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How to Find Your Flow
When we young we were encouraged to touch and taste and be guided by our senses. We were praised for failing at new things yet somewhere along the way the expectations changed and so did we. We stopped being curious and got smaller as we chose things we were good at over being bad at something new. Our egos grew and our experiences shrank. Play became “just for kids” and routines (although super helpful) were valued about all else.
Is there still space in our lives for both? Can we thrive with our routines while keeping a beginner's mind and finding joy in novel experiences ? Of course we can.
Flow is the sweet spot where skill and interest collide. It is effort-fueled and the key to optimal experiences. Flow is not passive and that is it’s key. Often people picture leisure as relaxation but that isn’t the real answer to finding your calling.
COVID has amplified people’s interest in how they spend their time and there are a lot of resources out there showing you things you can do. Yet, even though so many opportunities have opened up and exhaustive lists have been created- people still say “I’m bored”. You’re bored because you haven’t found the things that move you, you’re engaging in diversional activities but not in meaning-making.