How to Create Flow
Photo by Unseen Studio
“The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times… The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”
– Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, psychologist. From Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
As a writer, you probably know what it feels like to be in flow. Time disappears. You’re not overthinking, second-guessing, or doomscrolling. You’re just there—words coming through your fingers like water from a spring.
But how often does that actually happen these days?
With everything going on in the world—and in the publishing industry—many writers find themselves anxious, scattered, or just plain tired. The idea of “getting in the zone” feels far off, reserved for some mythical version of yourself with better sleep, more time, and fewer distractions.
The good news is that you don’t have to wait for ideal conditions or an empty weekend. Backed by positive psychology research, the flow state is a learnable skill, not just a happy accident.
What Is Flow, Exactly?
Flow is the psychological experience of being fully immersed and engaged in an activity. It’s what Csikszentmihalyi described as a state in which “action and awareness merge.”
In her chapter on Flowing with Mindfulness, Dr. Susan Jackson (2016) describes flow as a state in which:
You know exactly what you want to do
You receive clear feedback about how you're doing
You lose track of time and self-consciousness
The activity is so rewarding, you're motivated to return to it again and again
Sound familiar?
Why Flow Matters for Writers
Flow isn’t just about feeling good (though that’s a lovely side effect).
It leads to:
Better performance
Higher confidence
Reduced stress
Increased creativity
For writers, it means you’re actually writing instead of fighting resistance or spiraling into perfectionism.
The 3 Conditions for Flow
According to Csikszentmihalyi and subsequent research (PositivePsychology.com, 2021), three conditions must be met to enter flow:
Clear goals – You know what you're trying to accomplish
Immediate feedback – You can tell how it's going in real time
A balance between challenge and skill – The task is engaging enough to stretch you, but not so hard it feels impossible
Too easy = bored.
Too hard = anxious.
Just right = flow.
A 6-Step Flow Planner for Writers
Here’s how you can intentionally build a flow experience into your writing week, adapted from the “Creating Flow Experiences” exercise by Lucinda Poole, PsyD, and Hugo Alberts, PhD (PositivePsychology.com):
1.) Brainstorm Flow-Friendly Activities
When do you feel most immersed in writing? Is it drafting messy scenes? Editing with music on? Working in short bursts at a café? Jot down as many options as you can.
2.) Choose Your Top Three
Which of these feels the most exciting right now? Pick your top three. Then choose one that feels realistic this week.
3.) Assess Feasibility
Can you do this activity at least once this week? If yes, great! You’re ready to build a flow session.
4.) Meet the Flow Conditions
Ask:
What’s my clear writing goal for this session? (Ex: write 500 words, revise 3 pages)
How will I know how I’m doing? (Ex: using a timer, watching word count)
How challenging should it feel? (Ex: Not mindless, but not terrifying—aim for “just stretchy enough”)
5.) Schedule It
Pick your day, time, space, and materials. Make it easy to say yes. Set up accountability if needed.
6.) Reflect & Repeat
After the session, ask:
How did I feel before, during, and after?
What helped me get into flow?
What would I change for next time?
Want Help Creating Your Own Flow Routine?
If this process sparked something for you, and you want help designing a personalized writing wellness plan, I work 1:1 with writers to build creative energy, clarity, and joy.
Book a free consult here to explore coaching together.