Life can feel like a ticking clock, waiting for the next big thing to happen. We tell ourselves life will begin once we graduate, after we get the job, and once everything is figured out. We spend so much time anticipating the future that we forget to live in the present.
Just getting through the days
According to research, young adults tend to be more future-oriented. Psychologists suggest this happens because early adulthood brings a lot of uncertainty and pressure to build a successful future. This causes many people to constantly plan for the future rather than fully enjoying their present life.
Social media pushes that pressure further because influencers’ lives are put on display, and we see all of their success and see them traveling the world. We think our lives are supposed to look like this, too.
Because of this, your current life may feel temporary, as you wait for your “real life” to begin. Daily routines of going to school, working shifts, running errands, or cleaning can feel repetitive and emotionally disconnect us from our lives, with days blurring together.
Living for the next milestone
Life always has something waiting ahead. There is always another milestone or achievement to look forward to that we tell ourselves will be more exciting than the life we are living right now.
Many of us move through life thinking happiness exists after the next accomplishment. We tell ourselves we will finally be able to relax after finals week, or we will feel fulfilled once we move out of our hometown.
It is common to have this mindset, and even exciting plans become a milestone. For example, if you have a trip planned for July, you may rush through March, April, and June just to get to that one trip because you know you will feel happy then. Those months in between become a countdown instead of part of your life.
This is something I am guilty of. Especially with the stress of school, I always look forward to graduating and moving on with my life. I forget that this is still a very important part of my life, and I should be mindful of it.
There is nothing wrong with having goals or looking forward to the future, but you do not want to get so caught up in what is to come that you will forget what is happening now.
“Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now.”
– Eckhart Tolle
Life is not just highlights.
A meaningful life is made up of so many small moments outside of big goals. Life happens in ordinary moments that do not seem important while they are happening.
Social media makes life look like a collection of highlight reels with trips, relationships, graduations, promotions, and picture-perfect routines. When we see this, the in-between moments can feel insignificant.
Some of your best memories can be of those small moments. Maybe it is that late-night drive with your friend or laughing with coworkers during your shift. Those moments may not be exciting enough to post online, but they are still important pieces of life.
If you only value major accomplishments and events, everyday life can start to feel empty.
Most of our lives will be spent in the ordinary moments, and it is important to learn to be mindful of them; otherwise, life will unfold around us, and we will miss it.
Whistle while you work
I recently came across a TikTok of Influencer Carly Howard explaining the concept of whistling while you work. She explains that this means making mindful changes to enjoy daily routines.
“What if your life isn’t the vacation, or the big moment, or the end goal. What if it’s the random Tuesday where you’re folding your laundry.”
-Carly Howard
She says when cleaning your room, instead of choosing to be annoyed for an hour of your life, you can put on some music, open a window, move more slowly, and just enjoy the reset.
Romanticizing moments like those helps you to be more connected with the present.
We can introduce this concept to almost any part of our day. If you are unhappy about going to work, you can put on your favorite playlist during the drive and maybe grab a coffee you love. When you study, you can change up your environment by studying outside or in a cafe.
Whistling while you work is just a change of mindset to feel more content with your daily routines.
I also saw a TikTok explaining the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which can be described as mindfulness in action. It means “a reason for being.”
It blends the ideas of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for. The concept focuses on daily meaning instead of big success to live a fulfilled life.
Ikigai pushes the idea that someone’s purpose in life can consist of small routines and hobbies. In theory, if you find what you love doing and can benefit the world and yourself, you will live a fulfilled life, no matter how small it may seem to others.
Purpose is not always dramatic or life-changing.
This concept aligns with mindfulness because both focus on the life you are actively living, rather than the one you are chasing. Slowing down to appreciate the smaller moments and routines helps life feel more intentional.
How to be present
Being present requires a mindset shift. Think of it this way. Our minds focus on 3 things: the past, the present, and the future.
When we think of the past, we get stuck replaying bad memories and wishing we had done or said something different. Sometimes we get upset about things others did to us. We can not change anything that has already happened.
For the sake of your mental health, try to learn from what went wrong and move on.
Similarly, when we think of the future, we still can not control what will happen. We can only do things that will change the future in ways we can not anticipate. We spend so much time worrying about what we need to get done or what might happen.
The present is different because it is the only moment we can actually experience and influence in real time.
“As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease. When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care, and love—even the most simple action.”
-Eckhart Tolle
So how do we actually focus on the present?
There are countless ways, but here are a few to get you started:
Take a break from your phone
One of the biggest distractions from life is technology. We use it to escape and dive into others’ lives so we are not as focused on our own. Spending less time on your phone can help you reconnect with your own experiences.
Maybe try eating without scrolling through social media. Instead, sit outside and enjoy nature. When you are with your friends, try to check your phone less. You may be surprised how much of a difference it can make.
Romanticize small routines
Romanticizing your life is a great way to enjoy small moments. This means to treat your life like it is cinematic and to think in idealized ways.
Create a routine you love. Open a window while you clean, light a candle while studying, or listen to music while grocery shopping. These small details can make your routine feel more intentional.
Slow down
Many of us are in a constant state of urgency. We rush to get to the next thing. While we eat, we’re thinking of cleaning, while cleaning, we’re thinking about work, while we work, we’re thinking of relaxing, and so on.
Living in this mindset can feel like an endless cycle of moments you are trying to get through instead of living them.
Try to slow down when moving through your day.
For example, as annoying as traffic can be, try to enjoy your drive home at the end of a long day. Do not focus on rushing to get home, but listen to the music on the radio and enjoy the way the sun is setting.
Life is happening now
At the end of the day, maybe we do not need to change much. Maybe we just need to stop moving through every day on autopilot, long enough to enjoy and experience what is going on around us.
Learning to be present and mindful can change your life. You start to slow down and experience life in a new light. When we stop constantly chasing the future or getting stuck in the past, we begin to find beauty in everyday moments.
Life does not start when you reach your big goal or achievement; life is happening now.
Sabrina Heard
May 26, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Well said. I am always trying to get ahead that I forget the dash.