Flow
Peak absorption state
Flow is continuous movement in one direction, like water in a river or traffic on a highway.
Blood flows through veins, electricity flows through circuits, conversation flows between people.
When something flows, it moves smoothly and uninterrupted: The wine flowed freely at the reception.
Flow also describes a mental state of effortless focus and engagement: She was completely in the flow while painting.
Cash flow is money moving through a business.
To go with the flow is to accept circumstances without resistance.
Most desirable outcome
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- focusConcentrated attention point
- peakUtmost height attained
immersion · challenge · skill · concentration · timelessness · intrinsic · motivation · mindfulness
Steady continuous flow
- currentDirected flow of charge
- riverLarge flowing watercourse
- tideOcean's cyclical swell
- circulationMovement through a system
drift · surge · cascade · channel · course · eddy · ripple · tributary
Patterned stress and silence
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- seamlessWithout visible joins
transition · DJ · mix · continuity · phrasing · legato · smooth · cadence
Source of creative impulse
- zoneBounded area designation
- immersionState of being submerged
- effortlessRequiring no strain
- spontaneousArising without external cause
improvisation · muse · momentum · breakthrough · channeling · expression · unblocked · freewriting
Fluid's flow resistance
- laminarArranged in thin layers
- turbulentViolently agitated or disturbed
- hydraulicRelating to pressurized liquids
- pressureForce upon contact
velocity · pipe · pump · valve · discharge · volume · rate · dynamics
Excessive accumulation causing blockage
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- arterialOf major vessels
interchange · merge · volume · capacity · signal · lane · commute · rush-hour
optimal
Most desirable outcome
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- focusConcentrated attention point
peak · immersion · challenge · skill · concentration · timelessness · intrinsic · motivation · mindfulness · presence
stream
Steady continuous flow
circulation · drift · surge · cascade · channel · course · eddy · ripple · tributary · downstream
rhythm
Patterned stress and silence
seamless · transition · DJ · mix · continuity · phrasing · legato · smooth · cadence · progression
inspiration
Source of creative impulse
- zoneBounded area designation
- immersionState of being submerged
- effortlessRequiring no strain
spontaneous · improvisation · muse · momentum · breakthrough · channeling · expression · unblocked · freewriting · jazz
viscosity
Fluid's flow resistance
- laminarArranged in thin layers
- turbulentViolently agitated or disturbed
- hydraulicRelating to pressurized liquids
pressure · velocity · pipe · pump · valve · discharge · volume · rate · dynamics · resistance
congestion
Excessive accumulation causing blockage
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- throughputProcessing rate over time
arterial · interchange · merge · volume · capacity · signal · lane · commute · rush-hour · routing
period
Punctuation ending sentences
- cycleRepeating sequence of events
- menstruationMonthly uterine bleeding
- crampsInvoluntary muscle tightening
heavy · light · spotting · irregular · monthly · bleeding · tampon · pad · cup · hormonal
- Bottled Waterbottled water, sparkling water, still water, Perrier, Evian
- CryptocurrenciesBitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Dogecoin
- Eco FilmsAn Inconvenient Truth, Our Planet, Planet Earth, Blue Planet, The Lorax
- Nonfiction BooksFreakonomics, The Selfish Gene, Grit, The Double Helix, Silent Spring
- Browser EnginesTrident, Ladybird
- dev toolslinter, compilers, Git, debuggers, IDEs
Flowstagnation
Absence of flow or progress
stillness · standstill · stasis · immobility · motionlessness
Flowstoppage
Interruption of flow
interruption · halt · blockage · cessation · disruption
Flowblockage
Obstruction halting movement
obstruction · stagnation · clog · congestion · impediment
- go with the flowAccept situations without resistance
- flower powerNonviolent resistance ideology
- flower bedPrepared soil for planting
- going with the flowAccepting situations without resistance
- fresh flowersNewly harvested blooms
- flower girlYouth strewing petals at weddings
flows, flowed, flowing, flower, flowers, flowered, flowering, flowery, inflow