Getting Stuck In The ‘problem Trap’

Have you ever been so deep in a problem that you just can’t see a way out? You spend hours trying to figure it out, only to feel more confused. That’s the exact predicament I explore in this episode.

Sometimes, when we let our minds race, problems turn into monsters. In the podcast, I share how it can feel impossible to break free from a cycle of overthinking. I also break down the single biggest step that cleared my own mental fog and gave me the space to breathe again.

Why It’s Easy to Get Stuck

You might wonder why we cling so tightly to a problem. One reason is that we don’t like feeling out of control, so we obsess over every detail. Another is the belief that if we throw enough time at an issue, we’ll eventually fix it.

But our brains can trick us. The harder we try, the more we feed the fear that we’re not enough. That anxiety grows. Before we know it, we’re caught in a loop of stress and second-guessing.

The Hard Truth About Stepping Away

When problems loom large, the idea of stepping away feels counterintuitive. Yet it can be the most important move. As I said in the episode:

“I have. So I wanted to share the hard truth about how to get out of it.”

Stepping away isn’t the same as giving up. It’s about pressing pause on the mental treadmill. It gives you a chance to reset your perspective and notice emotional blind spots that make a problem seem bigger than it is.

Practical Ways to Shift Your Mindset

Our brains need variety. When you’re stuck, try something new:

• Go for a short walk to clear your head.
• Chat with a friend about something unrelated.
• Listen to upbeat music, or doodle for five minutes.
• Close your eyes and practise a breathing exercise.

These tiny acts remind your brain that the world is bigger than your current problem. The more you notice that, the easier it becomes to break out of your mental gridlock.

How to Tell If You’re Overcomplicating Things

Sometimes, we get so focused on finding the “right” answer that we forget there may be more than one way forward. If you catch yourself agonising over small details, you might be overcomplicating the issue.

Try asking yourself:

• “Is there an obvious solution I’m ignoring?”
• “Am I scared to pick a path because I want to be perfect?”
• “Could I test a quick fix without committing fully?”

These simple questions can reveal if you’re tied up in knots over something that needs a simple tweak, not a grand plan.

Finding Relief in Community

Sharing your situation with a friend or mentor can also make a world of difference. Sometimes, the people around us see patterns we miss. A quick conversation can spark a new idea.

They might remind you of a technique or approach you forgot about. Or they could validate that your problem really is tricky, but your new perspective will help you chip away at it. Don’t underestimate the power of a fresh set of eyes.

Here are a few key points to remember:

• Stepping away isn’t giving up, it’s creating space for clarity.
• Take small actions that shift your focus and break mental loops.
• Reach out to friends or mentors when you’re stuck in your own head.

When you’re ready for more details, the full episode is waiting for you. The podcast player is at the top of this page, so settle in and have a listen. You’ll hear the complete story of how I got unstuck and the surprising relief that comes from backing off before diving back in.

Give it a try sometime. You might be surprised at how quickly your mind can reset and how fresh solutions show up when you create a little distance. So go ahead. Press play, and discover a new way to tackle life’s sticky problems.