Come Back To The Present

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed how little we actually live in the present moment. We dwell on the past, we overthink the future and somehow the present becomes the thing we spend the least time in. So this week, I wanted to write a reminder for all of us, including myself: come back to the present.

When We Were Kids

As kids, all we cared about was whatever was happening right in front of us. We didn’t worry about the future or the past.

I’ll add a small disclaimer: today’s generation of kids is somehow experiencing anxiety and depression—words I didn’t even hear of until years later. But that’s a topic for another day.

Growing up at least 20 years ago before the rise of the internet and social media, our lives were simple. We played, hated studying and cried about bedtime. From the day we were born until university, someone was always holding our hand. No real responsibilities and no pressure to figure out the future.

And because of that, we naturally lived in the present. That’s why so many of us wish we could go back because we remember how happy we were when our only job was to enjoy the moment right in front of us.

Then We Grew Up

For most of us, life shifted when we graduated. Suddenly, no more hand-holding. No more structure decided for us. We stepped straight into adulthood: bills, responsibility and uncertainty.

We learned what financial stress feels like. We developed emotional awareness. We started questioning our interactions, overthinking our choices and noticing the traumas that once slept quietly inside of us.

Life stopped being simple, instead became messy and unpredictable.

And without noticing, we started living everywhere except the present. We replayed the past and panicked about the future. And the more we did that, the more unhappy we felt.

But if I’m being honest, the only times I’ve truly felt joy as an adult were moments when I was fully present, when my mind wasn’t drifting anywhere else.

Where to Find the Present Moment?

Living in the present sounds simple, but it isn’t. You have to be intentional about it.

Take sitting alone in a room with nothing to do. The moment the environment quiets down, your mind automatically wanders to the past or the future.

But what happens when you go on a walk? Your senses wake up. You hear things, see things, feel the air on your skin. Suddenly, you’re here—not yesterday, not tomorrow.

And how do you feel afterward? Probably better. Because your mind had something grounding it to now.

For me, hiking or traveling to a new place brings me back to the present instantly. But I’ve also seen people struggle to enjoy even their vacation because they’ve brought their anxiety with them. They’re physically in a beautiful moment while mentally worrying about the next plan, the limited time or the responsibilities waiting for them at home.

And it sucks because the present moment is right there… and they’re missing it.

One thing I love about myself—though it comes with its flaws—is my spontaneity. It forces me to live in the now. When you’re spontaneous, life surprises you. There’s no rigid plan to worry about failing. You make decisions based on how the moment feels, not on fears about what comes next.

So if you’re someone who struggles with anxiety even during things meant to bring joy, try adding a little spontaneity. Let go of the tight schedule and give the present a real chance.

Now What?

The world is scary. More than ever, evil is happening around us. The future feels uncertain. But if we constantly live in that fear, our minds will never rest.

To protect our sanity, we have to return to the present again and again.

Watch less negative news, especially the ones that don’t directly affect your life. Forgive people who hurt you. Work on healing your traumas or at least stop letting them run your life.

Because there is so much joy waiting for us when we focus on what’s actually happening now.

Living in the present frees us, even if it’s just for a moment. But worrying about the past or future traps us. It takes strength and intention to pull ourselves back but it’s worth it.

So be intentional, notice your surroundings and just breathe. Come back to the present because it’s the only place life actually happens.