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What is Flow Theory?
I have talked a little about positive psychology. But just in case you are new, positive psychology is the study of what makes life worth living. It explores scientific concepts such as resilience, mindfulness, meaning and purpose, and more. Another method of positive psychology worth exploring is flow theory. (Read: 14 Ways to Say Goodbye to Angry Mommy.)
The Definition of flow theory is:
“Flow is a state of being so absorbed in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. It’s characterized by heightened focus, concentration, enjoyment, and a sense of control. “
Flow theory is not good or bad. However, it is a big part of positive psychology for several reasons. When you are able to truly immerse yourself in an activity that brings you joy, you are more likely to find meaning and purpose in your life.
Origins of Flow Theory
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi was born in 1934 in Hungary. He is widely considered one of the pioneers of the “scientific study of happiness.” As a child, he experienced hardship, partly due to World War II. He spent time in an Italian prison and lost several family and friends. During his challenging moments, he began to really love chess. It was during this time that he started to pick up on aspects of “flow theory.”
Csikszentmihalyi has conducted studies on this flow theory, and his most popular book is “Happiness as a Flow-LIke State.” In it, he explores the idea that happiness doesn’t stay fixed. Instead, we can experience flow in our lives, and with it, happiness grows.
Flow has several components that go along with it. These include:
Eight Components of Flow
- Merging of action and awareness
- Centering of attention
- Loss of self-consciousness
- Distortion of time
- Clear goals
- Clear, unambiguous feedback
- Control
- Autholectic enjoyment
Mindfulness and well-being go hand in hand with flow. When we are able to find something to fully imerge ourselves in, to the point where we find complete enjoyment, then we may experience a greater sense of well-being. Flow requires being mindful though.
How to Find Flow
There are many different avenues where people can find flow. There’s even a study that states that many new moms experience a greater sense of flow when they are taking care of their new babies.
In order to find flow there are several areas of focuse. It’s important to find something that really brings you joy. Is it learning a new skill like chess? Do you enjoy painting or writing? Whatever your passion is, this is a good place to start.
Once you find your passion, it’s a great idea to set clear goals that bring a little bit of challenge to you. These goals will give you something to look forward to and crush.
As you meet each goal and challenge, your skills will strengthen, and you will continue experiencing flow.
Flow comes easier when you limit distractions as well.
Benefits of Flow
Once you do find your flow, there are so many benefits that come along with it.
Increase Your Motivation
Flow increases your motivation. This is because when you are fully immersed in something you absolutely love, you’re going to want to motivate yourself to continue moving forward. Learn a new skill, brush up on strengths, and see how far you can take your passion. When you are motivated, you are more likely to have an increase in well-being.
Positive Mental Health
Positive psychology is all about growing positive mental health and outlook. A great way to have a positive impact on your own mental health is finding flow. This goes hand in hand with finding your purpose and meaning in life. Now flow doesn’t only come when you are meeting your purpose, but also in the form of hobbies.
Have you ever been in the middle of a really good book, and before you know it, five hours have passed? This is an element of flow. You are so immersed in a good book that you have lost consciousness of everything going on around you, even time.
Well-Being
Increasing your well-being is an important goal in positive psychology. When we have an increase in well=being, then we are more likely to set and meet goals, develop resilience, etc.
Increased Creativity
Many people find their flow while developing their creativity. There are so many ranges of creativity as well. The more you find yourself in flow, the more increase of creativity you may start feeling. Those creative juices will just start flowing.
How to Add Flow Theory into Positive Parenting
Now that we have talked about flow and what it means, how exactly can you add it to positive parenting? There are many ways to do this. Not everyone feels flow when they are in the middle of parenting.
There are so many distractions that pull us away from our kids. Bills, jobs, sickness, disagreenments and so much more. However, you can still shoot for finding your flow as a mom and teaching your kids how to find theirs.
Deep Concentration
When you are in the middle of flow, you will develop a deep concentration. This is extremely helpful as a parent. If you put aside distractions (your phone, social media, tv, etc.) you may find yourself better equipped to into a flow when you are with your kids.
Be With Child in the Fullest Sense
If you want to be in the flow as a parent, one way to do so is to be with your child completely. Now, this means putting away the things that are pulling you away from them. It doesn’t have to happen all the time, obviously, chores and jobs still exist.
However, you can put aside some time to get off your phone and give your attention to your children completely. You may find that the more you do this, the easier it is to enter flow when you are in your child’s presence.
Engage in Play with Child
Play is an important part of childhood. Children expereince flow during play and parents can to. Even if you don’t like to play, you can take your child to the park, play a game, or do a fun craft.
Help Children Find Their Flow
You can help your child find their flow by encouraging them to explore their passions. Does your child love art? What about dance? Are they really into reading? Whatever their passion is, open the door for them.
Encourage your child to also push through challenges and put themselves out of their comfort zones. If your child doesn’t try something new, they may not be able to ever find something that they love.
For example, when my daughter was four, she tried ballet, but the dance teacher and I did not jive well together. So, she stopped after a couple of months. When she was seven, a new dance study opened up in our town. I knew she loved to dance, and I asked her if she wanted to try it. She said no immediately. I pushed her a little bit and said I really thought she should give it a try. Just for a semester, if she really didn’t like it, she didn’t have to.
Five years later, ballet is her passion. Her dream actually is to be a professional ballerina and she is well on her way for training to be en pointe.
My point here is if I didn’t encourage her and push her just a little bit, she never would’ve found her passion of dance. We can be a student of our child, and if we notice that they have a strength it’s okay to push them outside of their comfort zones.
In Conclusion
Flow theory, as I mentioned before, can benefit your life in many ways. It can help you find your passions and, in turn, passions and meaning. When we find our passions in life, our well-being will increase, and so will our fulfillment and joy.
What to do next:
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