The Creative Flow Guide (6 ways I harness it)
Flow state is in the zeitgeist. And it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. But can we learn to command it – on demand?
Totally.
So welcome to my creative flow handbook. This is how I hop in and out of artistic flow everyday.
Let’s get it.
Table of Contents Show
What Is Creative Flow?
Most of us have experienced a state of flow at some point. So what is it exactly?
Here’s my take.
Creative flow is a flow state where you’re so immersed in the task at hand, you’re creating from a place of pure intuition and ease.
You often lose track of time and experience pure present moment awareness.
(really, it’s like meditation)
Thought and logic have left the creative process and ideas flow without much effort at all.
Or as Lloyd Christmas puts it, “A place where the beer flows like wine.”
So let’s look at a few of my favorite benefits of this artistic flow point.
Benefits of Finding Artistic Flow
Boost productivity and get more done
It’s a less stressful way to create
Finding your flow is serious motivation for your project and process
Strengthen your skills through highly engaged practice and work
Experience more personal fulfillment
Creative works feels effortless
Boost your creative authenticity
Elevate the creativity of your work
Experience creative serendipity and more lightbulb moments
Have more fun and enjoy the process
How to Find Your Creative Flow (6 tips)
Let’s tap into our creative flow state.
These are my top moves to get to a place of flow.
1. Don’t Think (feel)
Creative flow happens when we’re not thinking – when we’re completely lost in the moment.
It’s emotional and cathartic. So this is my first strategy for finding flow: stop thinking and start feeling.
For me, this means creating with my heart (not my head). And this starts with first setting the intention.
I avoid reasoning my way to some novelty or creative spark. Instead, I rely on intuition and spontaneity (more on these just below).
I refrain from judging my work. And I separate from myself and my perceived identity.
It helps to imagine as if you’ve just arrived and know nothing at all and no one (this is a meditation “magic” technique I picked up from RJ Spina).
When I do it right, it’s just me and my creative mood.
Anything goes and I use my emotion and feeling as a guide.
Of course, this is all easier said than done – and requires some patience and practice – but it’s a skill well worth developing.
So don’t think. Just set the intention, try to live in the moment and feel it.
Recommended: Creative Freedom (+ how to find it)
2. Harness Spontaneity + Intuition
For me, spontaneity and intuition are close friends.
Spontaneity is the active response to some intuitive push or sudden drive to do something.
Often, we set aside logic and reason when acting spontaneously or intuitively. This is the perfect environment for creative flow.
So my advice here is to lean into your creative inklings or intuitive pushes to do or try something.
Embrace spontaneity.
Explore the mood, even if it turns out to be nothing or a creative “flop”. Getting into the habit of recognizing (and acting on) your artistic intuition is an awesome skill to harness.
Also, the stuff we act on spontaneously often represent the things we’re most passionate about or have deep values for.
So this is also an exercise in self awareness and development.
Recommended: How to Do More of What You Love
3. Address Flow Bottlenecks
Reaching creative flow requires a level of mastery with your craft.
So the biggest flow bottleneck (in my experience) is a skill deficit.
For example, if you want to reach a flow state with music production, you’ll need to know your DAW software like second nature and how to produce a desired sound without too much thinking.
Reaching a point of flow often requires a level of skill or technical know-how.
Of course, some things can be done in a flow state as a beginner (such as casual art or intuitive abstract painting).
But for many cases, a skill deficit can be a serious artistic block.
So consider your weaknesses and try addressing any bottlenecks.
On the other side of skill development is often a renewed sense of flow and energy.
Recommended: 14 Creative Barriers to Avoid
4. Delete Distractions
Distractions destroy creative flow. And there are too many to count.
Doom scrolling, Netflix, internet rabbit holes…
Our attention is constantly being pulled in multiple directions – everyday, in every way and all the time. Consumption – especially digital – has gone rogue.
But…
We still have control.
There are a few tricks that can nip this distraction in the bud (which will be essential to finding your flow).
So here are some ways to manage distraction and optimize for an artistic flow state:
Turn off notifications (out of sight, out of mind)
Tidy up my home screen (organize and delete apps)
Tidy up your space (too much clutter is a distraction)
Go to a new space (a new space can bring fresh energy and more creative focus)
Use an app timer (to limit daily use of certain apps)
Practice awareness (catch yourself in the trap of distraction)
Consume different content (that’s closer to your goals or creative skill building)
Turn your phone on grayscale mode (take away the color on your phone)
Recommended: Finding Creative Focus (my top tips)
5. Embrace A Play Mindset
Getting into flow is much easier when we optimize for fun and play.
After all, what is creativity but intelligence having fun?
And a lot of this (for me, at least) comes down to mindset. So let’s embrace a play mindset.
A play mindset is one that sees the optimism, fun and light side of everything. And it’s a core part of going with the flow for life in general.
So it makes sense that it should work for creative flow also.
Let’s leave seriousness at the door and optimize for fun.
This means no concerns over engagement or likes or trying to measure how creative you are.
Just enjoy the ride and whatever happens, happens.
Recommended: How to Be More Carefree (12 tips)
6. Practice Present Moment Awareness
It’s time to get still. Let’s practice present moment awareness.
As you may know, the benefits of a still mind extend way beyond creativity. So this is definitely a tip well worth your time.
The best way to live in the present moment (I’ve found) is through meditation.
My meditation routine has boosted both my creative life and my personal one as well (more calmness, less stress, better mindset…the list goes on).
Stillness is like muscle training for patience and tuning into your intuition.
And these are awesome skills when it comes to finding (and keeping) a creative flow state.
So find a comfortable spot, turn on some calming music, close your eyes and simply become aware of your thoughts.
The goal isn’t to eliminate thoughts (that’s impossible). But rather, just try to observe them and not attach yourself to anything.
This is how I hop into a meditative state (but then again, I’m no expert).
Ebbs + Flows…
The truth is, creative flow won’t always be there. And it’s not always consistent.
Like everything, it’ll ebb and flow (quite appropriately).
Sometimes, your flow state will come in waves, like a stream of consciousness followed up with nothingness.
Other times, it’ll be short-lived (maybe just for a few minutes).
This is all okay – this is all normal.
But the more you show up, trust your creative intuition and keep practicing this flow state, the better you’ll become at it.
It’s a creative skill, really.
So don’t feel bad if nothing’s happening. Stay patient and stay the course.
It’s all part of the process.
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