Remembering Flow

I realized today that perfectionism and dissociation are the opposite ends of my spectrum of dysfunctional coping strategies. I either totally check-out and do things on autopilot or I get possessed by anxiety and have emotional upheavals over every tiny detail of a task. Either method comes with its side effects and blocks to success. The real gold in this realization is that I remembered how I completely forget, over and over, about calm awareness or “natural” awareness--that lovely state of balance where things happen by being in Flow. I have been here before. I will probably be here again. Nevertheless, I endeavor to make these getting-lost-in-the-wilderness times less frequent and less intense.

Some signposts for myself:

1.       Inhabit your body as soon as you awake. Breathe, stretch, drink tea, do yoga.

2.       Slow….down. Start your day by doing small, simple tasks slowly and mindfully.

3.       Experience the natural world. Get outside for even a few minutes each morning. Sweep the front walk. Weed a square foot of flower bed. Have tea on the back porch.

4.       Don’t think—Experience. Use all of your five senses without creating a monologue in your head.

5.       Ask, “What would make me smile right now?” Smile

6.       Walk somewhere as often as possible. Don’t hurry. Take a photo and blog about it.

7.       If you have to do something that will take you out of Flow, ask for assistance from someone who can remain grounded.

What I’m reading now:

Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life

By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi