Kidlin’s Law states: “If you write a problem down clearly and specifically, you have solved half of it.” This idea is simple, but it carries profound implications for problem-solving, clarity, and mental efficiency. At its core, this law suggests that the act of writing is not just documentation. It is thinking made visible.

Most problems remain unsolved not because they are unsolvable, but because they are poorly understood. Vague problems cannot be addressed with precise solutions. They float around in the mind, unresolved and emotionally charged, often becoming bigger than they are. Writing forces definition. It demands detail. It transforms a swirling cloud of frustration into a set of specific challenges that can be approached logically.

The moment you begin to put a problem into words, you are already separating yourself from it. You are stepping back from the emotion and confusion, choosing to observe it from a position of control. A clearly stated problem acts like a blueprint — showing you where the cracks are, where the pressure lies, and where a solution might begin.

Writing also slows down your thinking. While the mind can jump from fear to worry to distraction in seconds, writing insists on one sentence at a time. This slowdown is powerful. It reduces cognitive overload and allows insights to surface from beneath the noise.

Take a work issue, for example. You might feel overwhelmed by a vague sense that everything is going wrong. But writing it down — “I’m behind on deadlines because I underestimated the time needed for three major tasks” — reveals the real problem: a misjudgment of time and task load. Now, you’re not just stressed. You’re aware of what needs to change: your planning strategy.

In relationships, a general feeling of tension can spiral for days. But if you sit down and write, “I feel frustrated because I don’t feel heard when I share my ideas,” you’ve uncovered a root issue that can be discussed and addressed.

Kidlin’s Law aligns with the wisdom found in many disciplines. In therapy, journaling is often recommended to process emotion. In engineering, clear problem statements are the starting point for design. In leadership, writing out plans and problems brings order to chaos.

The law also encourages honesty. When you write, you are forced to be more truthful with yourself. You see if you are blaming the wrong thing, avoiding a core issue, or clinging to a convenient excuse. Specificity does not allow room for vagueness or self-deception.

This doesn’t mean that writing automatically solves everything. But it unlocks the door. It makes the abstract concrete, the emotional manageable, and the impossible actionable.

So when you feel overwhelmed, confused, or blocked — pause. Write the problem down. Be detailed. Be specific. You may find that half the solution was waiting to be discovered in the shape of the question.