Is it possible to be happy and productive?
Sometimes, life makes us stop for a while — it could be for hours, days, months, or even years. When we’re stuck like this, it’s usually because we don’t know something important about our body, mind, or spirit. Since our experiences shape how we see things, the way we deal with these pauses can really affect our ability to tap into our natural creative state, which is called the "flow state."
Flow State?
The "flow state" is when you’re totally into what you’re doing, feeling focused and full of energy. This state connects with your mind, body, and soul:
Mind: you’re deeply involved in the activity, your thoughts are clear, and everything just clicks.
Body: your body is ready to perform at its best, whether playing a sport or working on a long project.
Soul: you feel great joy and fulfillment as if what you’re doing is just right for you at that moment.
Before we talk about how to reach the flow state, think about the opposite: "stagnation." When you're stagnant, your mind might feel foggy and distracted, your body slow and stiff, and your soul empty or unhappy. Understanding that these times will pass can help you handle them better without feeling hopeless or guilty.
But I get that. Some days, we’re just off. The flow state is magical, but it doesn't happen like magic. For years, I neglected some parts of myself, and things have shifted tremendously since I’ve taken a more holistic approach to how well I navigate life. It’s about changing how you think, move, and feel through mind, body and soul:
Change your mindset: when you feel off, consider them a time to prepare for creativity, not as total failures (your unconscious mind is working for you).
Take care of your body: get enough sleep, drink water, and eat well to prepare your body for action.
Nurture your soul: do things that make you happy, like listening to your favorite music or talking and laughing with a friend. It can help you stop worrying so much about being productive all the time.
Treat yourself like a system; if one part isn’t working well, it affects everything else. Taking care of each part means setting yourself up for better days ahead.
"You must love the doing, not the secondary consequences. The work itself, not what it brings, may be the real reason we are alive." — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Focusing your mind, filling your soul with good things, and making your body feel capable can help you face challenges and feel rewarded. This is what the flow state is all about.
