How To Go With The Flow: Try These 10 Great Strategies

If you want to know how to go with the flow, you’ll love this article.

Life will always bring you surprises, no matter how hard you try to prepare for them. Going with the flow is a great way to adapt to new circumstances and come out on top at the same time. 

Here are some methods to start living more in the moment in your life.

How To Go With The Flow:

1. Find ways to divert your attention.

Think about something that doesn’t make you anxious. Perhaps it’s a happy memory of you and your family at the beach, or maybe the prospect of coming home and eating ice cream from the freezer. When you start to feel anxious or nervous, divert your attention away from your feelings to something enjoyable.

This can help you think more clearly and eliminate worry from clouding your ideas.

2. Recite mantras aloud to yourself.

Remember to go with the flow. You can repeat your mantra to yourself in the mirror when you’re feeling nervous or scared, or you can start your day by doing it. Your slogan can be whatever you want it to be, but here are some suggestions:

“I trust in the ultimate good and surrender to the flow.”

It’s acceptable if things don’t always go as planned.

I have no influence over others; I have control only over myself.

3. Smiling and laughing

Realize how easily you get upset. There’s nothing wrong with injecting some comedy into the situation–in fact, it may even make you feel better! When you catch yourself struggling to keep control of a situation or not wanting to go with the flow, giggle quietly to yourself and make a joke about how you’re acting.

You don’t have to share this joke with anyone else. It’s okay to make fun of yourself, but hearing it from others isn’t so fun anymore.

SEE ALSO: How To Prioritize Tasks Effectively: 15 Practical Methods

4. Be cooperative and pleasant.

I occasionally let someone else run the show. If you are around other people, try to follow their instructions.

If you really don’t like what is about to happen, don’t be too oppositional and provide helpful input. Going with the flow often involves delegating decision-making to others, which can alleviate some of your stress.

5. Give yourself permission to break the rules.

Every day we impose a series of restrictions on ourselves. Give yourself permission to break or bend any “rules” that you feel you must follow. These may be arrangements with friends or a routine that you follow regularly. When you break rules (1), you will notice that you become less worried and rigid.

For example, instead of going to the gym after work, do something unexpected and take a hike in the woods.

6. Give up control.

It’s okay if you can’t control everything. Try to distinguish between what you can control (your own actions) and what you can’t (your friends, children, spouse, parents, and everyone else you know). Is this in my control? “, ask yourself if you find yourself trying to manage a situation. Generally, it is better to take a step back if it does not involve you or your own actions.

For example, even if your friend has been playing soccer for years, he may want to stop. You can make suggestions, but ultimately it’s up to him to decide what he wants to do.

This way, you can relieve the pressure and feel more relaxed.

“Radical acceptance” is another option. Although you may not agree with or accept something, you must accept it as reality because you have no control over it.

7. Take a step back and look at the big picture.

An issue may seem relevant at the time, but it is unlikely to be relevant later. Consider whether what you are addressing today will be relevant a year from now. What about five years from now? If the answer is no, you can generally let it go without much damage.

For example, being late for a doctor’s appointment may seem inconvenient today, but after a year, you’ll probably forget about it.

It will help you gain emotional and psychological distance from the situation, which will allow you to better understand what is really going on.

SEE ALSO: How To Be an Inspirational Person: 14 Surprisingly Powerful Ways

8. Pay attention to the present moment.

Being mindful can help you be calm and balanced. Stop and remind yourself that you have no idea what is coming next when you think about the future. Focus on what is happening now, not on what might happen later.

Asking questions like, “How do I know what will happen in the future?” can be beneficial. Does this idea have any supporting evidence?

For example, you may be concerned about the impact of a colleague’s being late to a meeting on your team’s performance rating. However, you have no way of knowing whether it will have a negative impact, so there’s no point in worrying about it now.

Over time, practicing mindfulness can help you reduce stress and anxiety.

9. Recognize and accept your flaws.

Recognize that just like everyone else, you will make mistakes. No one is flawless, and that’s just OK! You will feel better and more relaxed the sooner you accept this for yourself. Try not to place unreasonable expectations on yourself or others you care about.

When someone is late or cancels an appointment at the last minute, it can be quite annoying. Try to put yourself in that person’s shoes; they may be having a difficult time or a bad day. Show them the kind of compassion you would expect from a friend.

10. Focus on the good aspects of your situation.

When things aren’t going your way, it’s easy to fall into pessimism. Instead, try to see the good things. Maybe now that your plans have changed, you’ll have more fun trying something new! If your schedule was thwarted today, you may have extra time to relax before going to work! Reflect on at least one pleasant event that happened as a result of the change in your life.

For example, if your meeting was scheduled for 2 p.m. but was rescheduled for 4 p.m., you now have time for a longer lunch.

This is also known as “reframing” and is a useful approach to overcoming anxiety.

Thank you for reading this article about how to go with the flow and I really hope that you take action my advice.

I wish you good luck and I hope its contents have been a good help to you.

Przemkas Mosky
Przemkas Mosky started Perfect 24 Hours in 2017. He is a Personal Productivity Specialist, blogger and entrepreneur. He also works as a coach assisting people to increase their motivation, social skills or leadership abilities. Read more here