These days, life can often feel like a whirlwind of tasks and obligations. From work deadlines to family commitments and social events, it can be hard to find balance and make time for the things that really matter.
Finding one’s flow, ikigai, finding balance, being present – these are not only great phrases to describe this state, but they are also powerful ones.
So how do we go about creating more of these in our lives?
Firstly, let us understand the power of the Flowstate. What is Flow? Flow is an optimal state of being where you feel totally engaged, focused, and motivated to perform a task well–You’re in the zone.
You become completely absorbed in the task at hand, feeling passionate and energized as you lose track of time. Although the work may be challenging, it feels natural and effortless. You can‘t stop thinking about the job, leading to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you finish.
When we are in a state of flow, our subconscious minds are more efficient in processing information.
People who are passionate about their career and/or life often remain loyal to it, as it brings them joy, financial rewards, and personal growth. Although the state of flow is unique to each individual, certain activities and experiences can trigger this feeling.
Certain types of games, sports, and exercises have been identified as potential triggers for flow. These are called elicitation strategies and have term translations such as ‘flow-inducing’ and ‘potential flow markers’.
What makes something potentially flow-inducing varies per individual.
This article will talk about some ways to learn how to create more balance and achieve this internal state of mind and relaxation.
1. Get organised
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Reviewing your current situation can be a great way to identify what’s necessary and what can be given up to bring more balance and joy into your life. Start by making a list of everything you commit to in a day, week, or month. Include both professional and personal activities, as well as any extracurricular you’re involved in.
Once you have a good sense of what’s taking up your time and energy, it’s time to start evaluating.
Ask yourself: Is this activity necessary? Does it bring me joy or value? Does it help me reach my goals? If the answer is no to any of these questions, it’s time to let it go. This could mean saying no to a volunteer opportunity or cancelling a subscription.
On the flip side, it’s important to make space for activities that bring you joy and satisfaction. This could mean setting aside time for reading, taking a yoga class, or going for a walk.
Finding balance in life doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. By being honest about what’s necessary and what’s not, and making room for activities that bring you joy, you can start to create a life that feels more balanced and fulfilling.
2. Be present
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Being present entails taking some time to concentrate on what is significant to you right now.
It’s about realising that one of the most fundamental requirements we have is to have time to just sit and do whatever we want to.
This desire includes performing everyday activities like brushing your teeth or washing, rather than merely wanting to watch TV for hours every night.
We must value the tiny things and give them our whole attention.
We must also keep in mind that chasing after expensive items like houses and vehicles may be quite stressful and that a modest home with a garden is frequently more satisfying than a flashy vehicle.
So, schedule some time to be present and appreciate the simple things.
3. Take time to reflect
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The choices we make in life can be put into perspective with the aid of reflection. It can assist us in determining our values, objectives, and purposes. We may become more conscious of our thoughts and emotions as a result, which may help us become more self-aware. Finding balance is simpler when we are more in touch with who we are.
We might become more conscious of our routines and patterns by reflecting. We can become aware of how much we’ve been working or how much we’ve been ignoring our relationships. This understanding might inspire us to make wise decisions that will help us live a more balanced existence.
Finally, introspection can encourage joy and thankfulness. Finding balance is simpler when we take the time to acknowledge the positive parts of our lives.
4. Experience new things
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Taking the time to experience something new is one of the best ways to help find more balance in your life and now, post-lockdown, we can make up for lost time.
New experiences can bring a sense of joy and purpose to your life. Trying something you’ve never done before can also challenge you in ways you never knew possible. When you step outside of your comfort zone and try something new, it can help you to develop new skills and learn more about yourself.
When you look for new experiences, start small. Maybe it’s trying new food or visiting a new place. Maybe it’s taking a class or trying a new activity. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that interests you and that you can commit to. When you take the time to try new things, it can also help you to feel more connected to the world around you. Learning about different cultures and ways of life can help you to appreciate the diversity of the world and learn more about yourself in the process.
In addition to experiencing something new, taking the time to enjoy the little things in life is also important. Taking time each day to appreciate the beauty around you can help to bring a sense of calm and balance to your life.
Finally, don’t forget to take time for yourself. The world is filled with so many things to do and see, but it’s important to remember to take care of yourself. Whether it’s getting enough sleep or taking a few moments to relax and reflect, taking time for yourself can help you to feel more energized and ready to take on the world.
No matter what you choose to do, taking the time to experience something new can help you to find more balance in your life. So go ahead and take the time to explore the world around you and find what works best for you.
5. Practice meditation
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To meditate more and more frequently is something that I have set for myself.
Every person has a varied set of needs and skill levels, hence there are many different styles of meditation. There is no way that is superior to another unless you are unable to sit still or require assistance with concentration and focus.
It may take some time to find your preferred method of meditation, but don’t give up! You’ll ultimately include it in your everyday routine because it helps you feel calm and content.
Whether you believe in a higher power or not, asking yourself questions and giving things some thought can have similar positive effects because everyone has the same brain architecture.
Give yourself time to locate a longer session that is appropriate for you.
Some advise sitting with the sole focus being on the breath while placing the hands softly on top of one another. Others advise sitting still and listening to soothing music.
Whatever approach you decide on, be sure it is convenient for you and doesn’t involve much work.
Benefit from technology. Numerous websites and apps (Headspace and Calm to name a few) provide guided meditations along with comprehensive instructions and guidance. These can help you in entering the zone more quickly and maximise your practice, whether they are audio, video, or text-based.
Take Care of Yourself – Maintaining your attention, peace of mind, and contentment is easier when you are aware of your surroundings and practise self-care. Maintaining your physical and mental health can help you find the mental clarity you’re after and make it simpler to stay in the present.
Remain Consistent – You’ll get better the more you practise. If it doesn’t seem like much at first, don’t give up. You need to practise and hone the art of meditation over time.
You’ll be astonished at how quickly you make progress and how much better you feel if you set sensible goals and stick to them. You may improve your focus, calmness, and mindfulness by using the immensely potent practice of meditation.
You just need to find the right type of practice and make sure to stay consistent.
6. Be Consistent
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Consistency is key to creating a balanced life.
Whether it’s eating healthy, exercising regularly, taking time for yourself, or dedicating time to relationships, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing something consistently. Consistency encourages routines and patterns, which can help you to stay focused and organized.
Creating a routine can help you to stay on track and to manage your time more effectively. In the book “Indistractable” Nir Eyal talks about using “time blocking” in your calendar to block parts of your days for tasks, activities and behaviours (not just meeting and appointments) to help you to stay organized and ensure that you get everything done promptly. It can also help to reduce stress, as knowing what you have to do and when can help you to feel more in control–Super handy!
Making time for yourself is also important. Taking time out of your day to relax and unwind can help to restore your energy and reduce stress. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a hot bath, or just taking a few minutes to meditate, making time for yourself can help you to feel more balanced and better equipped to take on the day.
It’s also important to set boundaries and make sure that you’re not overcommitting yourself. It’s easy to get carried away and to take on more than you can handle. It’s important to know your limits and to make sure that you’re not taking on too much.
Finally, it’s important to be mindful of your relationships and to make sure that you’re taking the time to nurture them. Spending time with loved ones and dedicating time to your relationships is essential for maintaining balance in your life.
By being consistent and making small changes, you can find balance in your life. It’s important to take the time to focus on yourself, create routines, and set boundaries.
7. Celebrate achievements
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When it comes to achieving balance in life, it’s important to celebrate your successes. Celebrating the small victories that you have achieved will help to keep you motivated, positive and focused on your goals. It can also be a great way to recognise the hard work that you have put in to reach your goals.
When we celebrate our successes, we are not only rewarding ourselves for a job well done, but we are also reinforcing the belief that we are capable of achieving our goals. This can be especially helpful for those of us who often doubt our own abilities and feel like we are not making any progress. Celebrating our successes can help to boost our self-esteem and remind us that we can be successful.
As well as celebrating our successes, it is also important to recognize our failures. We may not always achieve our goals, but it is important to recognize the effort that we have put in. It can be easy to forget the effort that we have put in when we don’t reach our desired outcome, so it is important to take the time to appreciate the effort that we have put in and recognize that it is all part of the learning process.
It is also important to remember that achieving balance in life is not just about achieving our goals, but also about taking time for ourselves. It is important to take time for things that bring us joy and relaxation, such as taking a walk in nature, reading a book, or just relaxing with friends and family. Taking time to do activities that you enjoy can help to keep you motivated and energized to achieve your goals.
These are just a few simple strategies to help you balance your life and access the flow state. With a little bit of effort, you can find balance and live a more fulfilling life–So, what have you got to lose? Get started immediately 😉
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