What is Flow Theory?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUsOCR1KKms&t=154s

The idea of flow has existed for centuries, but it was formally described in the 1970s by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Studying artists, scientists, athletes, and writers, he noticed a common experience: deep absorption, loss of time awareness, and complete engagement in the task at hand. He called this state “optimal experience.”

Flow tends to arise when an activity is intrinsically rewarding, goals are clear, feedback is immediate, and the challenge matches one’s skills. If a task feels too easy, boredom appears; if it feels too difficult, anxiety takes over. Flow lives in the balance between the two, supported by focused attention in the present moment.

Flow can’t be forced, but its conditions can be cultivated — through meaningful goals, reduced distractions, sufficient time, and the ability to reflect and adjust along the way. Over time, moments of flow can shape habits, and habits can quietly change how we experience work, learning, and life.