Flow is everything
The first month of 2026 is already soon over. I am proud and happy that I have followed my promise to myself this year: spend 40% of my time doing something completely new to me.
Every Thursday and Friday, I am now learning music production. I started a tiktok and youtube account where you can follow my progress if you wish (same content posted to both of them).
It’s been great fun and very exciting to dive into something completely new. What I have noticed, is that for the first time in a couple of years, I am in flow several times per week. The concept was developed by psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in the 1970s. He described it as:
“a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience is so enjoyable that people will continue to do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.”
It is a wonderful feeling. One of the best feelings to experience in daily life, if you ask me. You forget time, you forget the room you are in. You are one with the task at hand.
Looking back, I now realize that the years when I had the most fun with photography, roughly 2016-2023, were also characterized by me being in flow a lot. Now that I think of it, flow might have been the main thing that I was chasing during those years. But now I don’t feel it as often when doing photography. Only when making music.
Why?
I think it is probably because photography doesn’t feel as challenging to me anymore. During the early years, there was an element of learning and being challenged. One of the core requirements to get into a state of flow is that you are at least a little bit challenged. The task should be difficult enough to engage you fully, but not so hard that you feel anxious/overwhelmed.
How can one make sure to be in flow more often when doing photography? I got a clue when I was doing my 6 day photo walk through Tokyo recently. I noticed back then that I was in flow a lot. The reason? I think it is because being in a new environment made it challenging. I wasn’t used to shooting in Tokyo. There were constant worries and considerations to be made on how to do it best. My mind was challenged. I had to be on my toes constantly.
So I think that I need to do more trips like that. I need to put myself in more unfamiliar situations when doing photography. I need to go to new places. But also maybe challenge myself to shoot subjects that I am not used to shooting.
What are your best tips to get in flow? I would love to hear them.
Also…
A big thank you to everyone who purchased my new Composition Handbook. I am so grateful for all the nice messages I received about the book as well. Thank you for your support, it means the world to me!