Don't fear the non-flow

I was browsing through Study Hacks last night, and I was struck by a post provokingly titled Flow is the Opiate of the Mediocre.

Flow is that "magical" state of work in which the hours fall away, and we become so engrossed in our process that it's almost like we've achieved an alternate state of consciousness. Artists, writers and runners are typically cited as people who get into flow, but really anyone doing any non-passive activity could potentially experience it.

I have always considered flow to be a personal goal of mine. It feels amazing, after all, to tap this place where I'm so in tune, so involved, with my creativity. It had never occurred to me that there might  be times when NOT finding the flow might be preferable. Why? Because not being in flow is a good indicator that I'm about to take a risk. To do something different. To approach a writing project from a new angle from which flow doesn't automatically happen, because it's the path less taken.

How cool is that?

I'll probably always love flow. It feels like flying. But now, instead of getting down on myself if I'm "not feeling it," I can look at those times as an opportunity to stretch and keep things fresh.