Mindful Art Practice: Working in Flow
One of the magical things that can happen with an art practice is achieving a flow state while you are creating. Flow, also known as being “in the zone,” is a psychological state characterized by deep concentration, heightened focus, and complete immersion in an activity. It is often described as an occurrence where people are so fully engaged in a task that they lose track of time, experience a sense of effortless action, and receive satisfaction from the process itself.
I personally feel so much peace and joy when this happens, but it’s not always easy to get there. It can actually be very challenging to try to get into a creative mode when I’m in a bad mood, or frustrated. When I am able to work in a flow state, I find that I am able to increase my productivity, stay focused, and create some of my best work. Here are some ways that can help you achieve the bliss that comes with working in the flow:
Focus on the Present Moment: I like to clear my space of any distractions, including my phone. I silence notifications, and allow myself to be fully present and dedicated to this time. I find that it helps for me to have a good chunk of time (I like a window of 4 hours - I know that is a long time! That is just what works for me personally, but you will have to experiment to see what works for you.) I find that having a clear schedule for a few hours allows me to free my mind from thinking about other tasks, or worrying that I will have to stop in the middle of a good session.
Set the Space and Intention: I take note of the factors or conditions that help me enter a state of flow and incorporate them into my routine. For me, this is clearing my workstation so I have a fresh and clean area to create in, making a warm cup of tea, lighting a candle or turning on my warm lamp, and listening to music. Some people enjoy meditating first or engaging in other pre-activity rituals that help signal to your brain that it is time to focus.
Embrace Challenges: It can be really frustrating when something just isn’t turning out how you want it to. I’ve been creating art for 20 years now, and this still happens to me, regularly. While I do find that I encounter less of this when I am working in a flow state, sometimes those challenges can still knock me out of my glorious flow. When that happens, I take a moment to check in with myself. Is it possible to take a deep breath and try again? Or would it be better to move on to another project or task? Either way, I try to embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, and approach them with a mindset of curiosity.
Practice Regularly: Regular practice and repetition is key to developing any new skill, including entering a flow state. The more you do it, the more familiar and comfortable you will become with it, making it easier to enter a state of flow. Consistent practice builds skill, confidence, and fluency, enhancing your ability to achieve flow more consistently. I am personally working on creating more time in my busy work schedule to do this!
By incorporating these strategies into your practice, you can create the conditions conducive to flow and enhance your ability to enter this state of deep engagement and enjoyment. Whenever I am able to work in this way, I feel at peace. Time flies by! It boosts my productivity, and I am able to produce some of my best work. I’d love to hear about your own experience working in a flow state - share in the comments!