Iâve trained for a marathon, once in my life. I can say that the euphoria of going on long runs was definitely addicting. That energy that kept me going, that numbs the pain of pounding on the hard concrete while the sweat dripped down my back. That high elevated me from the ground as if I weightless, and the way my hunger disappeared, is something that I can reminisce daily.
The endorphins felt like I can run a lot more than I expected to. I did. I went beyond my measures.
But, can we get the same high when weâre completely focused on other things? Writers get the same high when theyâre in the âzoneâ. They can write for hours, nonstop, and realize theyâve only eaten one cracker all day.
This also happens when you’re actively engaging in sports. You can go on without eating for a long period of time, while at the same time physically draining your body. You look up and you havenât eaten for 5 hours. Your body doesnât know that, but your mind keeps pushing forward because you can.
When you first start, nothing happens. When you get your feet wet into your new activity, really, you wonât experience a single thing. Itâs when you start showing up every single day to build that endurance, to build the tolerance of going forward (no matter what) is when you start getting glimpses of the high.
They daily pursuit bring you towards new challenges and that’s when you start experiencing the high in its full motion.
It can come in waves. It can come for a short or longer period of time. But when it does come youâre in the zone, nothing else matters, youâre not of this world, and it takes you to a whole new level.
I dare you to zone out on your next task. I dare you to shut every distraction off and see what happens. You might be floating on clouds.
