Yes, flow is a wonderful state. Pure happiness. I remember once, when I was at a large nursery, shopping for trees for a client, a salesman came up to me and said, "I have never seen anyone so happy". The odd thing is that I was not, as far as I know, smiling; not exhibiting any of the accepted indications of happiness. But I was undoubtedly in flow. And he apparently saw in my face the deep happiness that flow is. Isn't that interesting?
exactly. I thought my career would be in the corner office of a Manhattan sky rise. I had weekly manicures! In school, architecture was a career option for creatives, but there was never a mention of landscape architecture. It was like a secret calling that wasn't discussed. I have a feeling we have quite a lot in common!
I love the “flow state” concept. Mindfulness is obviously something which has become hugely popular in recent years, but I’ve never got on with it. I like the idea of connecting with the here and the now, and pushing out all other thoughts, but I struggle with the idea of “being mindful”, that is, of the act of clearing my mind being the action as well as the consequence. Flow is so much more appealing, as it is a sort of mindfulness that comes about as a byproduct of some other more enjoyable action. I do get this from gardening, but even more so during bouldering - the concentration (and creativity) required to keep your hold and not fall off the rock gets you into a highly mindful flow state. But you’re right, the intense focus demanded by many garden-based activities also takes you there and can be very therapeutic. Thanks for this post - very much enjoyed it!
When I left Manhattan and moved to Montclair, I discovered gardening because I needed an activity that didn't require a car. Having been born and raised in the city I had never learned to drive. WIth gardening I experienced the 'flow state' effortlessly and years of depression, anxiety and therapy melted away while the garden grew and eventually an entire business around it all. Yes I did finally learned to drive although not for quite a few years which were spent happily gardening on one small 1/4 acre of suburbia - a life changing thing.
Yes, flow is a wonderful state. Pure happiness. I remember once, when I was at a large nursery, shopping for trees for a client, a salesman came up to me and said, "I have never seen anyone so happy". The odd thing is that I was not, as far as I know, smiling; not exhibiting any of the accepted indications of happiness. But I was undoubtedly in flow. And he apparently saw in my face the deep happiness that flow is. Isn't that interesting?
exactly. I thought my career would be in the corner office of a Manhattan sky rise. I had weekly manicures! In school, architecture was a career option for creatives, but there was never a mention of landscape architecture. It was like a secret calling that wasn't discussed. I have a feeling we have quite a lot in common!
I love the “flow state” concept. Mindfulness is obviously something which has become hugely popular in recent years, but I’ve never got on with it. I like the idea of connecting with the here and the now, and pushing out all other thoughts, but I struggle with the idea of “being mindful”, that is, of the act of clearing my mind being the action as well as the consequence. Flow is so much more appealing, as it is a sort of mindfulness that comes about as a byproduct of some other more enjoyable action. I do get this from gardening, but even more so during bouldering - the concentration (and creativity) required to keep your hold and not fall off the rock gets you into a highly mindful flow state. But you’re right, the intense focus demanded by many garden-based activities also takes you there and can be very therapeutic. Thanks for this post - very much enjoyed it!
This thought process puts a language to the joy of gardening…
“ Gardening is an activity that is creative, self directed and gets you into the flow.”
This year for us so far:
Added Dahlias to our garden for the first time.
Stopped right before removing a dead Photinia, why not let a rose scramble up the branches while keeping the wildlife happy too?
Let’s put some ornamental cabbage and zucchini out into a border too, so beautiful
Installed a decorative chakra pole after letting it sit there 4 months waiting for inspiration on where to place it.
Seeing the wildflower seeds sprinkled last year doing their thing in surprising ways.
Now we have a Tuff-Shed and realized by swinging the double doors open we can project a movie on the back wall and watch movies with the grand kids.
Being outside, looking closer, listening- yes, flow state is a great name for it.
When I left Manhattan and moved to Montclair, I discovered gardening because I needed an activity that didn't require a car. Having been born and raised in the city I had never learned to drive. WIth gardening I experienced the 'flow state' effortlessly and years of depression, anxiety and therapy melted away while the garden grew and eventually an entire business around it all. Yes I did finally learned to drive although not for quite a few years which were spent happily gardening on one small 1/4 acre of suburbia - a life changing thing.