Inquiry Question: What does it mean to “live in the moment,” and how can we actively focus on embracing the little things in life?
Research Step 1: How does our relationship with time, (past regrets and future anxieties) affect our ability to be present?
The past experiences we face shape us into the people who we are today. (1) In fact, a lot of the choices we make today are influenced from our past. (1) It’s healthy to reflect on the past from time-to-time, but some people obsess about regrets made, and lose the ability to live in the present. (1) Being able to appreciate what is given in the current moment is vital, as it allows people to slow down, increasing levels of happiness. (1) Most people carry busy schedules on a daily basis which is the reason as to why it is inconvenient to take breaks and practice mindfulness. (1) Although, the simple act of practicing mindfulness can lead to an improved self-esteem and reduced stress. (1) Constantly looking into the rearview mirror of the past creates an excess amount of anxiety for no good reason. (1) With the goal of actively living in the moment, we will look at a few tips to reduce the time we spend worrying about everything but the present. (1)
We live in a world that promotes achievement and productivity, which usually costs us our present moment appreciation. (2) The reason behind us being consumed by our past is because we are so fixated on our “what if’s,” and regrets. (2) People constantly replay these times in their head as they wish to go back and change things. (2) The truth is, paying so much attention to the past has no motive, other than wishing to relive bits of time. (2) Although we can not change past events, we may change how we deal with them. (2) Likewise, worrying about the future comes from a common fear of not knowing what may happen next. (2) So many people think about the worst possible things that could happen, being afraid as they are unsure of what may play out. (2) However, the future is only real in our heads and is really an illusion that we create. (2)
When we are consumed by thoughts about the past or future, we take precious time away from the present. (3) Mindfulness and gratitude are two things we may practice in order to try and focus on embracing the present. (3) Sometimes taking a step back from whatever we are doing, and listing a few things to which we are grateful for can benefit ourselves positively since we start to appreciate the little things in life that spark joy. (4) Whether that be reading a book, going for coffee with a friend, or making dinner for the entire family. (4) These tiny moments or gestures throughout the day really contribute to the overall happiness felt at the end of the day when reflecting back on what was done. (4) So, next time you feel distracted, try to do one little thing that will boost your dopamine, making the day more memorable! (4)
Tips worth trying for embracing the present moment.
There are a few tips you may try in order to focus on living in the moment. (5) The first tip is to keep a journal and try to document what happened (highlights or challenges,) each day. (5) Writing in a journal is great for reducing stress and anxiety levels, while also improving one’s memory! (5) A bonus to documenting events in a journal is that you have the chance to look back at past entries and track personal growth. (5) Another tip that may be worth trying is removing any clocks when you have a day to yourself. (5) This may be difficult for some as a lot of people like to stay on track with certain schedules, but not being aware of the time passing is very important when focusing on living in the now. (5) When you find a day where there is no planned activities, try to do whatever you feel like in the moment, out of spontaneity. (5) The third tip is to use all five senses when going about your day. (5) Notice what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. (5) Being tuned in with your body is very important for the overall health and well-being of an individual. (5) Next time you find yourself frightened by the future, or anything that you currently don’t have control over, try to practice some of these tips to focus on embracing the present! (5)
I hope you picked up a few key points in this Blog Post! Looking forward to my next Blog Post to dissect this subject matter even further!
–Vanessa Vukovic
Resources:
(1) Tanasugarn, A. (2020, April 6). Healing from the Past and Living in Your Present. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/lib/healing-from-the-past-and-living-in-your-present#1
(2) admin. (2024, March 3). Embracing Mindfulness: Liberating Ourselves from Past Regrets and Future Worries – Mental Health and Psychometrics. Mental Health and Psychometrics. https://themindmetrics.com/embracing-mindfulness-liberating-ourselves-from-past-regrets-and-future-worries/
(3) Nedelcu Alina. (2023, August 12). The Impact of Time – Nedelcu Alina – Medium. Medium. https://medium.com/@alinaty/the-impact-of-time-7399d5f3f12f
(4) Davenport, B. (2024, February). 137 Simple Pleasures in Life For More Joy in Living. Mindful Zen. https://mindfulzen.co/simple-pleasures-in-life/
(5) (n.d.). How To Live In The Present Moment: 13 No Nonsense Tips! [Review of How To Live In The Present Moment: 13 No Nonsense Tips!]. Www.aconsciousrethink.com. https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/8321/the-present-moment/