SPARKS - Sparks to shake the dust off your mind!

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Bypass your inner critic and create freely & tap into '' Flow state'' .

Sometimes, we feel we are quicker, more focused, more creative than other times. Why? There are plenty of reasons possible (such as stress levels, sleep quality, mental & emotional state, environment, or simply where our attention is directed).

Often, we are trapped by self-judgment or expectations. This creative practice is to simply reconnect to 'the moment' you're giving to yourself in creativity. It's not about what you do, it's about how you show up to it. When you let go of perfection, it becomes effortless... natural.

This is a small step helping you tap into "Flow State".

Flow state is when you're 'in the zone'.When you're so absorbed in what you're doing that everything else fades away.

When this happens:

• Inner critic & judgment fade & self-doubt quiets down

• Time feels different & you lose track of time completely

• You're fully present & all noise, stress, past and future worries quiet

In your brain:

• Feel good: Dopamine releases — the neurotransmitter that creates natural joy and motivation

• Creativity peaks: The prefrontal cortex (the 'overthinking' zone) quiets and gives space to intuition and spontaneity.

''The brain produces a giant cascade of neurochemistry. You get norepinephrine, dopamine, anandamide, serotonin and endorphins. All five of these are performance enhancing neurochemicals.'' - Steven Kotler, Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective.

What sound does your forest want to hear today?

🌲 Create for the Forest

1. Pick a Medium: Decide in 30 seconds: music, art, writing, carving... anything you want. No matter if you've done it before or not! (30 sec max)

2. Find your Spot: Find a quiet spot or just imagine one. (1min max)

3. Now Create: Make your sound, your mark, or your words as if the forest is listening to only you.

4. Let Go of Judgment: No one’s judging, not even the trees! They don’t care if you’re “good” they just want honesty. While we’re here, let’s pay attention to your senses: the sounds, feelings, colors, and scents around you while you create.

5. Embrace the Raw: Let it be wild, gentle, loud, soft... whatever wants to come out.

Optional next step: Take a photo or record one minute of it (on your phone, a notepad, or a camera). It doesn't matter if it's funny, ugly, rough, or beautiful. This is for you, it is a moment and it counts. Think it as if this wasn't for you, but for the spot you picked. This spot (the forest, a place in your imagination, your cosy corner...) just wants 'an attention'. It cannot judge what it is, how does it look or sound like. It just will receive it. Why It Works

You tap into Flow State, where:

• Your inner critic softens

• Your brain releases dopamine the “joy chemical”

• You stop overthinking and start feeling... planting the seed of a new spark.
  

  
  
  
  

  For the curious minds:

  Sources: Backed by neuroscience & positive psychology:

  • Flow Theory Foundation:

    • Positive Psychology: Csíkszentmihályi's research into flow theory has profoundly influenced our understanding of creativity, motivation, and positive psychology.

      🔗 Mihály Csíkszentmihályi: The Father of Flow - PositivePsychology.com

    
    

    Brain Chemistry & Neurochemicals:

    • The "Big Five" Neurochemicals: "The brain produces a giant cascade of neurochemistry. You get norepinephrine, dopamine, anandamide, serotonin

      and endorphins. All five of these are performance enhancing

      neurochemicals." PubMed Central - Steven Kotler, Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective

      🔗 The Neurochemistry of Flow States - Big Think
      

    • Dopamine's Role in Flow: Studies show that areas related to the brain's dopaminergic reward system are more active during flow, with increased activity in the basal ganglia including the nucleus accumbens Big ThinkTroy Erstling

      🔗 Go with the Flow: A Neuroscientific View - National Institutes of Health

    Jazz Musicians & Flow State Research:

    • How Expertise Unlocks Flow: Research with jazz guitarists found that the most experienced musicians showed activity in brain networks associated with hearing and vision during flow states, while releasing conscious control Positive Psychology

      🔗 Brain Scans of Jazz Musicians Reveal How to Reach a Creative 'Flow State' - Scientific American

🔥 Share it by the fire

Loved this? Bring it to The Hearth our community gathering under the stars. Everyone’s welcome. Let’s be carried together by creative flow.