HOW TO START LIVING IN THE MOMENT

For some reason, our focus is always on past situations or what is to come in the future. Yes, reminiscing and planning to have a successful future is important. However, if we are always thinking about the past or the future, are we really living right now?

If you are like me, you are always thinking about what you are doing tomorrow, next month, and next year. But I have come to realize that most of my focus should be directed towards the here and now. The present is all we really have, the past is no longer with us, and the future is yet to come. So, to answer my question from earlier, no we are NOT truly living our lives if we are focused on the past or the future, we are only living when we are concentrated in the present moment.

Trust me; I know that living in the present moment is not easy, which is why I am going to give you three steps to follow

Step 1. Become Aware

You first need to become aware of how often you stay away from living in the present. For instance, one day, keep a mental note of how often you are getting anxious regarding something you have to do later and how often you are overthinking about something that happened earlier. Knowing how often and specifically when you keep yourself in other places instead of the here and now, will allow you to better understand yourself and how you are living your life.

Step 2. Talk To Yourself

Once you become aware that you are uncomfortably living in the past or the future, talk to yourself. Get yourself to snap out of it by saying, “ I am here, I am here, nowhere else.” I know it sounds silly to tell yourself this, but it truly does pull you away from wherever your mind is at. These simples words get you to focus on the present moment you are in by thinking about where you physically are right now.

Step 3. Focus On Your Senses

Once you have done the first two steps, tap into your 5 senses.

Ask yourself:

What do you physically feel on your hands and feet right now?

What does your whole body feel like right now?

What do you smell in the air right now?

What do you taste in your mouth right now?

What do you see right now?

What do you hear right now?

Asking yourself these questions and being in touch with your senses and environment puts you in the present moment. Once you are here, try to let your worries regarding the past and the future float away and enjoy the current moment you are living in.I would recommend trying to set aside a few moments a day to allow yourself to do this.

You cannot live in the past or the future; you can only live right NOW.