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How do I live in the moment?

109 Answers
Last Updated: 08/17/2020 at 3:28am
1 Tip to Feel Better
Mexico
Moderated by

Paola Giordani, Psychoanalyst

Licensed Psychoanalyst

I have helped and am helping people cope with loss, divorce, anguish and parenting. Depression is also a major issue that comes up.

Top Rated Answers
NumberEleven
July 15th, 2016 11:58am
Appreciate the things around you,the people who love you and care for you, the people who do things for you even if they don't have to. You're only as young as you are now.
RideaRainbow
July 17th, 2016 7:25pm
It needs a little practice and some amount of tools n training, most of all it is all about Mindfulness. This is achieved n possible through meditation, a positive mental attitude and putting the past , good or bad behind u..... The Mantra to a happy life is LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT !!!!!!!
IrishLauren
July 17th, 2016 8:33pm
Say yes, take chances and be spontaneous! Stay positive and try to remain optimistic! There'll be highs and lows but memories will be made!
Ballard
July 20th, 2016 6:01am
I sometimes struggle with this too. I tend to have the amount of a thousand wild horses galloping in my head at all times, bouncing forth on both sides of my head into the future that is always grim or into the past that holds many traumatic events. I've been learning to focus on counting - I count all blue things or all square-shaped things or all ticking things on my room, for example. I really don't like to use the word "mindfullness" because it's being force-fed to us constantly these days, but basically focusing on what's here and now can work as a tool for living in the moment. Try opening up all your senses to see what works for you best. Are you a hearing person more than a seeing one? Do you smell different nuances better than most? There's bound to be times when your mind wanders into future or past, but remember to be gentle when guiding it back into the now. There's no profit for forcing your head - it'll only wander off more aggressively.
annakx
July 20th, 2016 2:38pm
When you are in a situation or place that something good happens, that's the moment you have to feel and live. Focus on your senses, what you hear, what you see, touch and so on. Let your body express itself by smiling or anything similar. Basically the key is not to over think it and let everything flow. It will get easier by practice and you will eventually enjoy every bit. Xx
Anonymous
July 20th, 2016 10:12pm
Surrender yourself by inspiration in present and don't think about negative thoughts that screw up your mind
PoeticWhisperer13
July 21st, 2016 3:39am
I started living in the moment was when I learned when to say yes and when to say no. Say YES to adventure! And NO to anything negative.
Anonymous
July 21st, 2016 11:10pm
dont care what happens next be happy but not reckless but free from all the hate and worry and pain!
Anonymous
July 22nd, 2016 1:43am
To live in the moment, you will need to stop caring about what other people are thinking and more specifically, what they are thinking about you. In order to feel confident and just be yourself, you have to let go of all the negativity. Whether its pride, insecurities, or your ego, just let them all go. Once you are sure of yourself, you will feel comfortable in your own skin and not care what other people think.
RhinocerosWings
July 23rd, 2016 3:11am
Practice mindfulness. Focus on what's happening now. When thoughts intrude about other things (and those thoughts WILL intrude), accept them and put them aside. Remind yourself that you're focusing on now.
carefreeTree45
July 23rd, 2016 3:53pm
DO THINGS YOU WANT TO DO. Do not worry, do not be sad always look the brigde side of life. Do not let the others break you down. Love yourself and everything will be fine.
ValRuberto
July 27th, 2016 7:25pm
Living in the moment can be hard. The best way to live in the moment is to try your best to stop focusing on the past and worrying about the future. It's easy to let past experiences influence the way we feel now. Bad memories can creep up and make us upset when we don't want to be. Part of living in the moment is trying to shut those bad memories down when they try to make you upset. When you catch yourself thinking about bad things from the past, look around you and try to name one good thing about what's going on right now. Secondly, living in the moment means not worrying excessively about the future. This can be really challenging for some people. Focus on what you're doing right now instead of all of the things that can go wrong a year from now. Living in the moment is challenging but can really benefit your overall mental health.
Openyoursoul22
August 16th, 2016 7:11am
You just do. Make a bucket list and anytime you get the chance do something that's on the bucket list. Be spontaneous, be fearless, be who you feel to be!
chasingchaos
October 10th, 2016 10:27am
The most effective way to live in the moment is to stop living in your head. Thoughts of the past, what you should have done or they shouldn't have done can pull the best of us in a downward spiral of disappointment and regret. Thoughts of the future involve worry and doubt and can lead to extreme anxiety. To live in the moment is to get 'out of your head' and pay attention to want is right in front of you. Many people miss opportunities, chances of bonding with family and friends or simple gestures of kindness because they are so caught up in the incessant stream of thoughts in their minds. And believe it or not, this is a habit! You can break this habit by first becoming aware when you are not fully present in the moment. Then train yourself to switch gears. Intentionally bring yourself to the present moment by fully engaging in conversations by actively listening to people you are around. Use all of your senses to bring yourself back to the present moment. The sights, sounds, the smell; engage all of your senses to switch gears. It is fall and the leaves span a glorious array of colors; look at the beauty. Make it part of your day to see the sun rise or set. And always remember to stay in tune with everything you are grateful for in your day. Keeping a gratitude journal has been scientifically proven to improve the quality of your life. It is definitely easier said than done, to greet each of our moments with our whole being, but with intention and practice you can make attain this goal. And you WILL see the difference in the quality of your life.
soothingStrawberry61
September 26th, 2017 12:43am
Close your eyes and breath deeply and slow down. I always try to list three things right now that I am greatful for. We live in such a fast paced society, even when we get the things we want we are not truely happy. Also making time to sketch your surroundings. You'd be suprised how much you pass in a day that you don't actually see. I highly recommend the book On Looking: A Walker’s Guide to the Art of Observation. Also the Tao of Pooh Enjoy!
YellowSunshine14
April 2nd, 2018 10:25am
Mindfulness! Try to pay less attention to the things that have happened to you in the past, and stop worrying about the future. Just take the time to appreciate the things around you, and the situation you are in right NOW. You could also try doing the 5 Senses activities, where you name the things you see, hear, taste, smell, feel etc.
Annie108
August 14th, 2018 2:34pm
You can't change the past, you can't predict the future either. We are here, living in this moment, breathing, watching, touching, enjoying, experiencing. We are wild and young and free. Why do we have to care about what people talk behind our back? Life is a an endless journey. Keep going ahead and you will see the beautiful things along the road you take.
SunshineShowers
September 4th, 2018 5:12pm
You can live in the moment by practising mindfulness. You can work on practising mindfulness through meditation, breathing exercises, taking time to notice the little things etc... There are many websites and books dedicated to this. I find few things more grounding than feeling the weight of my body in my shoes, and feeling the ground beneath my feet. Listen to the birds. Notice how your clothes feel against your skin. Taste food! Now that's one that I love... Food never tastes better than when you eat it and focus on what it tastes like rather than just shovelling it down. Best of luck :)
WildflowerHeather
August 17th, 2020 3:28am
Living in the moment is definitely a hard state of mind to achieve, but the best way I know to get there is to notice what’s happening around you. Let go of what’s troubling you for just a moment, and slow down to see the world. What do you see? Who or what is around you? What’s the weather like today? Is it hot or cold? What do you hear? Is there music playing nearby? What do you smell? Perhaps something’s cooking in the kitchen, or someone just sprayed perfume. When you eat, take time to savor the flavor. Take some deep breaths, and harness the moment you are living in. Take time to see the little things in life! As the old saying goes, “stop and smell the roses.”