How to Stop Obsessing Over the Future and Live in the Present
Today the lovely Jenni from Chilling with Lucas has come to share some thoughts on something I need to do and that is; stop obsessing over the future and just live in the present.
All of us are chasing something, for some, it can be financial success, for others, it can be love and for some others, it can be the feeling of freedom.
No matter what you’re hoping to achieve in the future, some amount of planning and action taking is necessary. That might mean knowing that you would rather have live-in care than go to a nursing home. It might mean that you have written your will. It might even mean that you have plans in place to start your own business or pay off debts or travel around the world. Having plans is a good thing. Acting on those plans is better.
However, a lot of the time, rather than planning and taking action, we obsess over it.
If that sounds like you, here’s a bit of help. Read on to discover how you can stop being obsessed about the future and start living in the present moment.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is one of the most powerful tools when it comes to achieving mental peace and quiet.
Just being more aware and present in the moment and focusing on working only in the current time can really help shift your awareness and make you feel less anxious and worried, and more calm and present.
This one does take some practice, but once you start applying it in all parts of your life, you’ll notice how life and your attitude towards it changes.
Engage in a Different Frequency
What do you feel when you’re worried about the future? Stressed? Tense? Anxious? All of those?
The trick to feeling different is to engage yourself in experiences and situations that make you feel the opposite of those things, it can be different from person to person, but once you start doing more of what makes you feel happy, joyful and satisfied, you’ll find yourself feeling hopeful and positive about what life has in store for you.
So whatever it is that puts you in a better mood, do more of it.
Be Action Oriented
If you’re stuck in a particular situation that you believe, has an impact on your future, and that’s what’s worrying you and causing you to obsess over things, creating an action-oriented solution plan can help.
Brainstorm ways in which you can turn things around and make the best out of what you have, and every single day, take action towards it. This will help keep your mind on a more constructive track.
Get Out
Simply spending some time alone, close to nature can help you feel more at ease and less stressed out.
The next time you find yourself obsessing too much about the future and its uncertainty, get out and take a nice long walk.
A change of scenery, some solitude and time away from the chatter can lend you a fresh perspective of things, can help you feel better and more composed.
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Mindfulness is SO worth trying, though it isn’t always easy. The idea is to quieten and empty your mind, concentrating on the here and NOW, your immediate environment. What noises can you hear? Are they from inside or outside? Listen to and enjoy some long,slow breathing. The problem is the mind is never still and all sorts of things will keep popping into your mind. Have I time to go to the supermaket to pick up those few bits I need? Remember to take the meat out of the freezer when you get home. You MUST post Sue and Mick’s anniversary card straight away if it’s to stand any chance of getting there on time.When you become aware your mind is wandering, just empty it and start at the beginning again. It does get a lot easier!
Guilty! I really need to stop worrying and obsessing over the future. Que Sera Sera!
Great tips! Rather than living for today I am forever worrying about future events which then adds to my anxiety levels. I do find that walking helps so try to do that at times when I feel weighed down with my thoughts.
This is so true, we spend far too much time focusing on what we want like you say, money, freedom etc. We really do need to learn to just live in the moment, I definitely need to tell myself this
These are great ideas, thank you. I know I worry more when there’s nothing I can do to make a start towards things.
Some great tips. I am definitely guilty of worrying about the future.
Great article! I find that many people with chronic pain or illness focus too much on the past or fear the future. They focus on what they “used to do” or catastrophic about the future. This typically increases anxiety or depression. You can only control now. Trying to stay present is difficult, but it becomes easier with practice. Remember– don’t let your thoughts control you! You need to control your thoughts!
some very useful tips here. I struggle so much with my mental health and worry about what I cannot control all the time. It is important to try put things in place to enable you to live in the present
Gaining optimum mental health is to satisfy and please your soul with what gives you complete peace of mind.
These are great tips. I’m so guilty of always looking ahead that I forget to just enjoy the here and now.
I try and live in the present, apart from when I am looking forward to a holiday……then I am on preparation duties
Great advice, I am a “stress head” as my fiance and family say, I do try to fight it because of my children, we go on lots of outdoor activities and walks xx
I have always been a future person. I am not happy unless I am planning.
This is so true. For me I have found that hiking and plenty of fresh air helps me think positive xx
I like going out and walking, exercise helps you feels so much better and its always lovely to walk in a woods or somewhere where you are surrounded by nature
Great tips and I totally agree that getting out can really help, I’ve found that going for a long walk really helps me to think things through and think of a different perspective.
We love to get ‘out’ it really helps with mental health, we have two dogs so we spend a lot of time outside.
Great tips. Get out is a must! – just being outside and with nature really improves my mood and wellbeing.
I am very much someone who believes that everything happens for a reason, so this helps me not to think too much about the past xcom
I am certainly guilty of this! It can be so difficult to focus on the present.
I think almost everyone is busy obsessing over the future, I know I definitely am but I also love to live in the moment.
These are all fantastic tips and I definitely need to take these on board! I am definitely guilty of worry and obsessing over what might happen rather than focusing on the right now which means I often end up missing out or not realising what I have right now until its too late!
Unfortunately it’s easier said than done for some people.
Brilliant tips. Im awful for worrying about silly things. Either worrying about the past and how I may have acted or about the future, worrying about things that may not even happen!it really clouds my mind to be like this so mindfulness is something I really need to practice
It took me so long to appreciate my life in the here and now, I always used to be so concerned about the future I forgot to have enjoyable moments. As I have got older I’ve realised that I’ve got to 47 and most of the anxieties were fruitless. I save money in both work and private pensions so I have no need to worry about finances as I get older, and it’s only sensible to plan for the future, but NOT become obsessed, and getting the catastrophising under control (mostly!) has really helped with my depression.
What a timely read for me. Thank you.
My issue is not the future but the past. I continually find my thoughts dragged back to things that took place years ago.
Fabulous blog post – and so true. We all need to focus on the now as that is what shapes our future i guess! x
Great article thankyou I find myself worrying about the future and try to concentrate on the now
THIS is all I really know how to do these days!! Live in the present. I used to stress about the future SOOO much, but now I just take one day at a time. Life is way less stressful this way!
wonderful article, im deffo guilty of worrying about the future
Those are all great tips and suggestions. For many, I think we’ve lost the ability to live in the present. Our lives can be so consumed, simply by living life. We get pulled in multiple directions, all at the same time and from a magnitude of sources. Our jobs often require us to do more with less. Our homes are on a constant go of shuttling family members to this, that and every other place.
It is often said, that wherever you are, be 100 percent there. If we are truly living in the moment, then chances are we’re not obsessing or trying to live in the future.
Thanks so much for posting this. Very helpful!!