Finding Flow in a Distracted World

Hello Dancers,

I’ve been reading Stolen Focus by Johann Hari, and it’s got me thinking about the state of focus (or lack thereof) in today’s world. Hari’s main point is simple but powerful: modern life—especially our digital lives—is eroding our ability to concentrate. Constant notifications, news feeds, and digital distractions are keeping us in a state of fractured attention, and as a result, we’re losing the knack for getting deeply absorbed in anything.

One of the ideas in the book that really struck me is this concept of flow. Flow is that rare state where you’re so immersed in what you’re doing that time seems to disappear. Psychologists say it’s one of the keys to feeling genuinely content and fulfilled. The problem is that flow isn’t as common as it used to be. According to Hari, our focus is pulled in so many directions that we don’t spend much time in flow anymore.

Reading about this, I started thinking: do I ever experience flow? Do any of us? And then I realised that yes, I do—in ballet class. Every time I step into a class, especially one that’s just challenging enough to keep me on my toes (sometimes literally), I find myself in that elusive flow state. And I suspect the same might be true for many of you.

There’s something about the structure of a ballet or fitness class that naturally demands focus. It’s just the right level of challenge: not so easy that you can let your mind wander, but not so difficult that you feel out of your depth. For that hour, you’re focused on the movement, the technique, and (if you’re like me) just trying to keep it all together. And by the end, you feel sharper, more present, and maybe even a bit more content. It’s almost like a reset button for the mind.

So here’s a thought for you: if you’re feeling pulled in too many directions, maybe the answer isn’t to “try harder” to focus. Maybe it’s about finding those activities that naturally draw you into a state of flow—whether that’s ballet, yoga, a challenging hike, or anything else that absorbs your full attention. It’s not about tuning everything out; it’s about finding something you enjoy that lets you get fully tuned in.

Next time you’re in class, pay attention to those moments when you’re fully absorbed, and see how they make you feel. It might just be the antidote to a world that’s constantly asking us to be everywhere and nowhere at once.

Explore our online classes here and find one that fits your flow 🧡

See you at the barre (or wherever your flow state happens to be),
Rhea x
Founder, Ballet Fusion Ltd