How to live in the present moment

Part One of the Letting Go Series

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” ~ Buddha.

Life is always unfolding in the present moment.

…In each breath you take… each memory you create… each moment you experience…

Yet, we often forget this. You move through time without realizing the precious minutes passing. You forget to observe all that is around you. So many valuable moments go unseized.

Why is it so hard to live in the moment? 

The answer often has to do with which time frame you’re living in. Instead of living day by day, you’re stuck in the past. And present circumstances have you feeling worried and anxious about the uncertain future.

But the past has already happened. And the future is yet to come. It’s time to shift your focus and learn how to live in the present moment. 

“Time is a precious commodity,” wrote Dr. Elyssa Barbash in Psychology Today. “Don’t mentally rush through it or wish it away. Savor the moments”. Here are a few tips to help you cherish the fleeting, but beautiful moments you live every day.

Ease Your Worry and Anxiety and Learn How to Live in the Present Moment With These 5 Tips

#1 Let Go of the Past

How can you turn the page when you’re flipping through the previous chapters? 

When you’re stuck on what has already passed, you deny yourself of the possibilities in this present moment.

If there’s a memory you’re holding onto, let go.

If you’re holding onto resentment because of an unhappy childhood, let go.

If you’re holding onto anger because a close friend wronged you, let go.

If you’re holding onto fear because you made a terrible mistake, let go.

If you’re holding onto doubt because you tried and failed, let go.

Letting go is key to accepting what has passed so that your focus can arrive at the present moment.

#2 Choose to Forgive

If you feel that someone has hurt you, forgiveness can seem nearly impossible. How can you forgive when you’re experiencing deep hurt, anger, and even resentment? And you have every right to feel this way.

Yet, remember that holding onto the past might lead you to miss incredible opportunities in the present moment. Opportunities that could manifest more beauty and love and compassion in your life today.

But how do you do it? How do you forgive somebody when the memory feels fresh and your heart still aches?

Try this.

With a pen and paper, find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. In this safe space, write a letter to the person who hurt you.  Share your emotions. Explain how they hurt you and why you feel this way. Don’t hold back. At the end of the letter, write “I forgive you.”

Once you’ve finished, you can make the choice to send the letter or not.

Whether you send the letter doesn’t matter because forgiveness does not have to involve the other person. Forgiveness is a decision you make.

And you may not feel like you’ve moved on the first time; you may need to write another letter. Forgiveness is a process. Yet, each letter you write permits negative emotions to flow out of your heart and to ink on paper.

Eventually, you release yourself from the overwhelm of those negative emotions. You liberate yourself, so you can appreciate what is happening in the here and now.

#3 Plan for the Future, But Live Day by Day

No matter how well you prepare, the future is never guaranteed. Especially in these present times, much of the future holds uncertainty. This realization might leave you feeling helpless… hopeless, even.

But constant worrying about the future can blind you from the countless blessings touching your life today. Right now, you’re still breathing. You still have your loved ones. And you can still cultivate a sanctuary of love and compassion within yourself.

The future is yet to come. However, these things are within your power at this very moment. 

So, plan for the future. And also practice daily habits that keep you grounded in the present. 

For example, you can create long-term goals that stretch months or even years into the future. Yet, there are rituals you can practice each day that will shift your attention back to the present:

  • Meditation
  • Journaling
  • Spending time with loved ones
  • Enjoying a hobby
  • Strolling outside in the sunshine

These small, daily habits are a reminder that the present is unfolding now — don’t let these moments go uncherished.

#4 Treasure Your Relationships

You’re born, and then you die. In the middle is where the magic happens. In the middle, you and your loved ones forge powerful bonds and create unforgettable memories. These memories remind you of the beauty and temporal nature of life. 

Show gratitude for the support systems you’ve cultivated by sharing your time. Especially now with physical distancing, a video call where you can see each other’s faces and hear each other’s laughter can feel like you’re in the same room. Having your loved ones with you is a blessing. Treasure them and they will keep you grounded in the beauty of the present moment.

#5 Fully Immerse Yourself in Creative Flow

One of the best ways to root yourself in the present moment is tapping into your creative flow.

Think about it.

Have you ever thrown yourself into a passion project, looked up, and it’s already dark outside? You lost track of time because you were so immersed in your endeavor.

Your mind was neither stuck in the past nor projected into the future. You were focused entirely on the here and now.

If you find yourself revisiting the past or worrying about the future, nurture a hobby. Expressing your creativity may be what you need to help you live in the moment.

What is something you practice in your life to help you feel more present? Share it in the comments below.

Shift Your Attention to the Here and Now

When you shift your attention to the present, beautiful things happen.

You begin to appreciate the moment fully. You can pause, take stock of your life, and realize the number of blessings that touch your life every day.

You have your health. You have your loved ones. And you have a beautiful voice inside you proclaiming  how strong, wise, and powerful you are.

Living in the present moment lets you practice daily gratitude and love yourself as you are.

In these uncertain times, it’s understandable to feel fear and anxiety. If you need additional support guiding your focus back to the present moment, then claim my gift of an “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session. 

In this 60-minute consultation, you’ll:

  • Reveal a clear and compelling vision of what else is possible for your life when you no longer have so much on your plate and are enjoying your life again
  • Get simple and practical tips for how to break free from your symptoms of overwhelm
  • Tap into greater energy and inspiration
  • Explore how having a partner on your journey will provide a shortcut to all that you desire. 

Click here now to sign up for a Complimentary “Overcoming Overwhelm” Discovery session.

Author(s)

  • Dr. Whitney Gordon-Mead

    Speaker, Certified Life Coach, Ordained Minister

    Intuit Wisdom, LLC

    About Dr. Whitney Gordon-Mead:   I sold my successful financial planning business and founded Intuit Wisdom so I could help successful, high-achieving women enjoy their success without sacrificing their health, wellbeing, relationships, and dreams.   As an International Speaker, Certified Master Trainer, Certified Accelerated Evolution Coach, Spiritual Counselor, and Ordained Minister, I’ve coached and counseled powerful professional women, business owners, and executives worldwide to experience physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance.   Amidst my three+ decades of research and experience, leading up to my doctoral degree in metaphysics, I was able to heal from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder, and burnout. As a result, I designed a system for accelerated wellbeing that is rooted in metaphysics. I now use this proven system to empower each client to align with her essential authentic self, master her own wellbeing, and experience greater freedom and fulfillment in all areas of life. From relationships, work, and finances to family, health, and quality of life - there are no limits! What’s unimportant falls away. Magic happens, synchronicity.   Living in South Florida with my husband, Dean (the love of my life), and my cat, Whimsy, allows me to do the things I love, like spending time outdoors, boating, relaxing on the beach, and hiking. I also enjoy concerts and musicals, reading, writing, traveling, and investing.   My dream is a world where every woman says “YES!” to herself. I believe that life is not meant to be endured; it IS meant to be enjoyed!