In 2025 I lost all of my savings.
I was two months away from not making rent.
I had to find some type of income, fast. And since I couldn’t bear the thought of going back to a 9-5, it meant building a business—quickly. All of this happened while missiles were flying over my head in Israel. Luckily, I built a small tutoring business that helped me get by.
I’ve been walking a tightrope ever since.
That experience has taught me something crucial about solving problems.
The problem isn’t the problem
We tend to tackle problems head-on.
Especially as men. We identify the problem, come up with a strategy, then act quickly. Decisively. Not a bad idea. But I found this approach to be tricky when you’re under extreme pressure. You simply can’t think clearly. Everything feels like too much, and you want to hide under a rock.
Here’s the golden nugget:
The problem is our relationship with the problem—not the problem itself. On its own, the problem holds no power over us. It’s a dead entity. It only acts against us when we fill it with energy, by getting worried or stressed.
WE give it its power.
Suddenly we lose ourselves in the problem.
Everything seems dark, and it feels like the world has conspired against us.
How to let go in the midst of a storm
Whenever you deal with a tough problem, try this:
Don’t react. It’s almost like the problem wants you to fight or get desperate. Do not comply. You must avoid both options. You must catch yourself and remember there must be a simpler solution to your problem. You just can’t see it yet.
Ask yourself:
“What is the simplest, easiest way to solve this problem?”
Forget about “smart” or “creative” solutions. You want simple. You want the universe, or God, or whatever you believe in, to show you the path of least resistance. More often than not, sooner or later, the solution will come “on its own.”
Letting go can be hard.
Do your thinking. Invest the necessary mental horsepower.
Then go do something else.
Take a shower, and tell yourself the solution is right around the corner.
Letting energy flow through your body
Finding a solution using the above process could take an hour or a week.
Patience is key.
Meanwhile, you want to stay as calm as possible.
Here are some ways to help you do that.
One, exercise. I love lifting heavy weights since they literally kill stress. Half the pressure is simply gone after an intense weightlifting session. It’s just the way it is. So find the type of exercise that works for you.
Two, try to sleep well. This could be tough. Some problems make us worry 24/7. Don’t use technology in the hour before bed, keep your bedroom cool, and don’t eat two hours before going to sleep. Eat something light for supper. I avoid meat in the evening. I go for eggs, red beans or lentils.
Three, stretch in the morning. For me, this is crucial for feeling good. My neck and shoulders are tense when I wake up, and my legs sometimes ache after I squat.
Lastly, avoid junk food. Nothing kills your energy faster than eating McDognalds.
Conclusion
Life can be tough (no shit). Sometimes problems just “happen,” and it seems like there’s no way out of them. By calming down and letting go of control—we get control. This is easier said than done. However, it gets easier with enough practice.