The Flow State Flow When Time Disappears!

There are moments when time stands still, when you feel carried along by an invisible wave. Time fades away, fatigue evaporates, responsibilities drift into the distance, and the whole world seems to fall silent. We move forward, step by step, focused and alert, yet lighthearted and joyful. This magical balance between concentration, pleasure, and performance has a name: it's called flow. How can we recognize it, why should we seek it, and above all... how can we invite this state of flow our daily lives? Follow the thread, and the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place!

What is flow

flow is a concept derived from positive psychology. It was described as an optimal psychological state by Hungarian-American psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in the 1970s.

You know that moment when your skills meet a challenge at just the right level? Everything falls into place: your movements flow with natural fluidity, your actions seem effortless, and your concentration becomes intense. You feel a sense of clarity, mastery, and deep satisfaction. That's it— the state of flow!

How does the state of flow  manifest itself flow

The flow statecan be identified flow nine characteristics:

• a challenge that's just the right size: not too easy (a 4-piece puzzle = meh), nor too hard (a giant 3D Rubik's Cube = despair);
  
  
• clear direction: you know exactly where you're going, whether you're hiking at 5,000 meters or trying to overtake Toad in Mario Kart ;
  
  
• absolute concentration: nothing distracts you, not even that strange text message announcing -70% on a tractor in Mongolia ;
  
  
• gestures that flow effortlessly: you type on your keyboard as if you were Mozart... even though you're just typing your password;
  
  
• losing track of time: you look up and... oops, you've already been scrubbing the bathtub for two hours as if it were made of solid gold;
  
  
• an absence of doubts and parasitic thoughts: no time to wonder whether you look cool or ridiculous in your duck booties (spoiler: yes) ;
  
  
• instant feedback: you know right away whether what you're doing is going to work or not (e.g. you attempt a backward somersault and you know before you land that you're too old for it...);
  
  
• a feeling of absolute control: you are convinced that no matter what happens, you are in charge;
  
  
• and, above all, you'll experience enormous pleasure!

And what does "being in the zone" mean?

Top athletes call this state of flow " the zone." Take Michael Jordan, for example, during the 1992 NBA Finals, when he scored six three-pointers in a row in the first half. Surprised himself, he shrugged and smiled at the end of the sixth. Or Serena Williams, in the semifinals of the 2012 Wimbledon tournament, with her 24 aces, a record in a women's match to date.

This is what "being in the zone" is all about: a state of grace, a kind of inner dance where everything seems natural. Effort becomes play, concentration is total and pleasure bursts forth with every gesture. The term "zone" became popular on the sports field, but has since been extended to many other fields.

What moments flow daily life?

flow just for elite athletes! You have probably already experienced it without necessarily knowing what it is called. Because yes, the state of flow found in many activities:

• in the kitchen: when everything comes together perfectly like a delicious choreography and the dish comes out of the oven just as you imagined it would;
  
  
• in reading: when you devour a novel without seeing night fall ;
  
  
• in artistic activities: when paintbrushes start to dance, when clay is shaped or when the body follows music... ;
  
  
• in games: chess, poker... or when you've said "Come on, just one more game!" 18 times;
  
  
• at work: when you're immersed in a task you're passionate about, even the coffee machine disappears from view;
  
  
• in household chores: yes, yes, it's true! The study Flow Across Adulthood showed that 2.8% of participants reported experiencing flow doing household chores... (Okay, that's not very many.)
  
  

👉 See also: What is slow llifestyle?

Why try to reach the zone?

Seeking to reach the zone is not just a question of performance, it is also a way of fully inhabiting the present. Mihály Csíkszentmihályi shared his theory of flow a TED talk in 2004, which he titled Flow, the secret to happiness. In this optimal state of consciousness, we give our best, but above all, we feel our best!

As an antidote to distraction, the state of flow offers flow a break where the mind stops zigzagging and we emerge recharged, proud, and filled with simple joy. And to top it all off, the effects are long-lasting: reduced stress and anxiety, increased confidence, and creativity in full bloom!

👉 Also read: 6 anti-stress activities to decompress

How to get into the flow

Each person has their own gateway to the flow state flow running along the waterfront, playing the harmonica, or aligning Excel cells—the important thing is to find the ones that resonate with you. A 2022 study reports that 15% of people have never experienced flow. Is that you too? Here are a few keys to inviting flow to knock on your door:

• Choose an activity that stimulates you: it should make you sweat a little, but with a smile.
  
  
• Cut out all distractions, especially the telephone (yes, digital disconnection is possible!) and give yourself some time out, without looking at the clock.
  
  
• Set yourself a clear but flexible goal: you don't need a long-term objective, just the next step to take.
  
  
• Be patient: allow 10 to 15 minutes of immersion for the flow to flow in.
  
  
• Enjoy the journey: flow found in the action, not in the end result...
  

👉 Also read: How to let go?

What simple activity can help you achieve flow

If you had to choose a simple gateway to achieving flow, puzzles and their many benefits would undoubtedly win the medal. They have everything: a clear goal, a chosen level of difficulty, deep concentration, and that delightful loss of track of time. The feedback is immediate (does this piece fit piece ) and the pleasure comes as much from the process as from the final picture.

Doing a puzzle is like gifting yourself a public holiday : active rest where you recharge your batteries while making progress. Absorbed in the search for shapes and colors, you enter a meditative state and distracting thoughts fade away. In short, you're in the zone...without breaking a sweat, without a timer, just with the sweet feeling that everything is falling into place.