I'm happiest when I have something to work on, something that catches my fancy. When that happens, I can give it intense focus such that I float within the bubble of my attention and time flies by without me.
This, in the psychological literature, is called flow. Flow takes a person out of time and place, and becomes almost a type of meditation. It requires tasks that one is competent yet challenged in. Flow is good for creating happiness. Flow is "the zone" that people find themselves in where time flies while one is absorbed in a task.
I've been creating book covers (both e-book and traditional) for The Kringle Conspiracy, which will be coming out in time for Santa. Designing that cover gave me flow.
What else gives me flow? Writing, at least in the drafting stage. Reading. Sometimes teaching, but not lately with all the equipment I have to sling around.
It's important to have flow, to take one away from worries and stress (like COVID) and the like.
What are your flow activities?
This post originally written on September 9, 2020
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