Let us work towards being more present this year.
We all know this only too well – we are often pulled in a million different directions, distracted by technology, the need to be seen 24/7 and the desire to consume as much as we can in a shot duration of time. The social media highlight reel makes us depended on perfection – the best restaurant, the best vacation and even the best lifestyle.
So, how do we thoughtfully stay present as we head into a new year, full of new opportunities?
Get rid of your to-do lists
Throw away your lists, plans and calendars. No really, try this for at least a week if the thought of not planning your every minute gives you heartburn.
Being present means that you are actually living in the moment, not pretending to do it via Instagram. So let yourself do things for fun. Be spontaneous and don’t stress about the time you’ve spent lounging an extra 10 minutes in the shower. Instead, soak up (pun intended) all the feelings, emotions and moments. Doing this gets you in the habit of going with the flow. To worry less and enjoy more – in fact, we would argue that you begin to produce better work when you are not constant looking forward to the next thing on the list.
Take some time to disconnect daily
It is important to take time off of technology and get back to the basics. Technology definitely is a boon at times but there is something really soothing about reading a book, writing a journal or even playing a board game with friends. Get back to the basics, to a time when life was a little simpler.
In the beginning it might be difficult to disconnect, especially because technology evades all parts of our lives. But, try setting a timer for yourself and doing something for you without technology. No matter if it is 5 minutes or 30, be sure to take some time to disconnect each day.
Create reflection rituals
In order to understand how to be present in our everyday, we need to first understand what we really want. Because staying present happens when you start to listen to your gut and focus on all that you want and need.
Getting in tune with your goals & internal voice takes practice. You can try “exercising the mind” through a variety of reflection rituals such as meditation, journaling, or even just spending time alone. But be consistent in these exercises because you might not see these results until they become daily habits that do take time to develop.
Make decisions without relying on the internet
This ties to #2 in some way. Because we are so connected and rely on technology for every small thing (there is an app for almost everything you need or think you might need these days), our brains are being trained to take the easy way out and not really analyze and decipher like we used to pre-internet. Instead, force yourself to make some decisions without researching all the best options beforehand.
You can start small. Maybe you let yourself randomly happen upon a new coffee shop without reading its reviews first. Or maybe you try to get somewhere without looking at Google Maps first. Allowing yourself to be fully immersed in the moment—even if you end up getting lost, or having a bad cup of coffee.
Go with your gut
Being truly present means that you are able to tune into that little internal voice, that intuition. As Alicia Isaacs-Howes taught us listening to your intuition is the first step to being comfortable in your own skin. Above all else it teaches you to trust yourself. Don’t worry about what everyone else around you is doing. You just know that whatever you decide to do is the best option for you.
It takes practice, and constant reminders but Staying Present in our information-filled 24/7 world is possible.
{This article is inspired by The Good Trade}
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