The Theory of Flow: What’s your favorite way to play?

Have you ever been so entranced in a task that you forget all about what’s around you? Have you ever lost all sense of time while participating in a particular activity? Have you ever wondered why artists can paint for hours on end or musicians can practice for an endless amount of time?

Children learn through play, but as adults, we “play” differently. Our activities may look different than a child’s, but we are still in a state of learning. Mihály Csíkszentmihályi said “Playing is not for the sake of getting something, but it is for the process and enjoyment” (Beard, 2015). And it’s exciting, our minds are fully in tune with the project we’re completing, whatever we’re playing. We fully enjoy the task. It’s times like these that our "consciousness intensifies, self-consciousness disappears, and we perform at our best” (Sutton, 2025). What is this state of mind called?

Csíkszentmihályi is a theorist in Positive Psychology, and his theory of flow is all about being completely immersed in the moment (Sutton, 2025). The outcome is not why we pursue these special activities, it’s the process (Beard, 2015). This means we are not motivated by rewards, the motivation comes from within us to learn and apply ourselves. Having this sense of deep focus also boosts happiness (Sutton, 2025). How do we enter this state of flow? In order to experience flow, “balance, clear goals, and focus” are all needed. Watch for more specifics in the next blog post on flow!

Adams, L. (n.d.) Green blue flow [painting]. Renjeau Art Studios. Retrieved on February 25, 2026 from https://www.renjeau.com/artwork/adams-lynne/green-blue-flow-24x24-acrylic-painting-on-canvas/

Beard, K. (2015). Theoretically speaking: an interview with mihaly csikszentmilhalyi on flow theory development and its usefulness in addressing contemporary challenges in education. Educational Psychology Review 27(2). https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=orla57816&id=GALE%7CA713722089&v=2.1&it=r&aty=shibboleth 

Sutton, J. (2025). Mihaly Csikszentmilhalyi: The father of flow. Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-father-of-flow/