Flow states

[AuAL]

I stumbled across this article about “Flow states” recently. The flow state: the science of the elusive creative mindset that can improve your life
It seemed to me that the state described sounded very much like monotropism. Checking around, this similarity (or relationship) has not gone unnoticed. See for example: Embracing Autistic Children’s Monotropic Flow States — Neurodiverse Connection
and
https://www.thepdaspace.com/blog/monotropism-happy-flow-state
One takeaway message from this might be that a normal, autistic state of mind is now being seen as desirable, with NT people actively trying to achieve it.

 

[Tom]

I briefly skimmed the first article. No disrespect intended it is just psychology is to me like garlic is to a vampire. Now that I mention it, I greatly dislike garlic too. Just a coincidence I am sure. It (psychology) quickly makes my brain feel like cooked spagetti. That it begins with a near impossible word to spell doesn't help.

That said what immediately occurred to me is what people in sports, especially, call being 'In the zone'. It has occurred to me a few times in that context. What's interesting is that is appears to occur at a purely physiological level. I don't know if it is related to Flow State, but the resemblence is notable.

As far as I know no one ever figured out how to conciously get to the zone. It just occurs at random times. The idea that one might be able to access it at will is pretty interesting but almost a little scary for some reason.

 

[TBRS1]

The way you get to "the zone" is very, very simple - learn a thing, them practice it until it become second nature, then do it, without thinking about it.

Anybody who has learned to drive a car with a manual transmission knows how this works.

 

[Aspychata]

I totally embrace the concept of monotropism. I let my daughter have huge blocks of time pursuing her interests. I figured soon enough she would need to face the reality that life can be challenging, so let her find joy in special interests.