How to End a Mental Drought: Four Ways to Jumpstart Your Flow
Aug 15, 2022
Photo courtesy of Sinitta Leunen via Pexels
As the summer days pass by, it’s impossible not to notice the impact of the drought we’re experiencing here in Europe. Once fertile soil has turned to sand, once thriving gardens and fields are parched for water, and rivers are still instead of flowing. Have you ever found yourself stuck in a mental drought? A mental drought is when we feel "dehydrated and stuck”: unable to get moving and into the flow of life. While I can't do much about the lack of rain, I can help you recognize when you're feeling stuck and what you can do about it.
Our 21st-century lifestyle is like one big merry-go-round. Nine to Five workdays, 40-hour work weeks (in reality often longer), and the expectation that we're supposed to run at 100% capacity all year long like well-oiled machines. But we’re not machines. We’re unique individuals who experience ups and downs, can be full of energy one moment and exhausted in the next, or can transform from highly organized to a big, hot mess in the blink of an eye.
What do I mean by flow state? It’s that feeling of “being in the zone” or an activity that keeps you focused in the present moment. Children are great at living in the moment. They are so focused on whatever they’re doing, that time flies…much to the frustration of many a parent!
When we feel stuck, we may experience some of the following feelings: time passes slowly, we feel bored or anxious, we begin to worry or start with negative self-talk, and lack a feeling of connection with what we're doing. So what’s a gal got to do to get in the flow?
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi popularised the notion that people are happiest in a state of flow. In other words, people are happiest when so engrossed in an activity that nothing else seems to matter.
A few of Csikszentmihalyi’s ingredients for activating and staying in a flow state are:
- Challenging tasks or activities but within our skillset
- Clarity of the end goal
- Frequent feedback from peers or managers
- Focused on the process, not the end goal
- Free of distractions
- A feeling of control over the task
Do any of these sound familiar? If not, jot a few of them down in your agenda and take a look at them before starting your next project at work or home. Better yet, try one of these four tips for getting your creative juices flowing:
Give Yourself Some Space
As Eckhart Tolle says, “Stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found.” Practicing breathwork or mindful meditation is an excellent way to clear the mind and jumpstart your flow state. Practice a quick and easy breathing exercise to help regain focus- you can find it here.
Find Your Rhythm and Stick to It
Most of us already have a work rhythm: for example, Monday morning meetings are off limits but Tuesday through Thursday are days the creative juices are flowing. Notice when you feel most productive during the day or week. By discovering your own personal rhythm, you can become more productive. Be intuitive. Schedule challenging activities when you typically have higher levels of energy and focus and leave the easier tasks for another time of the day/week.
Get Moving
How many times has the solution to a problem popped into your head during a walk? Or after a relaxing stretch or Pilates session? A calm body means a calm mind. Get your flow going by stretching, wearing clothes you feel good in, and keeping hydrated throughout the day.
Challenge Yourself
Living a calm and balanced life doesn't mean living a boring life. We need to challenge ourselves to stay engaged and find pleasure in the activities we do. The more we find ourselves in the flow, the more we experience a sense of clarity, fulfillment, and happiness.
Last, don’t forget to enjoy the process. It’s great to have the end goal in mind, but obsessing about it can distract you from the delights of traveling the path to get there. Rest assured that continued practice of living in the present moment and creating the conditions for your flow state will reward you with an abundance of happiness.
