Judy Bruce
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi became a happiness researcher because he was a WWII prisoner of war and saw hideous suffering. As a result of this dark period, he developed a curiosity about happiness and contentment. He worked at the University of Chicago and did extensive research.
Mihaly found: “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times…..The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”
Watching an artist at work, Mihaly became intrigued by this unique focus and persistence to continue a painting despite discomfort, fatigue, or hunger (many of my artist friends report many missed meals and sleep.). Time either slows down or speeds up. The state of “flow” is when one is so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience is so enjoyable that one will continue to do it even at a high cost.
Flow can happen in producing music, dance, writing, or art. Our limited neurological bandwidth is fully utilized during creative tasks, allowing us to lose our sense of self and focus entirely on the activity. To reach the “flow zone,” you need to be doing something difficult enough to challenge you and, at the same time, apply just enough “skill” to match it.
Why is being in a “flow zone” important? Psychologists have discovered many benefits other than “feel good,” including improved emotional regulation, happiness, performance, learning, creativity, and skill mastering. To keep things going, you may have to learn new skills. Apathy can happen when things are too easy. Up the difficulty by reaching for newer challenges or cracking even more demanding problems. That is why many artists work in new series as old ones are completed or have become mastered and boring, or why we love new materials, projects, and supplies.
And what if your brain is no longer creating due to anxiety, depression, trauma, or burnout, all of which can block creativity? I have seen this in myself and my friends due to illness, caretaking, loss of loved ones, and injuries.
You can get that spark back by:
- Exposing yourself to different elements, i.e., travel and new materials, classes at the Sonoran Arts League Studio.
- Read amazing, inventive books/magazines.
- Eat something new, somewhere new.
- Get advice from peers and brainstorm how to make ideas stronger!
- Try writing your stream of thoughts on a blank paper.
- Doodle
- Look at art! Visit the Desert Foothills Library Gallery and its art book section, museums, or the Sonoran Arts League Gallery in Carefree.
Let’s all try to experience “Flow!”
The next article will discuss Right/Left Brain thinking.
Do remember “You Gott Have Art!”
