“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.”
– Eckhart Tolle

It’s been a long time since I have published a blog. Since last August to be exact. I have written a couple. Some great ones too. But they didn’t feel, or sound like me. They didn’t come from the heart.

I’ve been in a weird place the last couple of months, since the beginning of the year really. I haven’t been sad or depressed; but the complete opposite. I’ve been happy. So incredibly happy. I’ve been riding this feeling, this high, for so long just waiting for something bad to happen. For something to knock me down like it has in the past. You may ask me then, ‘Why is this weird, it’s rather beautiful?’ And you’re right – it is. But I’m not used to it. I wish I could sit here and tell you my life has been all rainbows and unicorns but I’m human. We know that’s not how life is. Life throws you so many curveballs that it’s easy to feel stressed, scared, and anxious. It’s easy to get trapped in your thoughts and see life only through that lens. Where it’s not until you take off the glasses and realize you’ve been shown a false reality. An illusion. 

I have lived a long time looking through that lens. Feeling anxious all the time. Having panic attacks over things that weren’t there. That weren’t actually happening. My thoughts, often negative ones, took control of me – and I let them. I believed them. I have been conditioned to believe certain thoughts in a specific way because of past experiences. This is how the mind and body work. 

More so in the past, I could be lost in thoughts for hours, days even, just so beyond the present moment. It’s almost like an out-of-body experience. I’m there – physically. But my mind is so deep in the past or so far into the future that in reality I couldn’t be farther away from the present moment. I wouldn’t say that I have perfected being fully present one hundred percent of the time as that is nearly impossible. But it’s something I practice every single day and what has made me truly, so utterly happy, even on my darkest days. I have seen a huge improvement in my life spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, and even financially. 

Being fully present and living my life consciously – this is what has truly changed my life. Mindfulness has taught me that I am more than my thoughts, an observer rather. And when you begin to move into this higher level of consciousness, you will start to live a more intentional life and act with purpose each and every day.  You’ll regain all your power back. All your freedom. And life suddenly becomes more meaningful. 

Here are 4 small ways to be more present in your life – 

 

Meditation

There is truly no better way to clear your mind and focus on the now than to meditate. Meditation is so highly recommended and talked about because it’s not until you have completed that one meditation that changes your life. Where you open your eyes and wake up and see life from a whole new perspective. For years I tried to meditate. I would sit there, think about what I wanted to eat for dinner, open my eyes five minutes later, and continue on with my day. I even went to a yoga retreat in Bali in 2020. But looking back now, I wasn’t meditating. And it’s not that I didn’t want to, but it was that I didn’t know how to.

It wasn’t until I read Dr. Joe Dispenza’s book, ‘Becoming Supernatural,’ that I fully began to understand how to properly breathe and meditate. His book is so profound and the way he explained everything just clicked, for the first ever. After only reading a couple of chapters I had my very first life-changing meditation. From that day forward, my journey with mindfulness has been a beautiful experience. It’s what allows me to be my true, authentic self, every single day. I highly recommend checking the book out. The link is here!  

The one thing I will say is that you can modify your meditation sessions in any way that you want to. You can sit on the floor, on a chair, or fully lie down. What’s important is that you are comfortable. Also, don’t put a time limit on your meditation. Sometimes it takes me five minutes to quiet my mind and other times I can be laying on the floor for an hour. Don’t set an alarm but rather try to meditate when you have some spare time. Learn to quiet your mind and focus on the present moment. Doing so, you will see an increase in your self-awareness, reduce your stress, gain new perspectives, and most importantly help you calm the fuck down. 

Feel Your Emotions Deeply 

Have you ever been super happy when suddenly, a wave of sadness or anxiety hits you? Same girl, same. When something like that happens, it’s so easy to get wrapped up and spiralled into those thoughts, and quickly. But remember what I said at the beginning – you are not your thoughts. Your thoughts are part of you, but they are not you. Rather than try to control them, instead, bring a non-judgemental awareness to the thought. Meaning observing and accepting the thoughts as they are without any labels. When we become aware of our emotions, it gives us the power to respond instead of react.

Now most people want to jump a step without digging into their feelings, but this is such an integral part. When you suddenly feel anxious, sad, or any other emotion, recognize this and ask yourself why you feel this way. Was it a person? Did someone say something? Learn to understand and identify your triggers so you can become of aware of them.

Anxiety isn’t curable but it is manageable. One of the best ways to learn more about your triggers and understand why you are feeling a certain way is to journal. This not only breaks that negative self-talk going on in your head but brings you back to reality. Next time you are feeling anxious – recognize this feeling and focus on your breathing. Let me tell you, a lot of problems could be solved if people knew how to breathe properly. Now once you have brought awareness back to the present moment and acknowledged you are feeling anxious, dig into it more. Sit with yourself until you truly understand why you are feeling anxious at this exact moment. You know what you’ll realize majority of the time? That there is nothing to worry about. That it’s all a lie. It’s not real, it’s just an illusion of your thoughts. 

Journaling 

I have talked about journaling in many of my blogs and for good reason. Getting your thoughts down on paper (or even your notes app on your phone) is such a great way to ground yourself in the present moment. You don’t have to wait until you are mid panic attack to start journaling, but even on your happiest days get in the habit of doing this. Dedicate time to sit down with yourself and immerse yourself in the present moment. This doesn’t need to be an hour or any set time, nor do you only need to focus on negative topics or issues. Write about what makes you happy, your dreams, what you want out of life, your friends, your family, and your dog. Whatever you want to write about at that moment and feeling internally, write it down. If you don’t know what to write about, simply type in on Google, ‘Journal prompts for.’ Everything from self-esteem, stress relief, self-growth, anxiety, and healing to name a few will pop up. Or type the same thing into Pinterest and hundreds will appear. There are no excuses as to why you can’t do this.

In a perfect world, I journal every day. In the real world, I journal 3-5 times a week. Now that the weather is getting nicer, I’ve been bringing my journal to the park and writing there. If you need a change of scenery or some inspo to get started, get outside and in nature!

Recognize The Simple Pleasures In Life 

That first sip of coffee in the morning. Laughing with your best friends. Lying back and watching the clouds. Watching a sunset. These simple pleasures in life, amongst many others, are what make my days, even the unexciting ones, meaningful. In the past, it was so easy for me to feel bored or upset for days, or months even, simply because I was either living in past or dreaming about something in the future. I was ignorant of everything happening around me, always yearning for something more. Something bigger and more sparkly. 

Today, I recognize the simple pleasures in my daily life with the utmost gratitude and appreciation for them. They allow me to see the beauty of life in each moment and help me truly enjoy my days and be happy. Even if I’m not doing anything necessarily exciting, I have learned how to be content and at peace with my days through finding joy in even the smallest things. 

Take time to pause and find what your simple pleasures are in life. What brings a smile to your face? What makes you happy? They may be small moments, but it’s not until you stop and smell the roses that you begin to understand that they are what makes life so great. Life is not a race – enjoy every moment and appreciate all that life has to offer. 

“Don’t let the sadness of your past and the fear of your future ruin the happiness of your present.”
– Unknown

Thanks for reading – 4 Small Ways To Be More Present In Your Life.

Enjoyed this blog?

Check out:
4 Powerful Tips To Stop Overthinking

6 Powerful Benefits Of Journaling + Journal Prompts

Rose x