THE CHRONICLES #11: STAYING PRESENT + 5 TIPS ON HOW TO DO IT

when I was a little girl & things changed in my life, I freaked so much I'd break out in hives.

the "unknown" & not being able to control it stilllll gives me the most anxiety.
but, luckily now that I'm older, I can kindly tell anxiety to go f%ck itself!
(most of the time.)

moments of weakness are inevitable, and that's where I've found myself lately: on edge, sweaty palms, uneasy stomach, wondering wtf is going to happen next in life.

some seriously trying obstacles have been placed in not only my way, but in the way of my relationships too, and it's inspired me to make some life changes. & tbh, the gemini in me is ready to shake shit up.


the chase of "what's next" is not only exhilirating, it's also distracting from what's actually happening and personally, I thrive off that because it keeps me from having to feel what's unfolding in front of me...but I've come to terms w/ how unhealthy it is to not accept your own emotions & how important is it to understand how they shape you as an individual.

so, to avoid freaking out over what could happen, I'm learning to be more present in what is happening.

my mind stays occupied in the now, rather than obsessing over the what if's,
& here's how and why:

5 ways to be more present:

+ REFLECT & JOURNAL - take time to write down what happened during the day, what inspires you, favorite quotes, etc. because it forces us to be present.

+ DO LESS, EVERY DAY - when your schedule is jam packed, there's zero time to actually be in the now, so rather than cramming, space out what needs to be done and take time to breathe.

+ SINGLE TASK, NOT MULTITASK - much like "doing less, every day," multitasking takes up too much energy to allow time to be present in whatever it is you're actually doing, so instead tend to one thing at a time.

+ UNPLUG @ NIGHT - by ridding ourselves of endless scrolling on our phones, laptops, tablets, we're able to actually to disconnect & as a result, be in the moment, even if that moment is just sitting on the couch watching t.v.

+ LET GOOO - holding onto things that happened during the day (conversations you had, fights you might've gotten in, mistakes you could have made) will lead to overthinking which is a huuuuge no-no for being present. our brains become occupied w/ thoughts that most times are irrelevant, so LET THAT SH!T GO! 

insecurities can (sometimes) lead to enlightenment when not ignored, so rather than running from them, understand them, then grow above them. I'll be over here trying to live by that motto regularly—make it my affirmation, maybe—& I hope you can all start to too. x