Being in the Flow: Learning to Bend, Not Break
This week we explore what it truly means to live in flow — not as comfort or denial, but as a state of acceptance and gentle movement with life.
Like a reed swaying in the wind, flow invites us to bend without breaking, to soften into the unknown, and to find peace even amidst uncertainty.
This post reflects on personal stories, the difference between flow and resistance, and how practices like journaling and meditation can help us access this state of being.
What Does It Mean to Be in the Flow?
When we hear the phrase “being in the flow,” it’s easy to imagine ease, comfort, or even a state of denial. But true flow isn’t about avoiding life’s difficulties—it’s about meeting them with a different kind of energy. Flow is less about doing and more about being.
To be in the flow means to allow movement, flexibility, and acceptance. Think of a reed swaying gently with the wind: it bends with the current yet remains rooted. In contrast, rigidity—like an oak tree that refuses to sway—can eventually cause us to feel broken or overwhelmed.
Flow vs. Resistance
Flow is not the absence of challenges. Fear, stress, or sadness can still be present, but within flow there is a quiet sense of trust: “I will be okay.” Resistance, on the other hand, often shows up as control, rigid thinking, or denial. It’s the attempt to stand firm against life’s winds, which can leave us feeling fragmented or exhausted.
A Personal Reflection
I experienced this contrast vividly during two different chapters of my life. In the Netherlands, amidst uncertainty and relationship breakdown, I found myself in flow. Simple practices—knitting, crocheting, and meditation—helped me stay present and accept the unknown.
Later in France, however, I slipped into rigidity. I felt broken, unable to adapt, weighed down by external pressures. The challenges were not so different, but my inner state was. (full story in This Week’s Discussion, find link below)
It taught me that flow isn’t dependent on circumstances—it’s an inner posture of acceptance.
Cultivating Flow
Flow can’t be forced, chased, or controlled. Instead, it arises when we soften into acceptance and allow ourselves to be. Practices like journaling and meditation are powerful ways to invite flow into our lives. They quiet the mind and help us release the need to resist or deny what is happening.
Learning to Bend, Not Break
Life will always bring winds of change. The question is not whether the winds will come, but whether we can bend with them. Flow invites us to move with life’s currents, trusting that even in uncertainty, we are safe, and we will find our way.
Explore This Week’s Free Resources
🎥 Watch This Week’s Discussion on 🔗 YouTube or Listen on 🔗 Spotify
✏️ To help you find your flow, 🔗 Download the journalling worksheet
🧘 Follow the Guided Meditation, 🔗 Listen on YouTube or on 🔗 Spotify
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