How to Be More Present: 12 Simple Ways to Live in the Moment
Struggling to slow down and wondering how to be more present? Here are simple ways to embrace living more mindfully.
Have you ever felt like life is moving too fast, and you’re always trying to keep up?
As a nurse, I felt like I was constantly wishing the days away, counting the hours until my shift ended. Working 12-hour shifts meant this was a long wait, and the only days I truly enjoyed were the ones I spent at home with my family. But it wasn’t because I hated hard work; I couldn’t handle the emotional stress that nursing brought into my life.
Only when I stepped away from my nursing career did I start to appreciate the small things. Seeing so many patients never return home gave me a unique and profound perspective. It made me realise how precious every single moment is. Some patients left a lasting impact on me, and for that, I will always be grateful. They taught me to never take anything for granted, something I may never have fully embraced if not for my time as a nurse.
We live in a world where we always think about the next thing, the next task, but being present really matters. Getting caught up in endless to-do lists, future events, or distractions from our phones and social media platforms is easy. However, when we aren’t fully engaged in the current moment, we miss out on the richness of everyday life, the small joys, deep connections, and meaningful experiences that truly matter.
How to Be More Present: Simple Ways to Live in the Moment
What Does It Mean to Be Present?
At its core, mindfulness is paying full attention to the present moment without judgment. It means fully engaging in whatever you’re doing, whether having a conversation, eating a meal or taking a simple walk, rather than letting your mind wander to past mistakes or worry about future events.
Being present means immersing yourself in the current moment and noticing the small things happening around and within you. It allows for active listening, meaning we give our full attention to the people in our lives. This leads to better relationships, deeper conversations, and stronger emotional health.
Simple Ways to Be More Present in Daily Life
If you’re finding it challenging to be present in your everyday life, the good news is that there are simple ways to shift your mindset and start practising mindfulness.
Here are some powerful tools you can implement today to help you slow down and embrace the present moment:
Mindfulness Practices
The best way to begin cultivating presence is to practice mindfulness throughout your daily routine.
1. Breathing with intention
Mindful breathing is a great way to ground yourself in the present. Try taking deep breaths whenever you feel overwhelmed. I do box breathing regularly and find it instantly calms my nervous system.
2. Engage your senses
A good technique I have learnt to connect with the current moment is by paying attention to your sensory experiences. What do you see, hear, feel, and smell? This precise kind of focus helps anchor you in reality.
3. Start your day with presence
Instead of reaching for your phone first thing in the morning, take a moment to stretch, do a body scan, or set an intention for the day ahead.
Create Boundaries with Technology
We spend a lot of time on our phones these days, often without realising how much time we’re losing. While technology is helpful, it can also be one of the hardest things to manage when trying to be present. This technique has probably created the most significant positive shift in my life.
4. Create phone-free moments
Set aside specific times to disconnect from screens, such as during meals, before bed, or while spending quality time with loved ones.
5. Be intentional with social media
Social media platforms can be fun but can also contribute to mind wandering. Follow accounts that inspire and uplift you rather than those that trigger negative thoughts.
6. Unplug in nature
Stepping outside, even briefly, helps reset your mental space and reconnect with the outside world. Try leaving your phone behind and focusing on your surroundings.
Find Joy in Simple Experiences
Slowing down and focusing on simple things in your daily routine allows you to fully experience life instead of rushing through it.
7. Savour simple moments
Enjoy everyday life by embracing small rituals, like drinking tea, journaling, or listening to music. These tiny moments can bring a deep sense of appreciation.
8. Eat without distractions
This might be a tricky one as we are always rushing our lunch to get back to work but mindful eating is a great way to practice being present. Instead of scrolling on your phone while eating, focus on your food’s taste, texture, and aroma.
9. Declutter your space
A calm environment leads to a clear mind. Setting aside time to declutter your space creates mental space for presence and peace. You know what they say, ‘tidy house, tidy mind’.
Deepen Your Relationships
Being present in your relationships leads to better connections and improved emotional health.
10. Check-in with yourself
Ask, “How am I feeling right now?” without judgment. This practice is a simple way to boost self-awareness and prevent mental health issues like anxiety and burnout.
11. Listen deeply to others
Active listening means giving your full attention to someone instead of thinking about what you’ll say next. It’s an easy way to build better relationships.
12. Practice gratitude
Writing in a gratitude journal regularly is a great way to shift your focus toward positive things instead of dwelling on negative thoughts.
Overcoming Challenges to Presence
When our minds constantly jump between the past and future, we experience anxious thoughts, stress, and regret. Practising present-moment awareness helps calm the nervous system and can be a powerful tool for reducing stress.
It’s human nature for our minds to wander. We think about different things at once, plan ahead, replay conversations, or scroll through social media without noticing how much time has passed. The challenge is to make a conscious effort to bring our focus back to the current moment.
Slowing down and noticing simple things like the sun’s warmth on your skin, a meaningful conversation, or the taste of a meal through mindful eating enhances your quality of life. Mindfulness experts often recommend techniques like deep breathing, body scans, or mindfulness bells to help bring awareness back to the present.
The first step is simply noticing when your mind drifts and gently guiding your focus back. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about practising presence daily.
Practice, Not Perfection
Being present doesn’t mean you ignore the outside world or stop planning for the future. It means you experience life with greater awareness, leading to a more peaceful, happy life.
The most important thing to remember is that mindfulness is a practice you improve over time. Every single day is an opportunity to engage more fully with life.
So, next time you find yourself lost in thoughts about past mistakes or stressing about future events, take a deep breath, look around, and remind yourself that this moment is the only one that truly exists.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. What’s one way you can be more present today? Share your thoughts in the comments!
