How to Go With the Flow (3 Techniques)

To create a life that you really want, it is important that you get into a state of flow.  When you are flowing with life you are in a complete state of receptivity to all of the things that you want.   Going with the flow is critical to enjoying the journey and manifesting your dreams.

For some people, going with the flow comes naturally.  Their feathers never get ruffled and they take everything in stride.  They are easygoing and calm. 

For others, going with the flow is not the norm.  Due to personality traits, personal upbringing or life’s circumstances, some people simply have a difficult time letting go and relaxing. Unfortunately, moving against the flow can cause a whole host of problems, including anxiety, depression and even physical injuries and illnesses. 

So, for this second group of people, here are a few tips on how to go with the flow.  At the end of the day, going with the flow is just a skill that can be learned.  Fortunately, with practice, anyone can become skilled enough to spend most of their time in the flow. 

1. Breathe Mindfully: One of the first things that happens when we get tense is that we start hyperventilating or taking shallow breaths.  This type of breathing is a symptom of our “fight or flight response,” which keeps us agitated and on guard.

When you feel yourself tensing up, immediately start taking big, mindful breaths.  These breaths will create a slowing in your “fight or flight” response and will bring you back to a more neutral place.  Mindful breathing can be a lifesaver.

2. Make a big deal out of the good things: When we are in the habit of moving against the flow we tend to spend a great deal of time focusing on the things that aren’t going well for us.

We get mad at the slow drivers, we roll our eyes at our annoying coworkers and we pull our hair out when our roommates or children leave a mess in the house.

This fixation on the unwanted only keeps us moving against the flow.  To slow down and eventually reverse this fixation, you can make a conscious decision to start really taking note of the positives.

Notice and remark on the good weather, the excellent service at the restaurant or the kind actions of others.  Really amp up your appreciation for all of the little things that are going right.

Focusing on the positive will help change your momentum.  Appreciation is an emotion of being in the flow, and the more you practice it the more opportunities for appreciation will pop up in your life.

3. Brainstorm a few positive possible outcomes: When you find yourself getting upset about something, take a moment to really think about the final outcome, and how it may be something totally different from what it looks like right now.

For example, maybe the reason the grocery store line is moving so slowly is because the universe is trying to hold you up so you don’t get into a car accident.  Maybe the reason the buyer didn’t accept your bid on their house is because there is an even better house just about to come on the market that is perfect for you.

There are some famous stories of people who worked at the World Trade Center who were sick, running late or dealing with struggles that prevented them from being there on 9/11.  While they might have been annoyed or angry about these circumstances at the time, after the towers collapsed they had reason to be eternally grateful for them.

The truth is, we never know exactly why we are being directed in the way that we are in the moment.  Taking a moment to think of a few positive possibilities helps to reduce stress and anxiety and get back into a state of flow.

There are certainly more things that can be done to help get into the flow, but these three are a good starting point for those of us who tend to move against it.

 As we mindfully breathe through our stresses, focus on the good things and think of positive possible outcomes, we will feel begin to lighter and we will turn to head downstream.  As we move with the flow, we will feel calmer and happier and we will attract better circumstances to ourselves.  With time and practice, going with the flow can be a natural state for any of us! 

Did you like this article? Find more like it on my blog or Facebook page!  You can also find me on Twitter (@Vibration1111) or Instagram (@andrea.11.11).

Photo Credit: “The Flow” by Gilad Rom. Some Rights Reserved.  This image has been cropped and resized.

Andrea Schulman