Recently I saw the question asked If all your expenses are paid and your troubles were gone, what would you do?” Answers vary from “I’d take a nap,” or “I’d spend time with family,” and so many more simple but reasonable responses that *news flash* YOU CAN DO TODAY!!! It is possible for many of us to live our dream life today but we allow ourselves so much anxiety and stress, we forget that we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. The only guarantee in life is the moments we are currently in and the fact that we will die someday. That. is. all.
Well if you are like me, you see comments or reasonable encouraging speeches like that and you nod (because facts) and also roll your eyes (because life happens). I think the question that we really want to ask ourselves is how do we want to proceed in this life? If tomorrow isn’t promised and the only moment we can count on is the one we are currently in then what do you want to spend your moments doing? If that isn’t sitting at a desk or staring at a computer screen (but you need your job) then what can that look like for you? Yea I’d love to visit my friends and family every day but that isn’t reality.
I argue that there are things you can, in fact, do to give you some reprieve from the daily grind. I dug deep in my self improvement resources, sought out the advice of friends, and thought of a few simple tangible ways you can enjoy your life without being unreasonable about it.
First of all, what is a mantra or saying that you can tell yourself to shift your perspective? Recently a friend of mine told me that sometimes when she is in the routine of life, she asks herself, “how can I make this fun?” She uses this thought or mantra to change her perspective, to help herself enjoy the moments she is in now. I have to tell you, this is one of my happiest friends and she truly does enjoy her life.
Second, if time with family is what you are looking for… what is a way you can reach out to them to let them know you are thinking of them and that they are loved by you. All we have control over is how we make people feel, that is what they will remember. I encourage you to text, call, mail them a ‘thinking of you’ card, comment a sweet message to them on social media, or get them a thoughtful gift. If you are lucky enough to live close to family, schedule a visit. I mean get it on your calendar and simply enjoy time together. It doesn’t have to be hard, you can enjoy your moments with the ones you love, even if you have to plan for them.
Third, ways to relax… I think if there is anything that the pandemic taught us, is that you don’t have to be everywhere at once and there is something to be said about taking a step back and focusing on yourself and your own mental and physical health. For those people who say they want to just “take a nap”, I encourage you to find ways to relax. Maybe that is listening to spa music on Spotify before bed (highly recommend), book a massage or acupuncture appointment, or find something that helps you sleep more restfully (melatonin, ha). But in all seriousness, I wish everyone the feeling of being refreshed and overflowing with energy. There are seasons that you will be more depleted than others and that is okay, find solace in the fact that you will be able to fully rest again.
There you have it. A few ways you can shift your perspective, connect with the ones you love, and ultimately relax so you can enjoy your life now, rather than later. Remember we are not guaranteed tomorrow but don’t let that make you sad, rather, let that propel you to a life worth enjoying.
The Salty Exchange 