The moment passes before we even realize it’s here. Don’t let too many slip by you. Try these quick ways to be present and live in the moment.
- Follow your breath.
- Name the emotion you are experiencing right now.
- Stop making a to-do list in your mind.
- Play with your pets.
- Notice the moon and what cycle it’s in.
- Change your plans spontaneously if you feel pulled to do so.
- Be near water.
- Engage in physical activity for the sheer enjoyment of it. Forget your workout plan.
- Stop thinking about what you will make for dinner tonight.
- Name a physical sensation you are experiencing right now.
- Walk through the woods.
- Name something that you love.
- Take a nap.
- Listen.
- Feel fear. Sit with it.
- Do nothing.
- Be silent.
- Stop thinking about your weekend plans on Wednesday.
- Sit down to eat. Don’t do anything else while eating.
- Create something.
- Learn something new.
- Follow your intuition.
- Pay attention to the change of season.
- Notice the sunrise (if you are up that early!).
- Notice the sunset.
- Do chores without trying to “get them over with.”
- Observe your pets’ behavior.
- Don’t always try to be efficient.
- Pick a day and don’t make any plans.
- Enjoy being with your family and friends without expecting anything from them.
“Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.” – Tennessee Williams
What would you add to this list? What helps you live in the moment? Share your tips and thoughts in the comments. 🙂
LOVE this post! (of course!)
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..how to let go of what you don’t need =-.
Hi Dani – Thanks!
Hi Patty – There are a few Tennessee Williams’ quotes that really strike me, but I’m only familiar with some of his work. Maybe I should check more of it out!
Hi Belinda – Thanks for your comment! Being in or around water just makes me feel a certain way. It’s hard to describe. 🙂
Hi Amanda – Thanks for this. I particularly need to remember #18: Stop thinking about your weekend plans on Wednesday. For me it could even be, “stop thinking about where you’ll be tomorrow at 3:00 pm and just be where you are right now!” Hey, I also love the Tennessee Williams quote. I’ve noticed you’ve used others before. Are you a fan? I’m a HUGE fan. And coincidentally, when Sondheim was talking about foxes vs. hedgehogs, he used Tennessee Williams as an example of a hedgehog!
.-= Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..Creative Inspiration From Stephen Sondheim =-.
Hi Amanda, I’m a new visitor.
Great list!
I’m great with #6. If we’re not flexible, then we close ourselves off to the gift of surprise and spontaneity.
#7 is a must for me. I have always savored the healing powers of large bodies of water. That overwhelming feeling that can make any challenge seem small.
Your list is great! Most of the ones that come to mind for me are just variations on yours:
Smile at someone
Hug your kids
Hug your dog
Smell a flower
Feel the sun on your face – or-
Feel the rain on your face – or-
Feel the wind on your face
Sing
Dance
Color
.-= Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..10 Characteristics of Women’s Energy Bodies =-.
Hi Lisa – Thanks for these additions. I really like “Feel the ____ on your face” – there are so many variations of that!
Hi SpinDiva – Almost like a procrastination list? I like it. 🙂
Hi Zeenat – Thanks for your visit! The power of breath is something I have been thinking about. That had to be #1. 🙂
I love it! This is a great list I think I’ll borrow it and put in on my fridge door. Sometimes I need little reminders about what to do with my time. Not like I don’t have enough to do but sometimes I just don’t want to do what I know I have to do…does that even make sense? Anyway, Thanks, this is great.
Tere
.-= SpinDiva´s last blog .."This is it." =-.
Hi Amanda,
This is my first time here…and i love it. so peaceful here.
Your list is complete in itself..i really dont know what else to add.
Follow your breath is just my favorite. Cause if you do really really follow your breath…then this moment will never be lost as you will be guided by your breath to truly do what you love most, thereby living in the moment so fully..its amazing.
Lots of love
Zeenat.
.-= Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Our Life’s Shelter =-.
Amanda,
My 10 month old grandson was here for 10 days. I noticed he knows nothing but present moment living. That must be one thing that make people crazy over babies and small children. They are wiser than we in this way. It was such a joy watching him.
One of the most striking moments was watching him be present while eating bread. The way he looked at it before biting, chewing I could tell he was thinking of nothing but the taste of the bread. Then he would swallow, pause, gaze at the bread again and repeat. He paid attention to nothing and no one else. It was a joy and a lesson. How many of us eat in a hurry, on the run or thoughtlessly. I got the message loud and clear!
Hi Tess – What a great way to observe present moment living. And to witness mindful eating too. That’s something you don’t see everyday. 😉
Amanda — What a great list. You should start it as regular feature and let people add to it. I loved all of yours, especially the ones about animals! I can definitely get into the moment when I watch my cat sleep:~)
Here are a few of mine:
watch birds eating at a feeder or taking a bird bath outside my porch
look up in the sky and watch the clouds float by on a sunny day
step outside and listen the chorus of sounds in my backyard
take a walk
Here’s one I need to work on: eating in the moment. I’m not so good at this:~)
.-= Sara´s last blog ..My Halloween Scare =-.
Hi Sara – That is a great idea! I would love to see the list keep growing. Watching birds is a great addition. I find that watching any animal or insect do what they do usually puts me right there in the moment with them.