Being Present and Mindful When You’re Always Working

As a student, employee, and an average 20 year old, I feel a constant need to be busy. Whether it be working on homework, essays, or just doing busy work, I always have to be moving around. I’m sure if you are reading this, I am not the only one who feels this impending need to be productive. If you are like me, then you have probably noticed that being present and mindful of what is happening in your life, your emotions, or actually being present in the task you are doing can be hard when you are constantly thinking about what you are going to do next. 

Simply put, being present is the idea of being in the moment, fully enjoying and focusing on what is going on around you in that very moment in time. I find it is easier to explain being present through talking about what being present is not. When we are not present, we tend to be focused on the next move, other responsibilities that we have, etc whilst doing something else. It is working on homework while thinking about the fact that you have another homework assignment to work on and trying to rush to finish the first one to go onto the next. When we are not present or mindful of what we are doing, we are not able to fully enjoy what we are doing, even if it's a 10 page paper. 

Being present and practicing mindfulness can feel scary, uncomfortable, and dangerous. As the idea of being quiet, observing your thoughts, and sitting still, can feel threatening to some (I am one of these people). The idea of observing your feelings and thoughts was something foreign to me, and when implemented, felt uncomfortable and threatening, because I was terrified that If I sat still for too long, negative feelings or thoughts were going to arise far too intensely, and I would not be able to handle it.

I have since then learned that being mindful of one’s emotions and thoughts is something that allows us to be present, and allows us to become in tune with ourselves.

Whatever you are doing in this moment, (for example, reading this blog post), take a deep breath, place your focus completely on this one act. Pay attention to your feelings as you are reading, your thoughts as they arise whilst reading, and your bodily reactions/sensations.

As you do this, you will notice your thoughts. Observe them, don’t judge them or pick at them, just observe them as though they are floating across your mind and leave. If you notice that your brain is jumping around through different thoughts, that’s okay. Become aware of this nature, and calmly bring yourself back to the present.

Do this once, twice, twenty times. as many times as you need. At first, it can feel uncomfortable, strange, especially if you’ve never taken the time to fully observe yourself, your feelings, and your thoughts. Go slow, be gentle, and simply observe, do not hold on to said thoughts or feelings. let them come as they go. Practice this throughout your day, when you find yourself wandering off into your mind, take a deep breath, bring your attention and focus to what is happening around you, observe the way your chest falls and rises while you inhale and exhale, the way your body feels, your feelings as they are coming and going, and your thoughts. Become in tune with yourself.

To become present, it is a fairly simple practice in writing, but one that requires consistent practice, just as any other habit you may take on. you must practice, practice, and when you think you’ve practiced enough, you practice again, until it becomes second nature.

Be present and joyful in what you are doing, let yourself feel it all. Be thankful that you are able to do the task you are doing, being with the person you are with, experiencing what you are. feel every sensation that arises, and let it come as it goes, and experience it fully, wholeheartedly. In the midst of chaos and anxiety, remember to breathe.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.