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| via groundwork etsy shop |
I am good at reflecting on the past, wishing I could redo things, erase things, change things.
I am not good at being present. I am not good at seeing every day as a gift-- even if I'm tired that day or the bus is late again, or someone says something that hits me the wrong way.
Instead I constantly think "what if" or "what could be."
Lately I'm trying to focus on what is.
It's not bad to reflect, it's not bad to dream, and set goals-- and I defintely do a lot of that-- but I'm trying to teach my control freak self to let go a little bit and just enjoy what God has for me each day. And for me, that's definitely not easy.
So I ask, do you have any tips?
xo, erika
I'm no help because I'm exactly the same way as you =-/
ReplyDeleteoh, this is a battle for me too. I try to catch myself enjoying something and just take it in for what it's worth.
ReplyDeleteI think so many people struggle with this! Its so easy to do! If ya figure it out, let the rest of us know! ;)
ReplyDeleteNot so much a tip, but I found I had this exact same problem and around the birth of my second son I realized how fleeting all these moments were. I sat there realizing how much I missed about my oldest being a baby and decided to enjoy all the moments I could with both of them. Their childhood is short and I want to be present for it all, mentally speaking. I do my best to focus on the now with both my boys and my shops. Sure some days the dishes don't get done or I can absolutely no crafting done, but I was there for their smiles, tears and hugs. I don't dare look in the past anymore as mommy guilt would eat me alive, and for the future well I just want to enjoy the moments I have now, no sense in dreaming up what we all will become.
ReplyDeleteI realize this is of no help to you as you are still in that lovely newlywed stage and God bless you for that, they were some of the happiest of times for me. But I mean to say, the peace of mind you search for will come. You never know what moment will suddenly hit you and make you go "Gosh, I need to stop and smell the roses more often" but one day it will happen.
I think it's important to take time to pray, journal and reflect every day. It gives you an opportunity to gain some perspective and recount little blessings. I'm definitely not the best at doing this but when I do, it's effective at helping me to appreciate where I am, now.
ReplyDeletethis is definitely something i struggle with, too. if i know i need to be in the right hand lane in 3 miles, i may as well be there now, no matter how many buses i get stuck behind.
ReplyDeletewhen i notice myself talking about thing i "want to start doing," i try to stop myself and make them something i do. maybe using present-tense language can help us trick our brains into being more present in the rest of our lives?
ps. so sorry for the awkward and unintentional characterization of you/the blogger i want to be. granted, i do always show my boyfriend when your little corgster shows up in the background of photos and whine about how much cuter my outfit posts would be if we had one!
writeslikeagirlblog.blogspot.com
i think everyone struggles with this - i'm the first to raise my hand! often times what helps me is to write out "grateful lists" - whether its 5 or 10 things things that i can think of PRESENTLY that i am grateful for. it helps with my perspective a lot! there is always something - whether it's the air we breath or some cute corgi that makes us smile every day. ;)
ReplyDeletelove you! have a fun trip!
I think a lot of women are link this, we all worry and wonder entirely too much. I have done better lately and I look around and see how wonderful thigns have worked out and that is what gives me faith to just enjoy it and know that I dont need to worrry about the future becuase the present is proof that it will be ok. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://sincerelyarizona.blogspot.com/
I think a lot of women are link this, we all worry and wonder entirely too much. I have done better lately and I look around and see how wonderful thigns have worked out and that is what gives me faith to just enjoy it and know that I dont need to worrry about the future becuase the present is proof that it will be ok. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://sincerelyarizona.blogspot.com/
how funny we both posted about this. I can completely relate to being able to think about the future but not the present. I am always comparing myself to others and forget we are all in a very different situation. I am always thinking about how life would be better if we just had this or could just do that. I am really trying very hard to not spend the next 3 years in virginia always thinking about what I want to do in the future, and try and make it happen now or be happy with now.
ReplyDelete