It all begins with the first step
“Of all the virtues we can learn, no trait is more useful, more essential for survival and more likely to improve the quality of life, than the ability to transform adversity into an enjoyable challenge” - Dr. Mihaly Csikszentnihalyi
Dr. Mihaly Csikszentnihalyi
This man, an Hungarian psychologist, studied and wrote many books about FLOW and how we can achieve it, but what does it mean and how do we find it?
It all begins with the first step
The Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi spent his life studying this powerful state we call flow. He wrote widely about how we can reach it, but many of us still wonder what it actually means in day to day life and how we find it for ourselves.
Before we start anything meaningful our minds can stir up a mix of feelings. We might be excited or unsettled. We might worry about how long something will take, whether we’ll manage it, or what the journey will look like. Our biology and our mental habits often jump in with predictions of difficulty, which can leave us stressed, overwhelmed or unsure where to place our attention. When that happens we can end up rushing, scattering our energy and closing the day feeling flat or discouraged.
The good news is that flow isn’t something reserved for a lucky few. With practice we can learn to meet our tasks and challenges in more grounded, functional ways so we can thrive rather than just cope. We always have the choice to shift how we respond. Instead of pushing through life on autopilot we can find satisfaction in the process itself.
A positive mindset helps us step into a space where we can concentrate fully on what we’re doing, without chasing the outcome or clock watching. Therapy often mirrors this. You set the pace. You explore what comes up when it comes up. Rather than forcing breakthroughs, you create the conditions where your natural insight can surface.
In that sense, therapy becomes a place to let things flow rather than make them happen. As you strengthen that ability to let go and stay present, you begin to carry it into the rest of your life.
Therapy offers a space for self discovery and for stepping out of old patterns that no longer support you. Over time you uncover what helps you feel steadier, clearer and more able to enter those moments of flow.
If you’re curious to explore more about this philosophy, here is an informative video.