the flow state

Have you ever been so immersed in an activity or hobby that you lose all track of time? This is flow. Flow (or “the flow state”) is a concept that was coined by positive psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Being in a state of flow, or “in the zone”, means you’re engaging in an activity with focus and enjoyment that time can feel as though it’s slowing down or speeding up. One of the reasons why we fall into flow is because the skills we bring to the activity are perfectly matched with the task at hand.

People that fall into a state of flow often report intense concentration, being mindful and enjoying the present moment, losing track of time, intrinsic motivation is at the forefront (you participate in the activity because you enjoy it, as opposed to the potential extrinsic rewards it offers), a sense that “this feels natural and effortless”, and a balance between challenge and skill (the task isn’t so easy it creates boredom, but it’s not so challenging it creates frustration, stress, and overwhelm). I’ve often read in positive psychology research and literature that flow is where “joy and productivity meet.”

Finding your flow isn’t just nice to have, it’s deeply intrinsically rewarding and connected to increased happiness and well-being, as well as a sense of fulfillment, meaning and purpose in one’s life.

Where do you find your “flow”?

~Kate