Flow - In Pursuit of the Perfect Experience

The following examples vividly illustrate the essence of the state:

“The secret of climbing lies in the climbing itself; when you reach the top of a rock, you're glad it's over, but in reality you wish it would last forever. The justification for climbing is the climb itself, just as the justification for poetry is writing; you don't conquer anything, just the things within yourself.”

“Concentration is like breathing - you don't even think about it. The roof could fall on you, and if it doesn't hit you, you wouldn't even notice.”

“She really loves to read, so we usually read together. She reads to me, and I read to her, and somehow I disconnect from the whole world, completely immersed in what I'm doing.”

The quotes come from various people who recount their experiences during everyday activities. The first is about mountaineering, the second is about a chess game, while the third features a mother sharing time with her daughter. This might remind everyone of a few memories where hours flew by unnoticed while working on a project, doing sports, or getting creative. The flow experience is something many experience during different activities, yet the experienced feeling is very similar.

This is the magical feeling when something completely engages you, everything falls into harmony, distractions disappear, and you can be entirely present in what you're doing.

Flow is not just a passing feeling; it can also become a tool for peak performance, creativity, and happiness.

What truly makes people happy?

This was the question Csíkszentmihályi sought to answer, discovering through his research that for many, happiness is most contributed by activities that require active engagement and present an appropriate level of challenge.

According to his research, people feel most fulfilled when carrying out tasks that require skill and attention but are not so difficult that they seem impossible.

This delicate balance between challenge and skill is one of the conditions for flow. That's why it often happens that athletes, artists, musicians, and professionals link their outstanding achievements and creations to the flow experience. To experience more flow moments, it is also important to set clearly defined goals and engage in activities that are truly inspiring and meaningful to us. Immediate and clear feedback helps modify behavior in real-time, further deepening engagement in the activity. Feedback can come externally (such as audience reaction during a performance) or internally (like the sense of progress or achievement).

Characteristics of the flow experience

For those who have read this far, you might already have an idea or memory of what it's like to experience the state of flow. Now let's explore in more detail what the main characteristics, its components are.

In a flow state, we are capable of fully concentrating on the task at hand; almost nothing can distract us. In this state of complete immersion with the activity, we usually feel in control, confidently overcoming challenges posed by the task. Another important component during the merging of action and awareness is the reduction of self-consciousness. In the flow state, we don't worry about how we look or what others think of us. There is often a distortion of time—we might feel like time slows down or indeed flies by as we delve deeply into the moment. In experiencing flow, it's not primarily the end result or external rewards that motivate us (such as praise or money), but the process itself is satisfying. 

There exists a social (shared with others) version of flow. The key difference in social situations is that the participants' focus narrows differently. It is directed not just toward the activity but also toward the group. Social coordination appears (e.g., “emotional contagion” among members) and a loss of individuality, characterized by reduced self-awareness and subordination to the group. Some research suggests participants found social flow more enjoyable than solitary flow.

So why is flow so good? Those who often experience the state of flow report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction. Flow promotes personal development because it encourages the acquisition of new skills. Additionally, it can reduce stress by allowing immersion in the present moment, offering an alternative to dwelling on everyday worries. Furthermore, when in flow, you become more open to new ideas and solutions, as your mind is completely focused and free of distractions. 

If this has piqued your interest in flow, observe in your everyday life what activities lead you to experience flow, and try to consciously create the right conditions to elicit this state.