We often hear people talk about the importance of living in the moment and the different ways it will benefit us. It all sounds wonderful, especially the lower levels of stress and anxiety, but how exactly can we live in the present when our mind is constantly worrying about the past or planning the future.
Our feelings and moods can be like the weather - constantly changing, often without warning. This is not as random as it seems. Feelings of confusion, disorientation and irritation are frequently the by products of an overloaded and wandering mind.
Being present minded is the key to staying healthy and happy. It helps you fight anxiety, cut down on your worrying, and keeps you grounded and connected to yourself and everything around you.
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Why it can be difficult to live in the now
Living in the now is so difficult because we are always encouraged to think about the future or dwell on our past. Advertisements, reminders, notifications, messages, and alerts are all so often geared towards the past or future.
When we are most likely concerned about something, we are most likely dealing with a real problem with realistic solutions. Then, once we can do whatever we can to address the problem, we're willing to live with the outcome.
Worrying , on the other hand, involves unrealistic thinking. We may worry about a problem that doesn't really exist, or dwell on all the bad things that can happen as a result. Then, we feel unable to deal with the outcome. Either way, we have difficulty dealing with uncertainty, which is a normal part of life.
Certainly, some of our problems may not have desirable outcomes, such as serious health issue. Some problems may be beyond our control, such as civil unrest or economic downturn. In such cases, it can be hard to avoid worrying, but not impossible.
How do you live in the moment
1. Calm your mind
When your mind is calm, you are able to see more clearly. The reason some problems become so daunting is that our mind is racing fast so that we cannot see things as they truly are. Then we wake up to a bunch of possible scenarios in our mind, most of which are unlikely to come true. In addition to seeing more clearly, a calm mind will help us see more realistically.
2. Don't dwell on past accomplishments
If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven't done much today. There is plenty of time to build upon past successes and create more memories and achievements for future-you. In the future you'll be cherishing the memories of today.
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3. Think beyond old solutions to problems
Our world is changing so fast that most of yesterday's solutions are no longer the right answers today. Don't get locked into a "but that's how we've always done it" mentality. Yesterday's solutions are not today's solutions and they are certainly not tomorrow's solutions.
4. Forgive past hurts
If you are harboring resentment towards another human being because of past hurts, choose to forgive and move on. The harm was their fault, but allowing it to impact your mood today is yours. Let go and choose to be present in the moment instead.
5. Remove unneeded possessions
Minimalism forces you to live in the present. Removing items associated with past memories frees you and allows you to stop living in the past. Once the past no longer has power, you can begin to live in the moment.
6. Fully appreciate the moments of today
Soak in as much of today as you possibly can - the sights, the sounds, the smells, the emotions, the triumph, and the sorrow. These are in our daily lives but we often forget to take them in and truly appreciate them.
Of course, following these guidelines is easier said than done, but it'll get easier with practice!