By Lori Marie
Have you ever found yourself completely mesmerized by a “satisfying” video? Maybe it’s someone slicing a bar of soap into perfect little cubes, painting smooth lines of icing on a cake, or organizing items with flawless precision. There’s something undeniably soothing about these repetitive, immersive tasks. They don’t just capture our attention—they quiet our minds.
But why is that?
As I sit here reflecting, I realize that these moments of deep focus mimic the effects of meditation. When we watch these videos, our minds enter a flow state—a place where distractions fade, and we become fully present. The noise of the world quiets, and our thoughts slow down. It’s as if our nervous system gets a mini vacation. It’s soothing.
What is the Flow State?
The flow state is a mental state where you are fully immersed in an activity, losing track of time and external distractions. It’s that feeling you get when you’re so engaged in something that everything else fades away. Athletes call it “being in the zone.” Artists experience it when they lose themselves in their work. It’s the same sense of presence and focus that happens when we meditate.
Flow isn’t just limited to big, creative projects or intense physical activities. It happens in everyday moments too. Watching a satisfying video? That’s flow. Walking while listening to high-vibrational music? That’s flow. Getting lost in a creative task like painting, cooking, or even organizing? That’s flow.
The Connection Between Flow and Mindfulness
When I teach neuro art or mindful art, I see the same transformation happen. People enter a state of calm, their monkey minds quiet down, and they become absorbed in the process. It’s the same feeling people get when watching a satisfying video—it draws them into the present moment.
The key to mindfulness is awareness. When we step into the flow state, we naturally become more mindful. We can hear our thoughts without being consumed by them. We start observing rather than reacting. This is where the real power lies—because once we become aware of our thoughts, we can choose which ones to believe and which ones to let go.
How to Cultivate Flow in Daily Life
Achieving flow isn’t difficult; it just requires intentionality. You already experience it when watching satisfying videos—so why not bring that same focus into your daily life?
Here are some ways to invite more flow into your routine:
Engage in repetitive, immersive activities. Whether it’s painting, knitting, journaling, or even tidying up, choose something that allows you to get lost in the process.
Move with intention. Walking, running, or even stretching can put you into flow, especially when paired with music or deep breathing.
Be present. Whatever you’re doing, do it fully. Let go of multitasking and focus entirely on the task at hand.
Observe your thoughts. When your mind is quiet, notice the thoughts that surface. Are they helpful? Are they true? Mindfulness starts when we learn to question our inner dialogue.
The flow state is meditation. It is mindfulness. It is the path to awareness. You enter it more often than you realize—sometimes through intentional activities, other times simply by watching something deeply satisfying. The next time you find yourself lost in a moment of focus, recognize it. That’s your mind at peace. That’s your gateway to mindfulness. Better yet consciously choose to do something that puts you into the flow state and be aware while you do it. In this space you have began to master mindfulness and are fully on the path to embracing yourself as a conscious creator!
So, what’s something you can do today to enter flow—intentionally and mindfully?
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