- The Concept of Flourishing
Flourishing is a vast concept of positive human functioning and well-being. A person who flourishes not only experiences the absence of difficulties but also leads the life of great meaning, engaged in various activities in various areas of life.
The concept of flourishing includes the following aspects:
Positive emotions and life satisfaction
Meaning and purpose in life
Good relationships with other people
Personal growth
Achievement
Engagement in activities
Sense of autonomy and competence
In the PERMA model of positive psychology developed by Seligman, flourishing is closely associated with the following components: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
To illustrate the concept of flourishing, we can consider a teacher who loves teaching, builds good relationships, believes that her job has meaning, is actively engaged in professional development, and feels that she achieves and accomplishes her goals.
- The Concept of Flow
Flow represents a temporary psychological state when a person is fully immersed in performing an activity. Flow is the term proposed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
The person in the flow state can also be characterized by the following features:
Intense concentration
Deep involvement in the activity
Clear goals to be achieved
Immediate feedback
Balance of challenges and skills
Loss of the sense of time
Temporary loss of self-awareness
Intrinsic rewards from the activity
For example, a researcher studying complex geographical data may spend hours doing this activity without feeling like time has passed.
Main Difference
Basis Flourishing Flow
Meaning State of well-being and positive functioning State of total involvement in an activity
Nature Broad and complex Specific psychological experience
Duration More or less permanent Usually transient
Focus Life of a person Particular activity
Elements Emotions, relations, meaning, engagement, and accomplishments Concentration, challenges-skill balance, feedback, total involvement
Results A good and meaningful life Deep involvement in an interesting activity
Example A person has a fulfilling life A person enjoys painting, teaching, researching, or playing the instrument
Relation of the two concepts
Flow leads to engagement that results in the improvement of well-being that leads to flourishing.
The main idea is that flow is different from flourishing. However, many times being in the flow state may result in flourishing through engagement and accomplishments.
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