You're One Walk Away From Your Next Big Idea

Discover How 'Solvitur Ambulando' Unlocks Creativity Through Movement

When you’re high on inspiration, you can get two weeks of work done in twenty-four hours.

It’s a magical thing.

It’s one of those rare moments when everything just clicks. You’re fully in the zone, and everything else fades away. You ride the wave, knowing it won’t last forever, but you’re holding on for as long as you can.

As Rick Rubin says,

If you’re a writer and you tap into a stream of ideas before bed, you may want to stay with it until dawn.

If you’re a musician and you’ve reached your goal of creating one song or ten songs, yet the music is still coming, capture all you can.

I sketched this, "Chasing Inspiration", when… well… I was feeling inspired.

Sometimes inspiration plays hide and seek.

But here’s the thing: inspiration doesn’t wait for you. It’s a now thing. When it hits, you have to grab it and get to work.

And when you're stuck? That inspiration is nowhere to be found.

You try everything—more coffee, a quick nap—but nothing. The well’s dry.

💡 The Unexpected Solution: Walk Your Way to Ideas

For me, when I hit a creative block, there’s one solution that never fails me–walking.

When the mental fatigue sets in, I head out for a walk—and bam, inspiration strikes!

There’s something about walking that clears the mental fog. And surprisingly, there’s even a Latin phrase for this: Solvitur ambulando, meaning “it is solved by walking”.

Solvitur Ambulando, when in doubt, take a walk in the park (or the mountains?).

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🥊 The Power of Focused and Diffuse Thinking

So, what’s happening in your brain during these walks?

Your mind operates in two distinct modes: focused and diffuse thinking.

🔬 Focused thinking is like a microscope—zooming in on specific problems, getting granular with every detail.

📷 Diffuse thinking, on the other hand, is like a wide-angle lens—it lets your mind roam freely, picking up connections you didn’t see before.

Focused vs. Diffuse Thinking: Trying to connect the dots? Sometimes you need to zoom out and let your brain do the walking.

Read my full article on focused vs. diffuse thinking below:

I believe walking activates diffuse thinking, helping your brain break out of that narrow tunnel and explore wider possibilities.

Sometimes, the most creative ideas come not from digging deeper into a problem but by stepping back and letting your thoughts wander.

When you’re stuck and going around in circles, walking allows your mind to connect unrelated information leading to inspiration.

I take time to go for long walks on the beach so that I can listen to what is going on inside my head. If my work isn’t going well, I lie down in the middle of a workday and gaze at the ceiling while I listen and visualize what goes on in my imagination.

— Albert Einstein

🛠️ Solvitur Ambulando: Solving Problems with Action

But, solvitur ambulando is often misquoted by philosophers, poets, and essayists.

The true meaning is that problems can be resolved through practical action rather than impractical theories¹.

The story goes that Diogenes, a well-known Cynic philosopher, was listening to Zeno explain his paradox. Zeno claimed that motion is impossible because it would require taking an endless number of steps.

So what did Diogenes do? He stood up, walked away, and famously muttered, “solvitur ambulando,” proving Zeno wrong.

Zeno didn’t just lose the argument—Diogenes hit him with the ultimate mic drop, and literally walked off.

Solvitur ambulando asks us to solve problems through direct action instead of endless theories or analysis paralysis. What would Diogenes do (#WWDD?)?

Developing a bias for action instead of trying to theoretically prove yourself.

Struggling to find inspiration? Don’t get stuck in Analysis Paralysis, make smart moves—take action (and maybe a walk).

🚶🏽‍♂️ Walk It Off: The Simplest Fix for the Toughest Problems

Whether it’s a physical walk or a metaphorical one, walking helps you think clearly.

The next time you’re bored, stuck, or spiralling with too many ideas, just start walking—until the day, or your mind, becomes interesting again.

The simplest steps can untangle the toughest knots.

Until next time,

Tapan (Connect with me on Twitter or reply to this email)

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1. This is detailed in this electronic version of the journal Victorian Poetry.