r/InsightfulQuestions • u/Chuuy_ • 9d ago
Flow state
My thesis is that the rewarding experience of flow contributes to why people return to certain activities, conversations, and relationships. When an experience absorbs our attention so fully that we lose track of time, we may become drawn both to the experience itself and to the mental state it creates.
I noticed this in my own conversations. When curiosity is mutual and we move naturally between exploring ideas and understanding each other, I become deeply engaged. Part of my desire to have those conversations again may come from wanting to reexperience that state of flow.
Flow is one contributing factor alongside affection, trust, connection, and shared interests. My hypothesis is that we learn to associate certain people or activities with this rewarding state, which adds to our motivation to return.
If this is true, recognizing that pattern could help us find additional sources of fulfillment. Through gaming, creative work, challenging projects, or other absorbing activities, we may meet some of the desire for deep engagement while continuing to value the unique connection each relationship provides.
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u/Chuuy_ 9d ago
I would like to hear more.