Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Christin
We all know that worry can be an overwhelming feeling. It consumes our thoughts, causing us to miss out on the little things in life. We often think about what could go wrong tomorrow or next week, but in reality, those thoughts are just mere possibilities.ย A woman over 100 years old once said the secret to living life is to live for today. Don’t worry about the future because things can change quickly. This is such good advice! Things can change in a moment and that thing you were worrying about can disappear, so why not focus on today and make the most of it?
1. Be Mindful of Your Thoughts
One of the first steps in living for today is to be mindful of our thoughts. Don’t let them take over your day by worrying about things that may never happen!
Being mindful of your thoughts involves paying attention to what’s happening in your mind right now, without trying to change anything. This process starts with recognizing when you’re caught in a whirlwind of worries about the future, and acknowledging these thoughts without judgment. Then you can refocus back on the present moment.
A good way to practice this is to take a few minutes each day to quiet your mind and simply observe your thoughts. You can do this through meditation, mindfulness exercises, or even just sitting quietly with a cup of tea. As you become more aware of your thoughts, you’ll start to notice patterns, triggers, and common themes.
You may also want to journal your thoughts to help you get it all out and see, on paper, what’s really bothering you.
You’ll start to see that many of your worries are hypothetical scenarios about the future that may never come to pass. This awareness can help you to gently steer your focus back to the present moment, helping you to engage more fully with life as it’s happening right now, and live for today.
2. Use Affirmations For Presence And For Worry
Affirmations are a powerful tool that can help us combat worry. By repeating positive statements to ourselves, we can shift our mindset from one of fear and anxiety to one of confidence and peace. Some affirmations that can help with presence and worry include:
- I trust in the journey of life and let go of worries about the future.
- I live in the moment.
- I release any fears or doubts and embrace the present moment.
- I am fully immersed in everything I do.
- I am strong, capable, and able to handle whatever comes my way.
You can find more affirmations for worry here.
Choose affirmations that resonate with you personally, and make a habit of repeating them to yourself whenever you feel worried or anxious. You can write them down and post them in places where you’ll see them often, such as on your mirror or computer screen. With consistent practice, affirmations can help to reframe your thoughts and remind you to live for today rather than getting caught up in worries about tomorrow.
3. Really Pay Attention To What’s Going On
Use your senses to their maximum capabilities. Engage in activities that you truly enjoy, and be fully present while doing them. Whether it’s cooking, reading, or playing a game, focus on the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations around you.
When talking to someone, fully engage in the conversation and spirit of what is being talked about. Even if it’s a stranger or a conversation you are not interested in, find a way to engage in it and make it important.
This level of presence can help to quiet your mind and bring a sense of calmness to your day. It can also remind you that life is happening right now, and that’s where your energy should be directed.
4. Journal With Prompts
Use prompts in your journaling to help you focus on things that truly matter today, such as love, kindness, forgiveness, fun, and living life to it’s fullest. Some examples of prompts might include:
- What am I grateful for today?
- How can I spread love and kindness to others?
- How can I forgive myself or someone else?
- What brings me joy and how can I incorporate more of that into my life?
These prompts can help you shift your focus from worrying about the future to being mindful of the present moment. You can use a journal or even just sticky notes to jot down your thoughts and reflections.
I highly recommend journaling with oracle cards if you want to focus on an important topic daily in your journal. Oracle cards can provide guidance, inspiration, and a positive outlook on life.
They can also help you stay mindful and live for today rather than getting caught up in worries about tomorrow.
5. Surround Yourself With People Who Live In The Moment
The people we spend our time with can greatly influence our thoughts and emotions. Don’t hang out with those negative people who complain about everything and everyone. It will do you no good and keep you stuck worrying about things.
Moreover, spend time with people who live in the moment and encourage you to do the same. This will help you cultivate a more positive and mindful mindset.
6. Focus On A Daily Intention
A daily intention looks like this: Today I will (fill in the blank). By focusing on in a daily intention, such as ‘Today I will find ways to have fun’, you are setting a positive and achievable goal for yourself for TODAY. This can help you stay present and focused on living for today, rather than worrying about the future.
Here are some examples
- Today, I will embrace every moment, not worrying about the future.
- Today, I will maintain a positive mindset, no matter what happens.
- Today, I will express gratitude for the blessings in my life.
- Today, I will engage in activities that bring me joy and fulfillment.
- Today, I will take time to breathe deeply and relax.
- Today, I will extend kindness to myself and others.
- Today, I will stay focused on tasks and not let my mind wander.
- Today, I will practice patience, allowing things to unfold naturally.
- Today, I will take a break from technology to connect with nature.
- Today, I will use positive affirmations to combat any worries or fears.
7. Use Your Imagination And Visualize
Visualization is a powerful tool to help you stay present and focused on the here and now. And it’s a free tool we all have.
Take a few minutes each day to close your eyes and imagine yourself in your ideal situation or place. This can be a calming beach, a peaceful mountain top, or simply a moment of happiness with loved ones.
By visualizing positive scenarios happening to you right now, you are training your mind to focus on the present and let go of worries about the future. Allow your imagination to take you to a calming and happy place, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
8. Maintain A Grateful Heart
Being grateful for what you have in your life can help shift your mindset from worrying about tomorrow to appreciating today.
As often as you can, focus on gratitude. For instance, look around and feel grat3eful for where you are right now. Or,ย as you finish one activity in your day, stop and focus on how grateful you are for doing that activity or maybe even finishing that activity!
By focusing on the good in your life, you are acknowledging the present moment and releasing worry about the future.
9. Stop And Smell The Roses
Sometimes, we can get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to stop and appreciate the little things.
Take a few moments each day to notice the beauty around you. Whether it’s a happy person, the clouds in the sky, or the smell of that rose!
By being mindful of our surroundings and appreciating them, we are living in the present and not allowing worries about the future to consume us.
10. Let Go Of Control
One of the biggest sources of worry is trying to control every aspect of our lives. However, it’s important to recognize that there are certain things that are out of our control.
Instead of obsessing over the future and trying to plan every detail, let go and trust that everything will work out for the best. By relinquishing control, we are living in the present and allowing life to unfold naturally.
This is a great way to manifest what you want, by the way.
11. Focus On Learning
Instead of worrying about what might happen tomorrow, focus on improving your skills and knowledge today.
This could be as simple as reading a new book or taking an online course. By focusing on growth and learning, we are living for today and trusting that our efforts will pay off in the future.
12. Connect With The Earth
Spending time in nature can help us feel grounded and present.
Take a walk, go for a hike, or simply sit outside and observe the beauty around you.
By connecting with the earth, we are reminded to slow down and appreciate the present moment. This can also help alleviate worries about the future by providing a sense of peace and calm.
Little Games To Play Daily To Live For The Day
To help you live for today and stop worrying about tomorrow, try incorporating these fun games into your daily routine:
- The Gratitude Game: Each day, write down one thing you are grateful for and put it in a jar. On days when you need a reminder to appreciate the present moment, pull out a gratitude note and reflect on it.
- The Mindful Walking Game: Take a walk and focus on your surroundings. Notice the colors, textures, and sounds around you. This will help bring you back to the present moment and let go of worries.
- The Affirmation Game: Write down positive affirmations such as “I am capable” or “I trust in the journey” and post them where you can see them. Repeat them to yourself whenever you feel worry creeping in.
- The ‘Make Today Count’ game: Each day, set one small goal for yourself that will bring joy or fulfillment. It can be something as simple as trying a new recipe or going for a hike. By focusing on making each day count, we can live for today and stop worrying about the future.
Embrace each moment and make today count – because real life (not what you imagine could happen) is happening now!
