On Flow State and Seasons
Once upon a time I was writing 2-3 poems a day and full of inspiration. There was a lot of dancing and romance in my life. If you know the chakra system, let’s just say my sacral was lit up like a lightning rod.
This lasted even through professional boredom and heartbreak, but as all things, the boom became a bust and I entered a 2-year period of creative drought. Or so I thought.
Did you know that most plants don’t die in winter? They hibernate. Despite the stillness, they are still active. We can apply this metaphor to our own lives.
The two years that felt fallow were a period of underground exploration and foundation building. I was tending to the roots of something that was not yet ready to germinate. As soon as I understood that, it allowed me to stress less about what others were doing and how I was “producing.”
While I was no longer producing art to share for public consumption, I began to formulate and build my business. This, too, was an act of creation.
It allowed me to focus my efforts on the things that needed to happen beneath the surface, out of sight, and protected from the climate that was not yet suitable for it.
Understanding the seasons of my life drastically improved the way that I work. To build this understanding, I had to clarify my relationship with my body, mind, and physical environment. My spiritual practice combined with my knowledge of health and behavior provided a strong foundation to achieve this. You do not need that to uncover the benefits, but it is something I offer to my 1:1 clients.
To build this awareness for yourself, a good place to start is reflecting on how your experiences align with seasonal rhythms. For example:
Winter - a time of rest and introspection as plans incubate underneath the surface
Spring - planting and initiating the plans you wish to cultivate
Summer - expansion and growth, a period of implementation
Fall - harvest time for the fruits of your labor and a time to organize and prepare for winter
As you sync up your workflow and experience with these seasonal archetypes, think about how you might prioritize your time and task list accordingly. Experiment with it. Play with it. You just might unlock your optimal flow state.
