How To Celebrate Where You’re At

It’s good to stay motivated and focused on accomplishing your long-term goals and dreams, but it’s also important to remember to live in the moment and appreciate the joys of everyday life. It is very easy to get caught up in the “I’ll be happy when…” thought process. This is when you feel as if your life is not complete or you aren’t allowed to be happy until you have accomplished a certain goal in life. For some people their “I’ll be happy when” may pertain to graduating high school or college, landing a particular job, buying a house, paying off student loans, or getting engaged.

The truth is that, even after you accomplish these things, there will likely still be something you want or something left to work toward. You can easily become so caught up in looking to the future that life in the present passes you by without you truly enjoying it. This is why it is so important to learn how to celebrate your current stage in life, even if you’re still working toward where you want to be.

Why Living in the Moment Is So Important

Living in the moment involves letting go of things that may have happened in the past and are no longer in your control; all you can do is move forward. It also involves not spending too much time worrying about the future. Instead, focus on the present moment and the joys and unique experiences associated with it.

Maybe you’re not yet where you want to be or where you once thought you’d be in life by this point. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still celebrate the now. In fact, living in the moment can actually improve your mental health by decreasing stress levels and preventing the development of disorders like anxiety and depression. Some other perks of living in the moment may include:

• Big projects might seem less scary and overwhelming
• You can be more present for those you love
• You’ll waste less time overthinking
• You could begin to notice and appreciate the world around you more
• You might stop overlooking the little joys in life
• You may have a greater appreciation for small successes
• You’ll be more pleasant to be around and converse with
• Creativity may come easier to you
• You’ll find yourself becoming more easygoing and carefree

How to Start Living in the Moment

If you’ve decided you want to start trying harder to live in the moment, consider the following tips:

Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is important for maintaining good mental health. Even on the worst of days, there are still things to be grateful for, however small. To help foster a greater sense of gratitude, consider keeping a gratitude journal, either in a physical notebook or on a digital device. Every day, write down three things that you’re grateful for. They can be positive things that happened during the day or general things you are grateful for. Doing this right after you wake up or right before you go to bed can help you start the day ahead with a more positive attitude.

Celebrate the Small Things

There is always a reason to celebrate. When something positive happens in your life or you accomplish something, set aside time to acknowledge it and reward yourself for it.

Avoid Spending Too Much Time on Your Phone

While it’s easy to get caught up in scrolling through social media, this practice is the opposite of living in the moment. It may cause you to dwell on the past or become jealous of something you want in the future, so you overlook the joys of the current moment. Limit your phone usage as much as you can and make sure to put it away when you’re spending time with others.

Track Your Progress

When you accomplish a certain goal, document it either by taking a photo or tracking it in a journal. This way you can look back and see how far you’ve come.

Get Out Into Nature

There are so many mental health benefits associated with spending time in the great outdoors. Not only can it help lower your stress levels but it can help you gain a better perspective and sense of focus. After spending time outside you may find yourself feeling mentally refreshed and rejuvenated.

Don’t Keep Your Successes to Yourself

When you accomplish something important in your life, don’t be afraid to share it with those you love and allow them to celebrate with you. You worked hard and deserve to feel proud of what you accomplished.

While it is okay to look forward to the future and work hard to accomplish your goals, it is also important to remember to live in the moment and celebrate your current state in life. You might not be where you want to be in life yet but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to be happy. A big aspect of celebrating life is learning to live in the moment. This involves letting go of the past and not wasting time worrying about the future. This practice can greatly improve your overall mental health and well-being. Some tips for living in the moment include: celebrating the small things, practicing gratitude, tracking your progress, and sharing your successes with others. At Headlight we want to help you start living your best life possible by achieving better mental health. Call 800-930-0803 today to learn more.