Let's Flow
Stolen Focus, Faerie Smut, Gilded Age, The Weekly What
I recently read Johann Hari’s Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again. It’s about how modern life, specifically modern technology, has robbed us of our attention and with it our time, ability to focus, and creativity. The book is fascinating, horrifying, and affirming. If you’re looking for some motivation to cut down on screen time, say hello to your next read!
Anyway, there’s an entire section on reading, which I deeply appreciated. First, he discusses why it’s so hard for people to read and enjoy reading nowadays. Grim. But the really interesting bit was when Hari explained while reading one enters a state of flow. I’ve long understood reading to be relaxing, in fact, it’s my primary source of relaxation and a big reason I enjoy doing it. If I can get into a book everything else falls away. I’m transported and entranced by the story, compelled to focus only on the page before me. In fact, it no longer even feels like I’m reading words from a page, it feels like I’m just experiencing them; I’m totally plugged in. For someone whose thoughts are often all over the place this feels wonderful.
Well, turns out, that thing about reading I’ve always enjoyed is actually flow state. This is the state people are referring to when they say they’re “in the zone”. It’s a positive experience where mind and body meld, you’re effortlessly focused, time becomes irrelevant, and you’re fully absorbed by a single task. I imagine when authors say a book just poured out of them, they’re experiencing flow state.
Achieving flow has benefits, the experience breeds feelings of positivity, reward, clarity, creativity, fulfillment, and just overall happiness. It can help guard against burnout, anxiety, and depression, and lead to better resilience. Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi began researching flow in the 70s after becoming fascinated by artists lost in their work. He considered flow the secret to happiness.
Truly fascinating. In Stolen Focus Hari’s prescription is we should all seek to achieve flow as frequently as possible (duh, do you need to review those benefits?!) The downside, of course, is most of us don’t live our lives in a way that promotes flow and technology specifically has a very negative impact on our ability to experience flow. Basically, I now feel as though I’ve been given license to read as much as possible (as if I don’t already!) because, hello, it’s good for my brain and overall wellbeing.
Ipso facto, reading is the secret to happiness.
Shop Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again on Amazon | Bookshop
How do you achieve flow state? Do you find it harder to achieve now than you did a decade or more ago?
What I’m…
Reading
The Blueprint by Rae Giana Rashad. Published this week and I loved it!
The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown. Third book in a beloved series that is supposed to be adapted to film later this year. Read aloud with the kids.
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. This book is coming in early March. I really enjoyed it; perfect Valentine’s Day reading.
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetskhy. Current read. All the #weirdlittlebook vibes.
Listening
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey. A grief steeped love story. I can see why this is getting good buzz.
Today, Explained: Why America Loves Faerie Smut. An interesting little look at the romantasy genre and book trends overall.
Watching
The Traitor (Peacock). We watched the first episode of the first season. I don’t know that this one is for me. Or rather, it might be, but it appears to require some buy in/work to get into and I don’t know if up for it. If you love this show let me know!
The Gilded Age (Max). From the creators of Downton Abbey. I’ve only watched one episode, but I really love it so far! The second season just finished up in late 2023, there is a 3rd season coming, I assume late this year. Unexpectedly perfect pairing with Edith Wharton’s The Custom of the Country, which I read in January.
Pride and Prejudice (2005; Peacock). I finished a reread of Pride and Prejudice last week - loved - so viewing an adaptation was a must! This is the only TV/film adaptation of P&P I’ve ever seen, it was both my 2nd watch and read. Matthew Macfadyen plays an excellent Mr. Darcy! I suppose I should at least watch the much beloved 1995 BBC miniseries at some point to compare. I understand it more closely follows the book.
Eating & Drinking
Cheeseburger Sliders were the perfect addition to our Super Bowl spread.
This Lentil and Sausage Soup is a favorite. I recommend adding some spinach or kale at the end. Can also be made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Sheet Pan Quesadillas are a game changer!
Cheese Fondue is a family Valentine’s Day tradition! It’s simple to make and fun to eat. I serve it with bread cubes, sliced and sautéed smoked turkey sausage, lightly steamed broccoli and asparagus, chopped apples, and grape tomatoes.
And of course Valentine’s Day begs for a sweet treat! I’ve made these Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies the last few years. They are rich, decadent, and pair perfectly with the holiday.
Links + Loves
These little makeup spatulas are amazing! They pay for themselves because they stretch product so much farther. Especially serums and creams you only need a pea size amount of I can get days worth of product out of bottles I used to toss! That stuff ain’t cheap, don’t waste a drop.
I bought one of these candle lighters for my daughter for Christmas. They’re so neat I had to get one for myself! I love that they’re rechargeable.
S/O candles, this Bookstore scented candle from Frostbeard Studios is my current favorite.
Really appreciate this discussion of book reviewing and framework for literary criticism from the
.I feel like I was generally aware of this, but what a wild story. Worth a re/read considering A.J. Finn (author of The Woman in the Window) has a new novel publishing this month.
I’ve made no secret of my interest in/horrification of algorithms (in general, but also) and their impact on culture. I deeply appreciate this article on The Art of Discovery in an Algorithmic Age.
Re(re)vision: Laurie Frankel on Throwing Away Half Her Book While Writing It. Frankel talks revising and specificially about cutting 300,000(!) words from her recent release Family Family.
ICYMI
This week’s blog posts:
That’s it for this week’s Weekly What! If you enjoy my rambles please consider subscribing, sharing, or recommending to a friend. Until next time!
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