Time is a fickle thing. I want to rush through it and get to the big moments, and then when those moments are done, I realize I missed out on appreciating all the time I zoomed past. Was I paying attention to those little, special moments in between the grand events? Am I too focused on the future and not on the now? Babe M and I both turn 30 this year, and as I was reading through her story, I related a lot with what she was saying. "Live in the moment and appreciate where you are. I feel like I always wanted to be at a different point in my life and missed out on some of the moments. Especially the ones with less responsibility!" Well dang, Babe M, you didn't have to hit home THAT hard!
She's right, though. How many of us have failed to appreciate where we are because we're anxious about where we *think* we need to be? I catch myself doing this a lot, especially when it comes to my business. Maybe you're missing out on the now because you're thinking about having kids in the future, wondering when you'll buy your house, questioning if you'll ever love your body, concerned about a promotion at work, or focusing on whether or not you'll get married. There are infinite possibilities in our future, but if that's all we're thinking about, we miss the glorious now.
Here are 3 ways I like to live in the moment:
Specifically pay attention to the small moments: how the light pours in through my bedroom window in the morning, the smell of my dog's paws, the scratchiness of my hubby's beard when he leans in for a kiss. Pay attention to these little moments and choose to be grateful for them.
Speaking of gratitude, make lists of what you're grateful for. Start a list on your phone or pick up a journal and add "write what I'm grateful for" to your morning ritual.
When anxiety pops up, question it. Do I actually need to be worried about this right now or is my brain in over-drive? Am I anxious about something that's a legitimate problem or am I failing to be grateful for the now? Questioning my feelings has helped me so much! I'm more introspective now.
Babe M knows what's up. She's thoughtful, inquisitive about herself, and figuring out how to grow. She's not letting time fly by her anymore, and she's finding moments in her life to appreciate. I wish her all the best, and I'm so grateful she chose to spend some of her precious time with me. Check out her session and her story below.
How do you feel about your body?
Depends on the day! I have been working to accept my body and focus less on where I may have been years ago, and finding appreciation in where I am today. I have parts that I want to work to improve or that I am self conscious of, but am trying to not let that stop me from experiencing life... or food.
How do you feel about your age? Oh wow, turning 30 this summer and as much as I want to say it’s just a number- part of me is a little anxious about it. I think the society ideas around women turning 30, especially if you haven’t had kids whispers in the back of my mind. At the same time I have a feeling turning 30 will come and go, and I will look back at it all being kinda silly. I have accomplished a lot more than I thought I would at this point between work and financial stability so I am trying to focus on my accomplishments more than where I thought I would or should be.
What gets better with age?
Life as a whole- there is so much independence and control over what I want to do or what I think is best and for the most part I get to do those things. Plus as I go through different experiences I am able to grow as a person and become more accepting of who I am.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self? Live in the moment and appreciate where you are. I feel like I always wanted to be at a different point in my life and missed out on some of the moments. Especially the ones with less responsibility!
Describe yourself in five words Independent, loving, dynamic, generous, emotional
On bad body image days, how will you remind yourself that you're awesome? Looking at the amazing photos you took! It’s so different seeing the photos and thinking that’s me?! Omg! So excited to see the final product :)
What's your favorite form of self care? Wine and a funny movie- escaping and relaxing.
