Forcing A State of Flow through Music and Routine

I listen to the same song (Nujabes – Aruarian Dance [Homework Edit]) and ambient noise track (Rainymood 10-Hour Loop), each time I write. It’s a routine I go through so that each time I hear the track, my mind shifts into a writing mode. Making that shift becomes easier the longer the routine is in place.

After months of going through this process over and over, I’ve found that I can brute force myself to start writing by playing the song. It’s a powerful effect.

There’s something mesmerizing about listening to the same song on repeat while writing. At some point, the music seems to dissolve as you shift into a state of flow, working the page in front of you. I don’t know how it works, but it’s incredible and has helped me push out 2,000 words a day or more on a consistent basis.

Try it out. It may not work for you, but it’s worth testing for a few weeks.

You don’t have to listen to the same song, but I’d suggest something instrumental (and probably repetitive). Lyrics mess up the effect; for me, at least.

Tycho, Mono, World’s End Girlfriend, Nujabes, and Ljones are a few artists I’ve been listening to lately that are either primarily instrumental or have some songs without lyrics.

There’s a pretty cool “lofi hip hop” Youtube channel that streams some good stuff.