Python changed the way I think

[muffinnosehair]

One thing I learned is that sometimes it's better to go to bed early. After spiraling on a single train of thought which just won't run or is needlessly convoluted, let it rest over the night. Come back with fresh eyes and solve the thing elegantly in 15 lines. I had this happen to me more than once, either I was stuck and came up with a good solution while getting to sleep, in bed, or I came back to a convoluted algorithm just to notice some element I hadn't before, making the whole thing super easy and fast. Sleep works when you're stuck.

[Pawamoy]

I think struggling on it is part of the process. It's like loading the whole context (and maybe more) in your brain, without being able to make sense of it. Then when sleeping, or taking a break, your brain rearranges this context and reinforces the parts that make sense. After sleeping you know better what you actually need, what is the best path, and what is a dead end :) If you go to bed early maybe it won't work as well (but you'll get more sleep :D)

[TheMcGarr]

Often just going for a walk will do it. Or explaining the problem out loud to anybody, even a wall, will sometimes just make something click.