Enter the flow state with origami

For 10 minutes, nothing exists but a piece of paper. It becomes your world. All other concerns melt away – future plans, past grievances; nothing matters but the present.

This is called the flow state. Once you learn how to fold an origami model, you can enter this state too.

Here you will learn some origami basics, including how to fold a basic but elegant model, the crane.

What you need

All you need is a square piece of paper. Origami paper works best – it's just a type of very thin paper.

How to do it

Two things about origami:

1. You can't skip a single step. Follow the instructions exactly.
2. Small mistakes compound. Try to be accurate in each step; this takes patience.

Step 1

Take a piece of paper and fold it into a triangle.

Step 2

Fold it in half again.

Step 3

Squeeze open one of the halves, then flatten it into a square – aligning the top seam with the inner fold. Flip it over and repeat on the other side.

Step 4

Ensuring the paper is facing downwards with the open flap towards you, fold in the left and right corners to the middle. Repeat on the other side. You should have a thinner diamond shape.

Step 5

1st image: unfold the flaps you just folded.

2nd image: lift up the bottom flap and pull it upward.

3rd image: the paper should open up like a box.

4th image: fold the outer edges in, to create a tall, narrow diamond.

Then, flip it over and repeat on the other side.

Step 6

Similar to step 4; fold in the left and right corners to the middle. Repeat on the other side. You should have an even thinner diamond shape.

Step 7

1st image: pull the left and right corners together. Flip and repeat on the other side to invert the fold.

2nd image: fold the bottom point upward.

3rd image: flip and repeat on the other side.

4th image: fold the 'head' down.

Step 8

Similar to the previous step, pull the left and right corners together to invert the fold. Now fold the 'wings' down.

Step 9

Pull on the head, tail, and both wings all at once, so the body of the bird spreads out.

Your crane is complete!

A deeper look

Being in the flow state is wonderful. It's as if your mind has reached the perfect balance between trying and not trying. There are many ways to enter it, which will be different for everyone, depending on what you enjoy doing.

In the flow state, you stop thinking about the outcome, and focus on the process. This is how origami fits in – it's all about the process. Ironically, by focusing less on the outcome and more on the process, we achieve a better outcome.

The process of origami requires (and trains) great attention to detail. It can teach us how small mistakes made early in the process compound. This means we need to follow the process, and be patient.

Reflection

How many origami cranes can you make in an hour?