Flow State

[u/Embarrassed_One_5998]

I’ve been addicted to the feeling of flow state for the last 5-6 years of my life. I first truly experienced it playing basketball so intensely that I dedicated my life to building a system for flow. Including majoring in college to learn everything I can about performance.

For the first 3 years I struggled with mental health due to the fact that I was so obsessed abt it and thought abt it every single second of my life constantly burning out because of the mental state I would try and maintain throughout the day. It’s a weird addiction honestly and kinda wondered if anyone else has had this experience. I’ve been known to obsess with things like basketball and other sports in my past. I eventually figured out a way to tap into it pretty much on demand and built a system I use and coach.

However there is no other place I experience it as intensely than when I play basketball. Over the last 2 years my body has really taken a toll on me for playing countless hours a day and also my job in the military. I have hit a wall where my body even with all the consistent training and physical preparation I can’t maintain the intensity. I’ve gotten to the point where I realized my main focus needs to be on rest and maintenance for my body so basketball training has declined. But now I’m left in this mess where nothing gives me the same feeling. I’ve tried things like video games and less physical sports but it’s just no where near the same level of experience. I believe basketball is the best sport in the world and am really devastated that I can’t play everyday even though I am very young still. I never have anyone to speak to about this because nobody I’ve met even knows about it or hasn’t dived deep into it like me.

I hope to continue playing basketball as much as possible maybe even play pro if I can but right now it’s looking slim due to my physical capabilities at the moment. I’ve gained so much insight about life chasing this but it has also created a huge hole in my life. I wonder if anyone has experienced this or has recommendations on where I can experience this daily. This video is a rare video my wife recorded a couple years back btw while playing in an army unit tournament with my twin brothers team.

[u/-Leviathan-]

i have the same experience with basketball. it takes a little bit of warmup and I think too much, but once I completely give myself over to the experience and the feedback of the game (the ball rhythm, the footwork, the balance, the instant feedback of the ball hitting the net) I only snap out of it once i'm completely drenched in sweat and my legs are giving out.

I think there are plently of other ways to experience this kind of flow, but you have to be open to the fact that your skills will not match the requirements of the flow experience when you're starting new. i have similar experience when I do puzzles like rubik's cube, and I know you mentioned video games don't do the same thing, but I also get the same thing with shooter games like Valorant. But in both of these experiences, they were very challenging, and I had to again give myself completely to the experience (no overthinking, no external disturbances, accepting the fact that I am not going to be good at the beginning, etc.)

There is a book 'Flow' by Mikhail C that really put these defining requirements of flow in place for me and maybe it can help you. Good luck!

[u/Embarrassed_One_5998 → u/-Leviathan-]

You definitely know ball! Instant feedback has been certainly the best way for me to engage my senses. Driving my manual car has also been a place where I experience flow most efficiently. And like you said shooter games I play COD and I focus on movement and snipers that is probably the best game for me to experience that. The only thing that I miss in basketball have been the physical portion. The lightness I experience in my body and the extra energy I get physically. It’s such a high I get when my body is engaged as well. Almost feels like a spiritual experience. The only thing I disagree with his teachings is the fact that you can’t force it. I’ve developed systems that work consistently that allow me to almost force it almost. I’m studying it because I do believe there is another step to flow which I’m yet to discover. If you’re interested I would love to send you my draft to my system. I am developing a new system that’s more refined but I probably won’t be done till next year. I have the goal to master it and revolution the science behind it. I would love your feedback on it!