The Truth About Future Thinking

If I am thinking about the future 

I am not 

here

I sat in meditation today thinking about this blog post. For some reason, I’ve been obsessing over this task and completing it soon. This space isn’t supposed to be another chore and it is certainly not a matter of life and death. There is no real timeline, only my own. And it is nagging. 

Backing up a bit, I’ve been obsessing over a lot lately. With big plans on the horizon, plans that require lots of planning and preparation, I’ve found my mind swimming in an ocean of to dos and worries and fears. When I get to this point, which I have been to many times before, I tend to live a few steps ahead of the present. Have you been here too? 

For me, there are a few problems with this future mentality:

1. It doesn’t feel good. I know I am most happy and content when I am centered and regulated, when I can access the present without too much struggle. I am not happy or content when I’m walking through life with my eyes glazed over, imagining what the future may look like and all I need to accomplish. I’m missing everything in front of me, and what’s in front of me is everything. 

   I’m missing everything in front of me, and what’s in front of me is everything. 

2. It is endless. Have you ever noticed that when you are in a spiral of tasks, the list only grows? 

3. It doesn’t actually fix the issue at hand. The issue is that I’m a little freaked out right now. And that doesn’t require more future thinking, it actually requires presence. 

Relatable? 

So, where do we go from here? 

Okay, here’s what I’m thinking: how about we write down a list of 5-10 things that help us find presence in our lives. Our beautiful, imperfect, scary-as-fuck, miraculous lives. Sound good? Here’s mine:

1. Being outside

2. A really hot shower 

3. Tea

4. Music

5. Being silly with my daughter 

6. Listening to the wind 

7. Meditating (and playing a guided meditation if I’m struggling with just silence)

8. Writing 

9. Working out 

10. Swimming 

Look at your list. Now go do three.

Thanks for being here. And remember, you have been okay up until this point, and everything will likely be okay(ish) moving forward. We’ve got this. 

P.S. Since I’m not active on social media, I rely on the growth of this community to spread in a very organic fashion. If you have not already joined my email community, I invite you to sign up below. By joining, you will be the first to hear about new books, meditations and blog posts. I’ll also share the occasional aha moment that I’m facing. Additionally, I ask that you send this blog post to someone in your life who you think would enjoy it too. I’m glad you’re here and thank you for your support.