How to find your flow

Finding your flow - also known as being “in the zone” - refers to the experience of becoming lost in whatever it is that you’re doing, entirely absorbed beyond the point of distraction. Time might even feel as if it’s slowed down.

Lily, our Growth and Partnerships Manager, finds her flow by cooking or painting. At a recent team meeting, Lily described the experience as pure mindfulness and contentment.

“When you’re ‘in the zone’”, she explained, “the thoughts and feelings which usually cloud your mind - like stress, self-doubt or worrying about whether you remembered to feed the cat this morning - are put on the back burner”.

Hearing Lily extol the virtues of finding her flow inspired us to try and find our own flows. Here’s what we learned along the way - and our tips to help you find your flow, too.

Do something you love

The first step towards finding your flow is to identify the activities you’re truly passionate about. For Lily, that’s painting and cooking, but for others it could be things like gardening, DIY projects, hiking, swimming, collaging or journaling.

Whatever the activity, the idea is that you’re motivated to do it purely for the joy it brings you - without any ulterior motive. And regardless of whether or not it helps you get into this mindful flow state, doing more of what you’re passionate about - for no reason other than wanting to - is certainly something to aim for.

Tune out distractions

Although it’s often easier said than done, creating a peaceful environment with minimal distractions will really help you be more present and focused on the task at hand. Put your phone on silent and out of sight, shut your laptop or close the door to your room if possible.

Don’t feel under pressure

When you’re doing an activity you love, don’t feel under pressure to be entirely “in the zone” - trust us, it isn’t easy! For some of us - our staff writer Esther included - one of the biggest barriers to mindfulness can be the underlying anxiety that you’re not doing it “right”.

One of the most enjoyable things about finding your flow state is the journey you go on to get there. So try not to approach it as the end goal, but rather as a way to explore new hobbies and interests (or reconnect with old ones) as you get to know yourself better.