For a long time, I kept my artist self and my therapist self in separate rooms. One of them made strange art, played in delightfully weird performance bands and stickered the city. The other one sat with clients and took notes. Only in the last few years have I let the two of them meet, and what I've discovered is that the thing that connects them is flow, that magical state where time disappears, the inner critic goes quiet, and something larger seems to move through us.
The name of my practice, Ebb and Flow, isn't an accident. I believe flow is one of our most natural paths to healing, and that it's available to every one of us, whether you call yourself an artist or not.
[PHOTO: Bren's art or creative space]
What is a flow state?
Flow is the term psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi gave to the experience of being so absorbed in what we're doing that we lose track of time and of ourselves. You've probably felt it while painting, dancing, gardening, playing music or even washing dishes on a good day. In flow, we stop watching ourselves from the outside and simply become the activity. It feels good, and it's also deeply restorative, a little like meditation with your hands.
Why flow is healing
So much of our suffering comes from the endless loop of thinking about ourselves, replaying the past and worrying about the future. Flow gently interrupts that loop. When we're absorbed in making something, we get a rest from the harsh voices in our heads and a chance to reconnect with the playful, curious part of ourselves that has always known how to create. I've seen this especially with grief. When words run out, art can hold what we can't say, and making something in honor of someone we love can become a way of staying connected to them.
Tips for finding flow as an artist
1. Lower the stakes
Flow doesn't like pressure. Give yourself permission to make something "bad," something silly, or something no one will ever see. Healing doesn't have to be work, and neither does art.
2. Thank your inner critic and carry on
When the critic shows up, and it will, try thanking it for trying so hard to protect you, then gently say, "thanks, but no thanks," and keep going.
3. Set the vibe with music
I build playlists for everything, from KAP sessions to dish washing, because music is one of the fastest ways I know to drop into flow. Try making a playlist just for your creative time and pressing play as a signal to your body that it's time to make.
4. Start with a few minutes of stillness
A short meditation or a few slow breaths before you begin can clear the mental clutter and help you arrive. My Meditation Club tagline is to make dropping into flow state on the daily more easeful and fun, and this is exactly why.
5. Go outside
Our relationship with the natural world is essential for our wellbeing, and nature is an endless source of inspiration. Take your sketchbook to the river, collect leaves, or simply walk until an idea finds you.
6. Play like a kid
Grab crayons, coloring pages, clay, costumes or glitter. Some of the most profound moments I've witnessed have come through gentle, curious play.
7. Make art with other people
Creativity is contagious. Gathering friends to make art, dance or share music together reminds us that we're not separate, and that we are all in this beautiful mess together.
Resources I love for creative flow
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, a gentle, wise book about creativity as a spiritual practice, along with his podcast Tetragrammaton
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, especially the daily practice of morning pages
The art of Yumi Sakugawa, whose illustrated books, including Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe, beautifully blend art and spirituality
My Meditation Club, where members receive weekly meditations, my art, coloring pages and curated playlists to support a daily creative and mindful practice
[Bren: add any other books, artists or playlists you love here]
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be an artist to find flow?
Not at all. Flow is available to anyone, through cooking, gardening, dancing, writing or anything that absorbs you. You don't need talent, only curiosity.
Can art help with grief?
Yes. Art can give shape to feelings that are too big for words, and creative rituals can help us stay connected to the people we've lost. As an art therapist I often weave art making into grief work.
How is flow connected to psychedelic integration?
Many people come out of a KAP or psychedelic experience feeling open and inspired, and creative practices are a beautiful way to integrate what they discovered. Drawing, journaling, movement and music can all help bring those insights into everyday life.
Let's flow together
If you're longing for more creativity and ease in your days, I'd love to have you in the Meditation Club. And if you're a therapist, artist or healer who wants to explore this work more deeply, you can learn about my supervision, coaching and talks, including my "Flow State for Healing" presentation, on my Services page.