Lately I have been anything but present.
I find myself getting distracted easily.
My mind wanders.
No, my mind races.
I’m always thinking about the next thing. The next thing I think I need to do, the next chore or task to tackle, the next deadline, the next appointment or place I am suppose to be.
I am struggling to be present,
to live in the moment,
enjoy the here and now.
My phone has become an extension of my hand.
I get lost on the Internet and consumed with social networking.
I grow impatient quickly and let the littlest things irritate me.
I wouldn’t say I’m a worrier, but I do spend a lot of time anticipating the future and that only proves to be problematic, futile even, because no matter how much I’d like to convince myself otherwise, I can’t control the direction in which things will go.
All I can control is this moment.
Right now.
This breath.
I recently started keeping a Gratitude Journal, using the app by the same name. Thank you, Nichole for introducing this to me!
Making a list of just five things each and every day that I am thankful for and that make me smile has helped me take witness of my life and think about what I’m doing, s.l.o.w. down and enjoy these moments.
My son deserves the best of me, as does everyone else in my life. I am learning how to be present.
How do you keep the most important things in focus when the rest of your life is a blur? How do you stay present?
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A healthy happy balance for a busy MOM is such a hard thing to achieve, especially with so many distractions isn’t it? I totally understand what your saying here!
Love the idea of the journal btw, focus on the positive, great idea.
I struggle with this greatly. This year, I resolved to quit jobs until I had enough time to really spend with my kids. I don’t go on twitter in the evenings. I’ve cut back my online time significantly.
A lot of career related things have suffered as a result, but I feel so much happier that it’s worth the trade off!
I don’t have answers for this. I struggle with it all the time and look at things like your beautiful words here for guidance.
Thank you so, so much for this timely post. It nearly made me cry. I’ve been feeling a lot like this lately. Having every good intention in mind, but just not being in the present. My daughter does deserve the best of me, and I need to embrace every moment of these early years because I will never get them bac. Thanks again for sharing. Going to check out that journal 😉
I’ve been seeing this app on Facebook! Such a great way to pause and appreciate the little things.
I remind myself daily that the small moments will pass. That we will never be at this stage again. That he’s only 2 once. That life is short. I don’t always succeed in being present, but I sure as hell try.
Ooooh, that is a tough one. Being present can become being distracted so easily! I do it for sure. It’s also about setting boundaries, me setting and sticking to them. I put down the phone or choose not to be online. Mainly, I spend time with the kids dancing or singing or just playing with them in the evening. I’ve really had to set boundaries around work too… it’s not absolute so a little at a time will make a huge difference!
This is something I have to really work hard at because most of my life has been spent trying to check out rather than be checked in. I just re-read Thich Nhat Hanh again and have been making an effort to do the conscious breathing thing throughout my day. It helps. When I do. Which, honestly, isn’t as much as I should. But when I do it does really help me to stay present and have my feet in the day.
I didn’t know there was a Gratitude Journal app. That’s a great idea! I have trouble with staying present, too. I feel like I am constantly multitasking. My two main aha moments were that I do a much better job if I put my phone out of reach and if I focus on making eye contact. I just realized one day that I was talking to my children without looking at them (because I was doing dishes or folding laundry or answering work emails, etc.). Just looking up from what I was doing to respond to them pulled me back to the present. But… it’s still hard to remember this all the time. We mamas just have a lot going on!
I have found myself lately spending less time online so that I can be more present for my kids. I think it’s working.
I struggle with this too. I’ve been trying to make more of a conscience effort to live in the moment and to ignore the other distractions, because the kids are only this little once. I don’t always succeed but I’m trying.
I’ve been keeping up with this app too. I love it!
I have no idea…. I am really struggling with this right now. Between kids, husband, work, and everything else in life I feel like I’m being pulled in so many directions.
I do like that app! I’ve been seeing it around on Instagram lately. Maybe I’ll check it out.
I go running. By myself. Which is impossible with a 2-month old right now. She is constantly my present. Which I love. And also need a break from. Basically, I need two of me 🙂
Actually playing with my son and not organizing and putting things away in his room is so worth it. I just need to remember to do it.
Staying in the present is such a hard thing to accomplish. I try it every day, and it is still one of my most elusive goals. One of my favorite quotes is “These days are long but these years are short.” I think it applies best to the job of a mother. Sometimes it is so hard to just be here, but before we know it, these days will be gone. Lovely post.
every morning i have to tell myself to only think of the current needs: charlie’s bottle or cuddles or my having to pee or drink coffee.
being present is a huge goal this time around for me and so far it’s working to keep the ppd and ppa away.
but it’s more work than i thought it would be.
I’ve been meaning to install this. I’m not feeling particularly grateful right now, but I should do it anyway.
I definitely do enjoy reading your grateful lists everyday (most days) on Twitter and it gets me to really think about what i’m most grateful for each day too. XOXO I’m always grateful to have you and Lucas in my life.