Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
-Buddha
If you’re like most of us, it can be very easy to get into the “living for the future” mentality. In my case, going from elementary school to middle to high school to college to graduate school to finally work as an intern (thankfully paid) to licensed clinician to “I’ve finally made it.” But, what I often hear in my sessions with clients (and what was my own experience too) is that once you’ve finally “made it” statements such as, “this is it?” or “this is what I’ve been working towards all these years?” start showing up too. When people finally stop and look around, it’s often not what they were expecting their lives to look like and feel like at the “finish line.”
Here are some suggestions to get out of the future-focused rut and concentrate on the here-and-now:
- Meditation- quiet or guided- can help you be more grounded in the moment. Even 5-minutes a day, if done consistently, can make a big difference in this area in your life.
- Mindfulness- focus on your five senses- this quick tip can get you out of your head and back in this very moment.
- Journaling- can help you process the information in your head to help with mental clarity and focus.
- The right foods for your body- research is showing that food may influence mental health, how you’re feeling, etc. Talk to you doctor to find out more!
- Therapy can help you gain more awareness and clarity in your life, which can help you become more present in the moment as well.
Consider making these five tips part of your life to help you live more fully today!