Motivational Monday–Staying Present

I feel like I owe you all an explanation.  First I change up the blog, do a giveaway, and start writing a post a day and then I up and disappear for a week. 

Lame.

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“Live your life, take chances, be crazy.

Don’t wait cause right now is the oldest you’ve ever been & the youngest you’ll be ever again.”

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Here’s the deal: The past few weeks I found a spark to really work on the blog.  I have a serious passion for writing, I love being able to document my life, and I adore my followers.  I’m also coming to the end of my Masters program and unsure as to what I want to do with myself next (I joke with my husband that I feel like I’ve already had about 4 quarter-life crises because I feel like I’m constantly recreating myself when I come to these crossroads in life). 

This past week, though, I had a few big deadlines for both my internship and school, leaving me feeling pretty overwhelmed.  Add to that the need to start job hunting, and I felt immobilized with worry and fear – something I’m constantly learning to work through. 

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In these times of feeling especially worried and fearful about the future (What if I wasted all this time in school and won’t be able to support my family? How am I going to get back into Personal Training/Instructing shape?  What if I fail miserably at writing/creating/being a mother?),  I try my best not to get too overwhelmed by simply STAYING PRESENT. 

I know, it’s so much harder than it seems sometimes. 

Over the years, I’ve found that when I simply take a moment to be – right here, right now – I gain a sense of gratitude for life.  A gratitude not just for everything I have, or have been given, but for simply being alive.  Having the opportunity to grow.  And yes, also having the opportunity to fail.  A lot of the time, that’s all I need to get me through a rough patch. 

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Once in a while I’m capable of recognizing when I need to take a moment to just be, and to reset.  But most times when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I become engulfed with emotion and don’t realize I’m overwhelmed until I’ve self-sabotaged in some way and/or gotten into a huge argument with a loved one.  Anyone else have this issue?

I do believe that taking a moment to just be is beneficial whether you’ve already begun feeling overwhelmed or as a preventative measure, so I’ve started to implement daily activities to stay both present and mindful about how I’m feeling. 

Here are some ideas for staying present:

Create reminders for yourself around your home.  I have my biggest goals plastered all over the house [here are a few of my Notes to Self], especially in the spaces I visit a lot (like the fridge and the bathroom).  Many times, right as I’m about to self-sabotage, I’m able to catch myself with a note and remember what’s important and why I’m living my life this way. 

Sit alone for a few minutes each morning.  Notice I didn’t say “meditate” or “practice yoga” or anything like that because people tend to get overwhelmed with the concept of having to do those things “correctly”.  Just sit for a few minutes each morning as you rise.  You can think or not think, sing or stay silent, move or not move… whatever you’re doing – as long as you’ve created time to reconnect with yourself and no one else – is perfect. 

Go for a walk every day.  Same concept here, except take it outside.  I like to be in nature, leave the ipod at home, and turn off the cell.  Now that the little one’s here, I make sure to take him for a stroll at least once a day, which allows us time to connect with each other without too many distractions. 

Disconnect.  We are so connected all the time.  People can reach us on our cell phones anytime; information is available to us at the touch of a screen; even email is checkable 24/7 nowadays.  Turn everything off for an afternoon – or just an hour, if you can’t handle that – and simply listen to the rusting of the leaves outside. 

Breathe.  Reconnect with yourself by simply listening to the sound of your own breath for a few minutes.  To me, it’s empowering to remember that I am alive.  My body is in perfect working order.  And that truly, that’s all I’ll ever need. 

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How do you practice being present? 

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Motivational Mondays are meant to offer you tips and tools to help you live a healthy and balanced lifestyle.  What would you like to see for Motivational Mondays? Would you like to be a contributor? Comment or email me at simpleyetsignificant[at]gmail.com!

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