unfolding on TikTok and even musings about the actual Roman Empire. Such confessed obsessions have inspired popular culture references to ‘Roman Empire’ moments, when participants discover the strange topics that consistently take up space in their minds.
In a creative attempt to highlight—and perhaps gently poke fun at—this universal tendency towards mental overdrive, McCain unveiled a playful public art installation at London’s iconic Battersea Power Station on the 28th and 29th of May. The centrepiece of the exhibition, dubbed ‘The Thinker Pondering Vibes’, was a witty reinterpretation of Rodin’s celebrated sculpture, this time imagining the statue locked in deep debate over whether McCain’s latest snack innovation should be considered a chip or a crisp.
The event was launched by television personality and self-admitted overthinker Vicky Pattison, who shared her own experience upon sampling the new hot snack. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect with McCain Vibes,” Pattison remarked. “I took a bite and was like, ‘what is this chip/crisp thingy?’ It’s hot, it’s crispy, it’s totally moreish. I was lost for words, which never happens. You must try them to get it—trust me, they’re a total snack gamechanger.”
Visitors to the south London installation had a chance to sample the ambiguous snack themselves, as well as strike their own contemplative pose atop a second plinth, with many enthusiastically joining in the fun. The irreverent installation playfully reminded onlookers that, amid the stresses of work, bills and social drama, sometimes the real puzzles in life can be as simple—and satisfying—as wondering about a new snack.
The McCain Vibes product, available in select retail stores at a recommended price of £3 for a 350g bag, has been touted by the brand as “flavour-packed” and designed to challenge consumers’ expectations of what a snack can be. Whether future buyers decide it’s more chip or crisp might not matter, but clearly, it’s another delight for the nation’s habitual overthinkers to ponder.
The research, fun as it may be in context of a product launch, highlights an underlying issue: the growing sense of unease and constant questioning that many UK residents admit to experiencing. As society navigates complex economic conditions, evolving technology, and ever-more demanding lifestyles, this appetite for overanalysis may not be going away any time soon. Either way, for now, Britons seem ready to keep thinking—and snacking—in equal measure.