Hey there, Sidekicks! Today I am here to discuss finding your inner flow. To me, flow is this magical state of being where I can paint freely with creativity. Hours will pass, my coffee will probably be stone cold, yet I always end up with a song which renews my sense of appreciation for the craft. The details of the songwriting process seem foggy, there are lyrics that seem to appear out of nowhere. It is the most satisfying feeling as a writer.
What is Flow?
I first began reading into flow during my last year of uni. It was through the study of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's work that I learned “the purpose of the flow is to keep on flowing, not looking for a peak or utopia but staying in the flow.” Flow has an absent-minded feeling despite being a state of concentration.
Schedule your songwriting
Setting a time and date for your writing provides a sense of commitment. Rather than writing as and when you feel like it, why not consider being strict. By the time you get around to your writing session there should be a sense of eagerness, anticipation and focus.
Writing Prep
I have been guilty of not always being the most prepared songwriter in the past, I used to begin writing without a clear direction, vision or even title for my songs. I have since found planning ahead to be a game changer. Having a theme or vision board ready to go, means less time scratching your head, wondering what to write about.
Set the mood
Flow requires a certain amount of concentration. Shutting out the internal and external noise to focus on one single task can optimise productivity. This involves removing any potential distractions that might be in your way when songwriting.
Find your space
Write where you feel comfortable. Consider the lighting, is the space too light or too dark, how might you alter this? For me the darker the lighting the less energy I have. Do you have everything you need to sit for the allotted time without needing to move to another space? Have your notebook, pens, instruments, recording device, a bottle of water nearby so you feel prepped and ready to write. These might all sound like very small and insignificant things, but put together, allows you to dedicate full attention to the writing. I enjoy switching my bedroom up from time to time, cultivating a zen space to allow me to relax into the session.
Accountability
Whilst at university, I attended songwriters circle, a weekly event where writers would go and present their songs to one another and receive feedback. There can be so much value in sharing our songs with like-minded individuals. I say like-minded, because for most writers we might play our songs for our moms, dads, aunties, uncles, close friends etc. People who feed our desire to be praised and mirror what we hope to hear right back at us. Other feedback you might also experience, is what I like to call, the Simon Cowell effect. This is where family and friends might come across as a little too overly honest with their opinions, concerning the elements of music they don’t understand. I know in the past this has either left me feeling deflated or confused about my song, unsure of what to do next. Opinions are only useful if they provide the space for development. I don’t want to hear “your song is rubbish,” I want to know the “why” and “how” to make the song better. This is where you can go back, evaluate its components and focus on your next steps.
We can learn from peers, teachers or colleagues whether our songs are reaching their full potential, and how we can continue to improve our craft. Try and seek fellow songwriters for guidance. These people will likely have experienced similar blocks within their own writing and identify that missing link.
Why is receiving feedback so crucial?
Receiving feedback consistently made me a more considerate songwriter. I wanted to show up with something I felt excited about and in turn, I enjoyed writing the songs a whole lot more. I no longer faced a mental barrier because I was not writing the song for myself, but to be considered by others. It became no longer my role to define what was good or bad. I stopped judging my lyrics, I stopped feeling like I could not finish my song. It felt like my duty to finish and present the song with no excuses, a bit like handing in your homework at school. There is relief and a satisfying feeling at the end of it.
Accessing flow can truly open doors to embracing the subconscious, unlocking where true creative freedom and expression exists.
Katie xx
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