Out of Ideas? Staring at the Screen? Here’s What to Do in 3 Steps (Backed by Psychology & Practice)

We’ve all been there — sitting in front of the screen, fingers hovering, brain frozen. No motivation. No inspiration. Just… stuck.

But creativity isn’t about forcing ideas out of a tired brain. It’s about moving differently, thinking differently — and sometimes stepping away entirely.

Here’s what I do when I hit that wall, based on psychological research, personal trial-and-error, and wisdom from the writers I’ve studied.


Step 1: Step Away and Move (Literally)

When you’re mentally blocked, staying still usually makes it worse. Research shows that walking improves divergent thinking — the kind of thinking that generates new ideas.

Stephen King, in his book On Writing, walks daily — not just for health, but because movement creates momentum. Ideas often arrive when you’re not looking directly at them.

💡 Try this: Go for a 10–15 minute walk with no agenda. Or stretch. Or do a light chore. Let your body shift so your mind can follow.

👉 Read my review of On Writing here


Step 2: Use a Creative Prompt to Jumpstart Thought

Don’t wait for the “perfect idea.” Use a simple prompt to open the door. Prompts reduce decision fatigue and re-activate creative flow.

Try one of these:

  • “What problem do I want to solve today?”
  • “If I had to explain one idea I love to a friend, what would it be?”
  • “What’s something I’ve figured out recently that might help someone else?”

Start with a question, not a blank page.


Step 3: Revisit Something You’ve Already Read or Written

When your brain feels empty, don’t force new ideas — borrow from your past thinking.

Re-read a book review, an old blog post, or even notes from a voice memo. Often, a single sentence will spark a whole new thread.

💡 I keep a page of past reviews for this exact reason: 👉 Explore my Book Reviews

Ideas don’t disappear — they hide in plain sight.


Creativity isn’t about forcing inspiration. It’s about changing your state.

When you’re stuck, step away. Ask questions. Reconnect with something meaningful you’ve already explored. The ideas will return — and they’ll often come back stronger.

What On Writing by Stephen King Taught Me About Showing Up, Creativity, and Discipline (Book Review)

Stephen King is known for horror — but in On Writing, he turns his attention to craft, discipline, and the life of a writer. The result is part memoir, part toolkit, and surprisingly motivational — even if you’re not writing novels.

For anyone building a creative practice, this book is honest, practical, and full of reminders that consistency matters more than inspiration.


📚 What the Book Is About

On Writing is split into two parts:

1️⃣ A raw and personal memoir — from childhood to addiction to the near-fatal accident that almost ended his writing life 2️⃣ A no-fluff guide to writing — grammar, story structure, editing, rejection, and finding your voice

What makes it stand out is King’s tone: he’s clear, funny, a little harsh, but completely real. He writes the way he speaks — and he’s not trying to impress anyone.


🧠 What Stuck with Me

“The adverb is not your friend.”

King has strong opinions about writing that tries too hard. He believes clarity matters more than cleverness — and that simple, strong language almost always wins.

Discipline creates momentum.

King writes every day. He sets a word count goal and sticks to it. His advice? Don’t wait for the muse. Build a routine and show up.

Walking is part of the creative process.

Every day, he walks — not just for health, but because movement creates mental space. Ideas don’t always arrive at the desk. Sometimes, they show up when you’re walking the dog or wandering outside.

That quiet rhythm, that physical shift — it supports the work behind the words.


💬 Personal Reflection

Reading On Writing felt like sitting across from a no-nonsense mentor who isn’t afraid to tell you the truth — but still wants you to succeed.

As someone who writes articles, digital guides, and behavioural content, I found this book both grounding and energising. It reminded me that writing isn’t about waiting for the perfect idea — it’s about trusting the process, showing up every day, and letting your voice evolve through use.

It also reminded me to walk more — not just for my body, but for my mind.


📌 Who Should Read This

This book is for:

  • Writers at any level
  • Bloggers, educators, content creators
  • Anyone building a creative habit or looking for motivation to keep going

It’s especially helpful if you overthink your writing or feel stuck trying to “find your voice.”


⭐ Final Thoughts

On Writing is a reminder that creative work is built — not gifted. It’s about doing the work, even when it’s boring, hard, or inconvenient. And it’s about using movement, rhythm, and routine to fuel creativity — not just waiting for inspiration.

Whether you’re writing a book, building a blog, or creating anything from scratch — this one’s worth your time.

👉 Find the book here: On Writing by Stephen King – Amazon UK

How to Finally Start Going to the Gym: 3 Simple Steps to Get Moving

We all know exercise is “good for us” — but that’s not always enough to actually go. If you’ve been meaning to start the gym (for weeks… months… forever), here’s a 3-step approach to finally make it happen.


Step 1: Understand Why You’re Not Going (It’s Not Laziness)

If you’re avoiding the gym, it’s probably not because you’re lazy — it’s because exercise can feel unnatural, overwhelming, or emotionally loaded.

Reading the science behind it helped me shift my mindset. This book changed everything: 👉 Read my review of Exercised by Daniel Lieberman

Learning how our brains and bodies evolved made exercise feel less like punishment — and more like a smart, human choice.


Step 2: Find a Gym That Offers Real Support (Not Just Machines)

Look for a gym that’s beginner-friendly and includes real guidance. Many offer a free induction session and free periodic 1:1 personal trainer appointments — often every 6 weeks — to help you set goals and learn how to use equipment properly.

💡 Tip: Don’t sign up blindly. Visit in person, ask about their trainer support, and choose a place that feels welcoming and supportive.

Those regular 1:1 sessions can make a huge difference in building your confidence and staying on track — especially if you’re new to fitness.

Step 3: Focus on Showing Up, Not Crushing It

Your only goal in the beginning: just go. Even if you walk for 10 minutes. Even if you don’t break a sweat.

The habit of showing up is the foundation. Intensity comes later — but routine is built first.

💡 Why it works: Identity-based habits (“I’m someone who goes to the gym”) stick better than goal-based ones (“I want to lose 10kg”).


Movement isn’t punishment — it’s a way to reconnect with your body.

Start where you are. Walk in, breathe, move, leave. Then do it again tomorrow. This is how it begins.

How to Finally Start Losing Weight: 3 Steps to Actually Begin

You don’t need a perfect plan to start losing weight — just a simple one that works with your brain, your habits, and your current life.

Here’s how to get started in 3 clear steps. These are the exact steps I recommend to anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to begin.


Step 1: Calculate How Many Calories You Actually Need

Before you change what you eat, figure out how much you should eat. Calorie awareness doesn’t mean obsession — it just gives you a starting point.

I recommend this free tool: 👉 Oviva Calorie Calculator

Knowing your daily target can help you make smarter choices — without guessing or extreme restriction.


Step 2: Choose 1–2 Small Changes You Can Stick To

Forget the big overhaul. Choose 1 or 2 small changes that move you in the right direction — consistently.

Examples:

  • Swapping sugary drinks for water
  • Eating a high-protein breakfast
  • Walking 15 minutes after dinner

💡 Why it works: Small changes build confidence. Consistency beats intensity when it comes to lasting weight loss.


Step 3: Track Your Progress Without Punishing Yourself

You don’t need to track perfectly — just track honestly. Use a food journal, an app, or even voice notes. Focus on patterns, not perfection.

What to track:

  • Energy levels
  • Hunger & fullness
  • Food choices (without judgement)

💡 Bonus tip: Add a weekly reflection — what’s working, what’s hard, what you’re proud of.

Career Change in 3 Real Steps (The Way I Did It)

Changing careers can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re not sure where to begin, what you’re good at, or whether it’s “too late.” I’ve been there. And while everyone’s path is different, here are the 3 core steps that helped me transition from stuck to studying, learning, and building a new direction.


Step 1: Read Something That Changes How You See Yourself

My shift didn’t start with a course or a job search — it started with a book. I read Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza, and it woke me up to something powerful: I didn’t have to keep living as the old version of me. I could choose again.

That one mindset shift changed everything. If you’re stuck, don’t start with job boards — start by expanding your sense of what’s possible.

👉 Read my full review of the book here.


Step 2: Find What You’re Already Good At (Even If You Don’t See It Yet)

You might not have a job title or degree that matches your dream yet — but you do have talents, patterns, and interests that have been showing up for years.

Ask yourself:

  • What problems do people come to me with?
  • What do I lose track of time doing?
  • What lights me up when I talk about it?

This step is about rediscovering your strengths and letting them guide your next direction — not your past resume.


Step 3: Invest in the Education You Need to Grow

Once I knew the direction I wanted to explore — I took the leap and applied for a Master’s in Statistical Data Science. It wasn’t easy. It felt like a risk. But that investment gave me new tools, new confidence, and opened up new doors.

Your education doesn’t have to be formal — it might be a course, a mentor, or simply consistent study. But growth comes when you back your curiosity with commitment.


You don’t need a perfect plan — just a first step.

If you’re thinking about a career change, start with belief, then discovery, then action. It worked for me — and I believe it can work for you too.

How Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself Helped Me Change My Career (Book Review)

Some books come into your life at the perfect moment. For me, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza wasn’t just a good read — it helped me rewire my identity and shift into a new career path.

At the time, I didn’t yet have a Master’s degree in data science. I was still figuring out who I wanted to be — and more importantly, who I didn’t want to keep being.

This book helped me realise something powerful: you can become someone new — on purpose.


🔍 What the Book Is About

Dispenza’s main argument is simple but radical: Your personality creates your personal reality. If you want to change your life, you have to change your thoughts, emotions, habits — and even your identity.

By combining neuroscience, quantum theory, and spiritual psychology, he explains how our internal world creates our external results — and how meditation can rewire the way we think, feel, and act.


🧠 Key Concepts I Took Away

1. You’re Not Stuck With Who You’ve Been

I had been living in cycles: overthinking, doubting, hesitating. This book showed me that I wasn’t stuck — I was just neurologically conditioned. And that conditioning could be changed.

2. Your Body Can Learn to Expect the Past

Dispenza explains how repeated emotional patterns (stress, frustration, self-doubt) become stored in the body. Your body literally expects those emotions — unless you interrupt the cycle.

3. Meditation Isn’t Just for Relaxation

This book made me rethink meditation entirely. It’s not about calming down — it’s about becoming the future version of yourself now. In his guided process, you visualise your new identity and train your body and brain to believe it before it’s real.


💬 Personal Impact: How It Helped Me Change My Career

I started using the meditations in the book every morning. I visualised becoming someone confident enough to return to academic study, to learn new skills, and to step into a field that felt out of reach.

I didn’t have all the answers, but I started to feel differently — more aligned, more capable, more ready. That’s what shifted first: not the outside world, but the way I saw myself in it.

That shift led to me enrolling in my MSc program, building a new career path, and later creating this blog to help others do the same.


📚 Who This Book Is For

This book is a great fit if:

  • You feel emotionally or mentally stuck
  • You want to change your habits, identity, or direction
  • You’re open to both science and spirituality

If you’re looking for strict academic theory, this might feel too metaphysical. But if you’re open-minded and ready for change, it’s powerful.


⭐ Final Thoughts

*Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself* helped me stop reacting as the old version of me — and start creating something new.

Change starts with identity, and identity starts with awareness. If you’re ready to shift the story you’ve been telling yourself, this book is a brilliant place to begin.

👉 Find the book here: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza (Amazon UK)

How to Destroy Your Child’s Confidence in 3 Steps (This Is What NOT to Do)

Want to ruin your child’s self-esteem quickly and effectively? Just follow these 3 simple steps.

Of course, please don’t. This is a reverse guide — because the truth is, a lot of well-meaning parents do these things without realising how damaging they are.

So let’s break it down — the “easy” way to crush a child’s confidence, and why you should do the exact opposite.


Step 1: Shout First, Ask Questions Never

Lose your temper. Yell when they make a mistake. Use phrases like:

  • “What’s wrong with you?!”
  • “How many times do I have to tell you?!”
  • “You never listen!”

Make your voice louder than their emotions, and they’ll learn one thing: when I mess up, I get punished — not supported.

💡 Psychological effect: Fear-based parenting activates the fight-flight system. Over time, this creates shame, insecurity, and emotional withdrawal — not discipline.


Step 2: Correct More Than You Connect

Only notice what’s wrong. Nag. Point out every failure. Compare them to others who “do it better.” This teaches them that love is conditional — and perfection is the only safe option.

💡 What the science says: Over-correction without warmth lowers self-worth and attachment security. It teaches children to disconnect from their own inner voice.


Step 3: Dismiss Their Feelings

When they cry or act out, roll your eyes and say:

  • “Stop crying.”
  • “You’re fine.”
  • “It’s not a big deal.”

That way, they’ll learn their emotions are invalid, inconvenient, and best kept to themselves.

💡 Long-term impact: Emotional suppression increases anxiety, weakens resilience, and destroys authentic confidence.


Please — don’t do these things.

Every parent loses their temper. Every parent feels overwhelmed. But confidence isn’t built through control — it’s built through safety, connection, and consistent compassion.

Connect before you correct. Listen before you lecture. And when in doubt, pause — even just for 10 seconds.

Your child’s inner voice is being shaped by yours. Let it be kind.

How I Created a Morning Meditation Habit in 3 Steps (That Actually Stuck)

I used to want to meditate in the morning — but I rarely did. It felt like too much effort, or like something I’d get to “later.”

But once I found the right approach (and the right video), everything changed. Here’s how I made morning meditation a real, repeatable part of my day — in 3 steps.


Step 1: Anchor the Habit to an Existing Cue

Instead of trying to “add” meditation into my morning, I anchored it to something I was already doing — brushing my teeth and drinking water. That became my cue: water → meditation.

💡 Backed by: Habit stacking and cue-based behavioural routines (BJ Fogg, James Clear)


Step 2: Use the Same Meditation Every Day

To avoid decision fatigue or endless scrolling, I used the same video every morning — no thinking, no picking. Here’s the one I used: 👉 Joe Dispenza Morning Meditation on YouTube

Having a go-to video made it easy, automatic, and familiar.

💡 Why it works: Predictability reduces resistance and builds ritual


Step 3: Reinforce the Win (Even If It’s Small)

After finishing, I take a moment to notice how I feel — calm, grounded, clear — and I say to myself: “That was worth it.” Sometimes I write one sentence in a journal or just smile. That tiny reward makes me want to come back the next day.

💡 Psychology: Positive reinforcement increases habit repetition — especially when the reward is internal


This habit didn’t change my life overnight — it changed how I show up in my life, every day.

If you’ve struggled with building a meditation habit, try this 3-step system. Use the same cue, the same video, and the same self-reward — and see how it sticks.

👉 Try the meditation I use: Joe Dispenza Morning Meditation (YouTube)

How I Rebuilt My Confidence in 3 Steps (When I Felt Like a Fraud)

I’ve had seasons where I doubted everything — my abilities, intelligence, voice, and potential. Confidence felt like something other people were born with.

But through trial, error, and psychology, I found 3 things that helped me shift from self-doubt to quiet, grounded confidence.


Step 1: Focus on Identity Wins, Not Just Outcomes

Instead of obsessing over results, I asked: “What kind of person am I becoming?” Even when something flopped, I noticed how I showed up — persistent, curious, brave.

💡 Based on: Identity-based motivation (James Clear, Dweck’s mindset theory)


Step 2: Build Micro-Proof Daily

I started tracking 1 small action every day that aligned with who I wanted to be. A message I sent. A hard thing I did. A risk I took. Each one became “proof” that I’m not faking it — I’m practicing it.

💡 Psychology: Self-efficacy grows through repetition and perceived success


Step 3: Talk to Myself Like I’d Talk to Someone I Care About

I rewrote my self-talk script. When I felt like an imposter, I asked: “If my best friend were in my shoes, what would I say to her?” Then I said that to myself — out loud.

💡 Backed by: Self-compassion research (Kristin Neff), cognitive restructuring


You don’t need to “feel” confident to act with confidence.

It’s not about faking it — it’s about practicing trust, one small action at a time. That’s how I started showing up like someone who believes in herself.

How I Broke Emotional Eating in 3 Steps (Without Dieting or Guilt)

For years, food was my coping tool — not just for hunger, but for boredom, sadness, anxiety, and stress. I knew the science, but it still felt automatic.

What helped me break the cycle wasn’t another diet — it was a shift in awareness, environment, and emotional strategy. Here’s the 3-step system that changed everything.


Step 1: Pause and Label the Emotion (Before the First Bite)

Before reaching for food, I ask: “What am I feeling?” If I can name the emotion — even just “meh” — I interrupt the autopilot response.

💡 Backed by: Emotional regulation theory, mindfulness-based interventions


Step 2: Create a Comfort Menu (That Isn’t Food)

I built a list of alternative “emotional resets” — short, sensory, or calming activities that support my nervous system:

  • Walk outside
  • 5 deep breaths
  • Talk to someone
  • Write 1 sentence in a journal

💡 Why it works: This uses behavioural substitution — replacing a learned coping behaviour with something equally regulating but healthier.


Step 3: Reframe the Slip as Data, Not Failure

Even if I do emotionally eat, I reflect afterward — no shame. I ask:

  • What did I need in that moment?
  • What could I try next time?

💡 Science: Self-compassion and reflective practice reduce binge frequency and help change stick over time.


This shift wasn’t about restriction — it was about emotional literacy.

You can change your eating behaviour without punishment. It starts with awareness, softness, and structure.