Is There A Storm On The Horizon?: STOP It!

I love rain storms, thunderstorms, snow storms, blizzard, even a tornado watch…maybe. But, these types of storms aren’t what I’m talking about. I’m talking about that overpowering feeling of doom and dread. Do you ever feel like life is getting heavier and heavier, and the world is going to fall all around you like one of those funny cartoon avalanches? But that feeling isn’t funny. It leads to stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety lead to bad sleep, poor eating habits, weight gain or loss, etc. So, how do we stop that feeling of impending doom?

By living in the moment!

We hear this all the time, but it really is true. If you simply live in this very moment – not for what could be, and not for what should or would have been – you are here. Right here, where all those “what-ifs” and “should-haves” can’t touch you. They can’t hurt you.

Kate Cocker (the host of the podcast, Everyday Positivity) has an amazing saying that goes a little something like this:

“Stop Should-ing On Yourself!”

What a great saying. We get stuck so often shoulding on ourselves. “I should’ve done this.” I should’ve said that.” You can’t go back in time, so STOP the should-haves!

And STOP the what-ifs! It’s true: prices may go up even more, the war we are in now may go on for a long time, a new war may start, you or someone you love may get sick, or you could lose your job. But STOP! Just do the very best you can at each moment. Living in the here and now takes practice. We are wired to worry so we can prepare – you know, that whole fight-or-flight scenario. There is nothing wrong with that, but worrying about things out of our control, or things that may never happen, is one of the most unhealthy practices we need to overcome.

“Stop What If-ing on yourself!”

The next time you feel that impending storm drifting up on your horizon, STOP and think of the bee in the image above. That bee sees an actual storm coming – not the imagined storms we conjure up. Put yourself into the here and now. Think of only what you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. It takes a lot of practice, and you will have to “pull” yourself back to the present. But you will be amazed at how many more memories you will make, and how time stops flying by. The best times to practice the here and now are when you are with others – especially your kids, the older ones in your life, and your pets. Hang on to these loved ones as much as you can. Practicing living in the moment is the best way to do just that!

So, take a deep breath. Let go of the “what-ifs” of tomorrow and the “should-haves” of yesterday. Ground yourself in this exact micro-moment, because it’s the only one we truly have. As Kate would say, “You 100% got this!” One present moment at a time.