Blog #5 

    This week for my occupation, I again went into the craft shop. I made some more progress and am almost ready to carve in the jack o’ lantern face but I’m conflicted on if I should do a scary or happy face! I am feeling more confident in my technique and abilities and things are begging to move a little faster as it becomes more second nature. I remember the old techniques I used to use and have gotten better at making the clay do what I want it to. Hopefully I can get my pumpkins bone dry and fired in the next couple of weeks and move on to glazing it! 

    Flow is an interesting topic that I have not thought too much about previously. However, on closer consideration and reflection I do think that there are times in my life where I have experienced flow. To be in flow one there must be a balance of challenge and skill where it is not a mindless task but is also not outside of a persons skill level (Wright, Sadlo, Stew, 2007 P 136). The first example of flow that came to mind from my past was skiing. I have been skiing since I was around 5 so my skill level is to where it needs to be in order to experience flow. Along with this, reflecting on times I have experienced flow I think that it has been when skiing harder conditions like fresh powder or mougals compared to a flat groomed run. In this my skills are being challenged but not the point of past my capabilities. I remember not having thoughts really and just floating down the mountain completely in a flow and focused on my occupation. How often does this happen to me while skiing? Outside conditions play a large role in flow for me and my occupation of skiing. If I am much too cold, it’s extremely windy, or the snow is not ideal I am not as likely to experience flow compared to if the outside conditions are prime. I have also felt the after effects of flow where I feel positive energy and increased mood for the rest of the day and the days following. Most of my flow experiences do include physical activity, which has been shown to have longer lasting effects. Overall, flow is not extremely common for me but when I do experience it, I have a positive experience and want to keep doing the occupation in which flow is occurring. 

    Reflecting on my new occupation, and my ability to experience flow I don’t think I am quite at the correct ratio of skill to challenge. Currently, my skill is a little low to the point where I really have to focus and think about what I am doing. When engaging in my occupation I have too many conscious thoughts about how to actually perform it in order to be in a state of flow. I do think ceramics has the potential for me to experience flow if I continue to practice my technique and grow in my skill level. For flow to occur in my new occupation I think that really only time and practice will allow for the possibility of being in a flow state. I hope I can accomplish this because I think this is an occupation I can have for the rest of my life and there are clear benefits associated with flow that I would like to have in my life. 

References 

Jonathan J. Wright , Gaynor Sadlo & Graham Stew (2007) Further Explorations into the Conundrum of Flow Process, Journal of Occupational Science, 14:3, 136-144, DOI: 10.1080/14427591.2007.9686594