We all go through moments when inspiration fades and the mind feels heavy. The instinct is often to push harder — but sometimes the real key is to pause, reset, and return stronger. In this reflection, I share how a simple ritual helped me find my creative flow again.
Lately, I had been feeling under the weather — “not vibing high at all,” as my good friend Daliz would say.
And I couldn’t figure out why.
I was struggling to come up with ideas to write about.
I needed my ritual badly, hoping it would help.
I reflected: family, work, health, finances, relationships — all seemed in check.
Still, I couldn’t find where I was lacking.
I even started wondering if all my creative ideas were gone. That’s a tragedy.
I felt heavy, low on energy, uninspired.
After three days of pure procrastination and frustration, I decided to go old school on this feeling — in other words: a hard reset.
(This is my ritual.)
I went back to my Solo Soul roots.
A lone wolf mindset — or if you don’t like wolves, you can think of a chick just cracking out of its shell, looking confused but ready to begin life.
I pulled out my mental notepad — my step-by-step list of what always helps me reset.
Step one: stop trying to do everything.
Focus on one thing — and do it well.
I chose the gym. Why? Because it doesn’t require much thinking, but it gets the body moving and the brain firing.
(Science backs this up: physical exercise increases blood flow to the brain and releases neurochemicals like dopamine, endorphins, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which boost mood, clarity, and creativity.)
No blogging, no writing, no side projects — just working out.
I added one more thing: eating healthy and drinking plenty of water.
Operation: get the machine running again.
“Movement awakens the mind just as much as it strengthens the body.”
(— Solo With Soul)
After three days of this, I began to feel lighter.
Relaxed.
Ideas started flowing again — like small ripples on a calm lake.
But I wanted more.
I wanted that balloon of creativity to fully inflate — and burst.
Before all this, I used to read a lot — psychology, history, future trends, technology — anything that sparked curiosity.
I even found myself thinking about finding a time machine, setting the date incorrectly, and ending up 2.4 million years back in time in a community of Homo habilis. No way back. 😅
So I sat down and started reading again.
Flooding my mind with new inputs — some fascinating, some not — but the point was simple: to wake up the mind.
By the fifth day of this ritual, I was experimenting with my Oculus Quest headset.
I could see this giant red balloon on top of my head, just ready to blow.
Four minutes into an app… BOOM.
A crazy idea hit me — out of nowhere.
I knew that balloon had just popped.
I ripped off the headset, sat in front of my desk, and began writing like mad.
When I finished, I jumped straight into working on another project. Then another.
Suddenly, I was rolling again.
“Welcome back to the land of the living, my friend — you have slept for quite some time.”
That line from Eminem’s Rap God echoed in my head.
(And yes, I may have smiled at my computer.)
“Sometimes the clearest ideas come not from forcing the mind, but from freeing it.”
(— Solo With Soul)
The lesson?
Getting one thing done well builds momentum.
And momentum fuels creativity.
I’ve been in this place before, but only now do I recognize the pattern.
For me, a hard reset — going old school — is the key.
Simple actions. One step at a time.
When the mind runs dry, don’t fight it. Reset. Refill. Return stronger.
And remember — a little fun and curiosity go a long way. ✨
I wandered without a map most days.
I sat alone in the metro, listening to the music of a language I didn’t understand.
I drank plenty of “vin chaud” every chance I got.
I crossed bridges over the Seine that shimmered under soft rain.
I watched the Eiffel Tower light up — not from a tour bus, but from a bench where I ate a warm croissant, while a couple of mice wandered around like they owned the city.
I was alone, but not lonely. I was at peace.
It wasn’t about being a tourist.
It wasn’t about having perfect photos.
It was about realizing that I could be anywhere in the world — and still feel at home inside myself.
I had the chance to interact with locals who showed me a glimpse of Paris nightlife.
Moments I would have missed if I hadn’t taken the risk to go alone.
Not every moment was perfect.
There were times I got lost, felt awkward ordering food, or missed having someone to share a laugh with.
But those moments taught me something even more important:
I didn’t need to be fearless to move forward.
I just needed to move.
If you’ve ever thought about taking a trip alone — to Paris, to anywhere — I’m here to tell you:
You can.
You don’t have to wait for the right time, or the right company, or the perfect plan.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for yourself is to go.
Buy the ticket.
Step onto the street of a city you’ve never seen before.
Let yourself be new somewhere.
You don’t go alone because you’re lonely.
You go alone because you’re powerful enough to carry your own spirit across oceans.
Solo With Soul 