Have you ever struggled with overthinking? If so, you’re not alone.
I struggled with overthinking a lot in high school and university. And as a result, I felt depressed at times.
But over the years, I’ve learned to reduce my overthinking by staying in the present.
And now, I overthink less. And I feel much happier with my life.
So, without further ado, let’s cover:
- What is the present moment?
- Why is living in the present moment important?
- Why is it so difficult to live in the present moment?
- How should you balance the past, present, and future?
- 7 simple ways to live in the present moment
What is the present moment?
Being in the present moment is being in the here and now.
For example, you’re present when you focus on how your partner’s eyes crinkle when they smile. How your friend’s nose twitches when she laughs. Or how your son holds his spoon.
Why is living in the present moment important?
Kids are happy most of the time, right? Have you ever wondered why?
Well, it’s because they’re immersed in their environment. They don’t think about the past or the future. They just enjoy every moment without giving it any thought.
We were like this when we were kids, too. But then, as we got older, we began to overthink. We started to dwell on the past and worry about the future.
And this is why we tend to get unhappier and unhappier as we age. Especially during our 20s and the decade from 40–50. In fact, people score lower in happiness levels at these ages.
Think about it. How often does your mind drift to the past only to become depressed?
Do you replay your mistakes repeatedly, wondering what you could’ve done differently? Or do you relive the same embarrassing moment hundreds of times?
This happens mostly at night when I’m trying to sleep.
