How to restore mathematical thinking?

Question

Mathematics

After more than 10 years, I needed mathematical thinking (not algebra, not formulas, it's all easy to learn), but the skills are almost completely lost.
At the moment I'm trying to figure out how to write equations for problems in physics. As you know, most of them are solved through equations. But the problem is that I no longer know how to compose them (it used to be easy), it requires a mathematical apparatus, the ability to simplify tasks and reduce the given conditions to algebraic operations.
At school, I read a book in which a good half of the pages were devoted to just this, and this book helped me learn how to simplify tasks. Therefore, who knows such books or maybe methods in a compressed form, tell me please.

Answer 1

There is only one working method.
Thought at the physical level is the result of the passage of electrical signals between neurons in chains. In order for the signal to pass from one neuron to another, a certain amount of a neurotransmitter (serotonin, etc.) is released into the gap between them (synapse). If the signals follow the same paths over and over again (with a homogeneous mental load), then the amount of neurotransmitter necessary to ensure conduction decreases, and stable connections are developed. In the end, tasks of the same type are solved in the background. If you drive a car, pay attention to how often your eyes move over mirrors, devices, just evaluate the amount of information that is processed by a separate stream and allows you to talk with a passenger when maneuvering. Solve problems and all.

Answer 2

What you are describing is not mathematical thinking.
These are algebras, formulas and a lot of practice so that you automatically remember examples and formulas suitable for a given problem.
Just take problem books and solve a lot of problems. Reading the theory does not allow you to learn to solve something on your own.

Answer 3

Practice

Answer 4

To be honest, it's a very real issue.
After some time, in the absence of practice in solving mathematical, physical or other problems, the skill of composing equations is lost, the ease of converting text conditions into systems, expressing one through the other, understanding everything how it happens. Anything a little further than "speed*time" can be problematic. I am also very concerned about this issue.
As an attempt to solve the problem - at some time I simply took school textbooks and tried to solve problems, increasing their complexity.
However, this process is quite long and labor intensive. But I don't see any other way out. In my opinion, this is the only way to refresh the lost skill. I'll be glad to hear other advice from people who have encountered a similar problem.