Chapter Four: Engagement

Here we enter the flow zone, that timeless state of deep immersion.
We also learn to quiet the inner critic, release comparison, and return to the present moment.

Chapter Four dives into the second pillar of happiness in the PERMA+ model: Engagement, exploring how creative practice can lead us into flow states (those magical moments of deep focus, enjoyment, and timelessness) Through two primary playshops - Flow States: Inside the Current of Creation and Quieting Comparison and Releasing Rumination - participants experience first-hand how to cultivate flow and reclaim their attention. Together, these playshops offer scientifically grounded and playfully embodied ways to rewire attention and spark intrinsic motivation. Flow science is woven throughout, revealing how states of deep absorption improve creativity, resilience, and wellbeing. Participants are also invited to reflect on their relationship to social media, engage in guided visualization, and identify personalized strategies to increase flow and reduce self-criticism. By the end of the chapter, participants will not only understand engagement as a concept - they’ll have lived it: paint on their fingers, laughter in the air, and a clearer sense of what lights them up from within.

Activities Include:

Painting Flow

Ruminating Sock Puppets

Mindfulness walks and expressive movement

Social Media Fast

Key Benefits:

Cultivates focus, absorption, and creative confidence

Reduces rumination and anxiety

Strengthens self-trust and intrinsic motivation