Now & Here: JB's Monday Momentum Week #2
The Art of Present Living
Estimated reading time: three minutes
Hello friends,
Starting my final semester of high school this week, I want to make the most of it. I believe living in the present is the best approach. So, this week is all about focusing on the present. Let’s get right into it.
If you missed last week’s edition, you can click here to check it out.
A Question I am Contemplating:
How can I focus on the present moment?
Only when we live in the present can we truly experience happiness. To be fully present, we must let go of the past and release our worries about the future. It takes awareness and understanding to accept that we cannot change the past or magically fix our mistakes. We can learn from the past and apply it to the present, but constantly comparing it to the present only brings us down. Similarly, worrying about the future is also harmful. While it's good to be prepared, stressing over potential obstacles is pointless. By acknowledging these concerns, we can prepare ourselves to face them, reducing our stress about what might happen. If our worries do come about, we can confront them and grow from the experience. The future is beyond our control, but focusing on what we can control—the present—will inherently help shape a better future. Living in the past and future prevents us from fully experiencing life. Once we allow ourselves to live in the present, we can appreciate and be grateful for the beauty in our lives that we may have previously overlooked. Next time you regret the past or stress about the future, let go of those thoughts. Appreciate what's in front of you. Commit to living in this moment, right now.
Of course, this is easier said than done, so here are a couple of "strategies" I use to stay present:
Approach each event (this could be a dinner, hangout, class, etc.) with the intention of being fully present. Tell yourself, "For the next ____ amount of time, I will focus on this moment. I will listen attentively and observe what's happening around me. I won't dwell on the past or the future for ____ amount of time."
Maintain a focused mindset.
Approach each task with care.
Living in the present is hard and requires consistent practice. It's something I personally find difficult, but strive to work on every day. I encourage you to do the same.
Quote on presence:
“We crave experiences that will make us be present, but the cravings themselves take us from the present moment.” — Naval Ravikant
Goal for the Week:
Journal everyday
Anne Frank said, "Paper is more forgiving than man." Keeping a journal is an excellent way to express your thoughts, track your progress, and hold yourself accountable. It can also be a relaxing exercise, as it is just you, your thoughts, a pen, and a piece of paper. One of my main New Year's resolutions was to journal every day. While I have mostly kept to this resolution, I have found myself journaling for consecutive days to “catch up” on days I missed. This week, I aim to prioritize journaling, even if it's for a short five-minute session.
What I’m Reading:
The Good Life Method — Meghan Sullivan and Paul Blaschko (62% done)
A Little Life — Hanya Yangihara (75% done)
Small Things Like These — Claire Keegan (69% done)
What I’m listening to (one podcast, one artist, one song):
Gregory Alan Isakov (great for depressing Dutch weather)
Adelaide — Ramblewood
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated for next week and feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I am so impressed by you!