What Makes You Lose Track of Time—and Why That Matters

You know that feeling when you're so immersed in something that time slips away? One minute you're tinkering with a recipe or deep in a puzzle, and suddenly it's been two hours and you haven't checked your phone once. That’s not just a good day. That’s flow.

Psychologist Mihaly Csíkszentmihályi (pronounced CHEEK-sent-me-high-ee) coined the term flow to describe that mental state of complete absorption, where you’re fully present, challenged just enough, and effortlessly aligned with what you’re doing (Csíkszentmihályi, 1997; 2014). When you're in flow, your sense of self fades, time distorts, and all that matters is the task at hand.

Flow isn’t just a productivity hack. It’s a sacred state.

I’ve experienced flow while writing, dancing, even organizing (yes, I know). There’s a moment when I stop thinking about how I look or whether I’m doing it “right” and instead fall into rhythm with the moment. It’s not performative. It’s presence.

Research shows that regularly entering flow states improves emotional regulation, boosts creativity, and contributes to overall life satisfaction (Nakamura & Csíkszentmihályi, 2009). It’s not about escaping life—it’s about fully entering it.

And yet, many of us have gone years without experiencing it. We’re too distracted, overextended, or caught in other people’s expectations to even notice what makes us come alive.

Let’s change that.

Try This

1. Make a Flow Memory List

Think back to the last few times you lost track of time in a good way. What were you doing? What made it feel immersive? This is your personal flow blueprint.

2. Notice the Pattern

Are your flow moments tied to creativity? Movement? Solitude? Service? These clues can help you recreate that state more often.

3. Schedule Flow Time (No, Really)

Block out an hour for something you know invites flow. Not to be productive, but to reconnect. Start with just 30 minutes if that feels easier—set the container, and let yourself drop in.

When you prioritize flow, you’re saying: I deserve to feel good doing what I love. I’m allowed to be fully present. This post was inspired by Cultivating Inner Peace. If you want to reconnect with that aligned, light-filled version of yourself, the book offers gentle, grounded guidance. Find it HERE.

References

Csíkszentmihályi, M. (1997). Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life. Basic Books. Csíkszentmihályi, M. (2014). Flow and the Foundations of Positive Psychology. Springer. Nakamura, J., & Csíkszentmihályi, M. (2009). Flow theory and research. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (2nd ed., pp. 195–206). Oxford University Press.