5 Ways to Practice Being Present

Did this week feel drastically different than the last few or is it just me? Last weekend felt leisurely, possibly due to the gloomy weather. I disconnected from social media for majority of the weekend and soaked up quality time with my husband and our son. We stayed home, played toddler games, sang songs, learned the “Tootsie Slide” by Drake, binge watched Ozark, ordered pizza, and learned how to make moscow mules. We did everything we WANTED to do and it felt good! Fast forward to Monday, and I remembered what it felt like to have time escape me. But then, Tuesday came, and things slowed down again. In a good way! Iintentionally limited my social media engagement and again, it FELT GOOD!

I try to be intentional about being present but there was something about this week that presence seemed more miraculous and heightened in value (as if it already wasn’t). Was this your reality too or was it just me? So much has taken place since the global pandemic, COVID-19. Like most, I find it important to reconnect with self and your people during this time. We just never know what someone is going through or in need of until we ask, until we are present, or until we lend a listening ear. Also we sometimes don’t realize what we have been missing until we pause and reconnect. Ya know? If not, find time to be present! Whatever that may look like to you, you owe it to yourself and to your people.

Some ways I practiced being present this week were:

1. Eliminate phone distractions: One way I applied this was by parting ways with my cell phone. For instance, we just transformed one of our rooms into a temporary game room for our son so we have been spending a lot of time in there. The times we did I left my phone charging downstairs while we were upstairs. If you know me then you know that my phone is usually on less than 10% of battery. Progress people, progress lol. Anyways, it made all the difference as I was able to be present without any distractions.
2. Devote time to respond to text messages, phone calls, emails, and voicemails: Family and friends outside of our household are special and mean everything to us so they deserve attention too! However, it can become overwhelming when text messages, missed FaceTime calls, and missed phone calls pile up. I tended to these matters when our son was asleep and/or my husband was handling business responsibilities. Keeping in touch with everyone has been slightly easier since stay home orders took place. I am sure we can all appreciate that.
3. Self-Care: Being present with oneself can look different for everyone. This week it meant self-care to me. I have been lazy with flossing my teeth and by that I mean only flossing once daily. Typically, I floss 3 times per day. But for whatever reason I began slacking. Now, my 6 month cleaning is scheduled for July but COVID-19 has been calling bold shots so I must maintain the work that was put in a few months ago. I also caught up on a couple of podcasts and a book I am currently reading titled, “Such a Fun Age“.
4. Create/Revamp Routines: This is an ongoing thing in our household as my husband and I both work in the medical field with very distinct work schedules. And have I mentioned we have a 1 year old? I think that alone explains it! Anyways, as we all have witnessed over the past weeks, life has it own way of doing things and we’re just here to cooperate and adjust. So, routines here are only consistent for so long. There’s also always room for improvement. I have been trying to use this time of less obligations to be present with matters that can improve our household. I find myself carefully assessing how certain things affect us. For instance clutter. It’s almost inevitable with a kid. But I find it less bothersome when it’s handled before going to bed and/or immediately upon awakening. Its just too draining to do frequently throughout the day. I rather wake up and go to bed knowing my house is clean. It’s been working!
5. Do something you have been longing to do : I have a list of tasks and projects that I plan to achieve by the end of this year. Although April just began, its only a matter time before another month has gone by. And just like that our goal list is steady piling up. Today, I knocked off 3 of mine! You jump the highest hurdle when you just start! Before you know it, you’re finished !

A lot of pressure, distractions, disappointments, and unknowns are cycling during this global pandemic. We must not let ourselves be dismayed by these circumstances. We have to take control of the things we can and make peace with the things we cannot. Otherwise, we lose ourselves. I hope this was a satisfying and uplifting read for you all. Have a great weekend!