Before focusing on the details, Filippa Leuckfeld steps back to consider the grand scheme of it all.

The 26-years old software engineer works at Audiowell, a media company at the heart of Stockholm that focuses on wellness and mood music.

“Before I even write a single line of code, I’ve usually written down the whole system, and I try to build a clear picture,” she says.

That is the mind-intensive leg of the process, which can take some days, and typically starts by her mapping out thoughts on reMarkable. “And what I like about it is that you can have a problem, and then when you go home, instantly an idea or a solution just pops into your mind.”

“When that’s done,” she says, “I start to actually write the code.”

Letting it brew

Between beats, Filippa reaches for the Aeropress — not to wake up, but to slow down, unwind and refresh.

“Everyone laughs at me at the office because I have my own coffee kit, with my beans and stuff. It takes around 10 minutes, and then that’s a good time to just pause and prepare.”

Deep thinking and problem solving, though, she often does best at her office desk, sharply focused, with headphones on, techno playing. “But what’s interesting,” she notes, “is that the thought process keeps on going after that intense start. So I love to go cycling after one of those more intense sessions. Because then some ideas just unconsciously pop up in your mind.”

Most of the legwork

After clocking out, Filippa hops on the bike to clear her mind and collect her thoughts.

You get to see a lot of the city in just a couple of hours, she explains. And the fresh air, the speed, and the feeling of physically pushing forward helps with thinking, too.

“I love to go cycling. When you just get on the bike and you get out, everything that was probably bugging you before is just gone. Then some ideas just unconsciously pop up. And I love that.”