It also works if you write an email to no one. Just open a new email, don't even fill in the recipient address, but start explaining your problem to someone who is an expert at solving problems but that doesn't know anything about your problem. Be thorough in your explanation; mention what you've tried and the results, talk about how the thing works, how you expected it to work, what is specifically blocking you, etc.

It forces you to look at each detail again in order to explain it and you might find that your next steps seem obvious while you're in the process.

Then you just close the email and say no when it asks to save.