Don't Let Your Future Hijack Your Present

You read that correctly, you can indeed put off living your life. I don’t know about you, maybe I’m the only one, but I get so wrapped up into my future and goals that I forget to be present. When I get into my hustle/grind mindset, nothing else matters. I spend so much time planning my life and coming up with strategies to get the things that I want, I forget that right now is still equally as important. Don’t get so wrapped up in what’s to come, that you forget to show up now. This can look like waiting to do something, until you get whatever you’re going after. This can also be waiting to wear an outfit until the perfect time and you never end up wearing it. This can even look like, not giving 100% to a situation/job/relationship etc. because you know it’s temporary. I know I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again, don’t get so laser focus on the future that you forget everything that’s happening right now. You are right where you’re supposed to be in this present moment, maximize that. Soak up everything you can from right where you are now, because I guarantee you it will be a lesson for your future. 

Many of you know I absolutely love going to the movies, I used to go every single week by myself, as self care. I stopped going once the pandemic happened and I haven’t really gotten back to it since. Every time I drive past a movie theater, I tell myself I’m going to get back to doing that, as soon as I hit my monthly savings goal. I always get my goal, and just set a new one without going back to the movies. I genuinely want to get back to it, but I keep putting it off. One day I asked myself, why are you putting off this $20 date for yourself that means so much to you? When I sat and thought about the answer, I didn’t have a valid reason. I was living in a endless loop of waiting to do something until the goal is achieved. This cycle is great in the beginning, but when you find yourself always waiting to hit the next goal, you wait forever. Another example is, I’m currently working this job that I have zero interest in. I’m just there for the money to build towards my own thing. Since I have no interest in it and know it’s not a forever thing, I tend to give it the bare minimum, if that. The reality is, I was given this job for a reason. It’s something God wants me to get out of it, so why not give it my all? On top of that, giving it my all is how I can show God I'm thankful with the opportunity. I'm not saying forget what my end goal is, but show up in every role, because it'll help in my own business. Don’t miss all that you have in the present, waiting to get to the next level. If the pandemic hasn’t taught you anything, it should have showed you how short life is and how important it is to be in the moment. Soak up the things that you can while you are here and every single stage of your life, because it is all a part of your journey. It’s really not about the destination, but rather the journey.

Sarah Jakes Roberts once said, “The idea of living with the end in mind, keeps us from maximizing our present.” It’s so easy to self sabotage what we have by being so anxious about the future. For me, I didn’t give my all to my job, because I knew in the end it wasn’t my career. Because I know that I want to live in the high-rise in a major city, I might miss out on all the moments that are happening now by being at home living with my family. It is great to set goals and plans for your life, but don’t let them hijack your present. Don’t get anxious about what’s coming that you stress yourself out and lose sight of right now. Maximize the person and season you are in right now. Also, make sure you take time to love on yourself in this season. Be present and happy with what you have. If you think that getting something else will make you happier, it won’t. I’m happy to say that I am back doing my weekly solo movie dates. I won’t allow me saving in planning for my future, to take over where I am right now. You have to have show yourself love and care right now. Every week, I get three dozen pink roses for self care. Originally, I wanted to get them delivered thru a florist, but financially I’m not there in my life. I get my pink roses from the supermarket, and it gives me the same feeling that flower deliveries give me. Maybe you can’t take yourself to a five-star restaurant, but don’t let that stop you from taking yourself out to eat. Stop and smell the roses, because you are right where you are meant to be. Stop waiting for the next thing to show up. Stop waiting for the next thing to give 100%. Stop waiting for the next thing to live life. Balance is about planning your future, while still living in the present.