Being present

 Being present


Being present may be one of the most difficult things to do. Our minds are constantly looking forward to what’s next or looking back at the good ol’ days. It is so difficult for us to enjoy what is going on before our eyes. 


I personally have a hard time staying in tune with the present so I must set mental cues that can keep me focused on what is going on right here, right now. I will break down some of the things that help me stay present.


First, I try to avoid conversations that always lead to a lot of reminiscing. I have a certain group of friends that every single time certain conversation cues pop up, the conversation turns into reminiscing the past. Not to say that reliving memories is bad, but when it is dragged out and repetitive, it is almost detrimental. I have heard the same stories from this group so many times. 


When reminiscing, I remind myself of the current times. I try to focus on what is going on as the stories are being told. I focus on the laughter and the good times being had, rather than falling into missing the times of the past. 


Next, I make frequent changes to my environment. I find myself getting stuck with nostalgic things when I don’t change anything in the world around me. To keep my mind fresh, I have to keep my atmosphere fresh. I like to move things around, add new things, and keep my hobbies and activities on a rotation. Making these simple changes has helped me stay present and escape depression. 


Lastly, I keep my options open and my goals flexible. Being a very routinal person, I struggle adapting to the day when my plans change. It is a flaw I am very aware of. To combat this, I have focused on always expecting change. I prepare my day to the best of my ability, but always leave free time for unexpected changes. Part of this is prioritizing what is most important. To avoid missing something critical in my routine, I have certain actions that must be taken before any others just to confirm they are completed. Prioritizing and keeping the most important goals and actions at the top of my mind has allowed me to complete what I want to, and still make time for other, unexpected things.


~Thank you for reading. My goal is to help teach others ways to better themselves while doing the same for myself. This is The Exploration.~


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