The Art of Living in the Moment

The present moment, the one and only moment we have consistently right in front of us, yet we seldom focus on it. Our minds could wander backward and forward all day long, dwelling on the past, fantasizing about the future, struggling to stay in the present. We would rather spend our lives indulging in constant scrolling on social media, placing others' lives on a pedestal and ignoring what is right in front of us. To our generation, it is more important to focus on what outfit will look best to post on social media or how much “better” our lives will look just as long as we post about it. We need to let others know we have friends, an acceptable social life and most importantly, we need to emphasize to others that we are "happy."

The vicious cycle of looming over the past, conceptualizing our future, subconsciously skipping over the present, rinse, and repeat, I believe, can be broken. Here are ways to counteract social media’s overwhelming grasp.

There is no single defining moment in life that gauges your happiness or success. To have claimed you “made it” in life is not a sudden epiphany you experience, but rather an accumulation of the small details. The little moments of joy when your roommate makes extra coffee for you in the morning or during your walk to class when you pass beautiful, vibrant flowers that cause you to stop and admire. Perhaps it's something as simple as listening to your favorite song that evokes that same, good feeling. These are the highs we should be holding on to, not the temporary highs we experience from social media. They are happening right now, in front of you, and are much more important than how many likes your recent Instagram post

received. In her book “101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think”, Brianna Wiest emphasizes the present as she writes, “You don’t remember years, you remember moments.” Immerse yourself in these moments and appreciate them for what they are, a living, passing moment that cannot be recreated.

The memories and experiences you gain from real-life moments are what make you, you. Consider your personal style. Chances are, your favorite clothing items in your closet did not come from an influencer’s Amazon storefront. They most likely came from somewhere special that is valuable and memorable to you. The fast-changing fashion trends on social media that you feel obligated to partake in will not give you a permanent feeling of happiness because well, they are rapidly changing. Rather than dressing according to trends, wear clothes that speak volumes about who you are and what you have accomplished so far.

That top you bought with your best friend at a thrift store holds meaning and memories. It has a story, and is, therefore, a part of you. It is something you experienced at the moment, giving it much more sentimental value than a top that is trending on social media.

Place less emphasis on how your life looks and more emphasis on how it feels. It is quite pointless to obsess over what outfits will look best in photos or who you will be with when planning a vacation. The point of a vacation is to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and that includes social media. So, bring clothes and accessories that will make you feel at ease; if you feel your best in sweatpants, pack your suitcase with those.

Ensure that you go on vacation with the right people for the right reasons, i.e., people who will let you be present, and not those you think might increase your social status if you post with them. In general, ensure you are going on vacation for the right reasons. The right reason might be to enjoy the tranquility of the beach and the calm breeze while watching the waves crash, making you say, "There is nothing better than this moment right now." In the event that you plan a vacation in order to prove something to anyone other than yourself, you might simply miss out on what the present moment has to offer. In the end, reliving joyful moments is more worthwhile than justifying your appearance or doing something our generation considers “cool.” Reading in solitude is cool too, even if you do not display it on social media.

Whether you are planning a vacation, facing a big event, or starting your day, acknowledge what is right in front of you. There is only one time, and that is the present. In the absence of living in it, you're not really living

Sources

Wiest, B. (2018). 101 Essays that Will change the way you think. Thought Catalog Books.

Written by Emily Slepsky

Copyedited by Mariana Mejia

Graphics by Sophie Difusco