Episode 04: Living in the Present Moment

I've realized I often fail to live in the present.

Before we begin today, I want to ask you guys: Do you feel like you're truly present in your daily life? Out of 24 hours, how much time do you actually spend fully engaged in the moment, without distractions?

Lately, I noticed my attention span was short. My most frequent activity is mindlessly scrolling through social media, watching other people's highlight reels. This constant comparison of my life and others’ became toxic - I'd spiral into self-doubt, questioning why my life didn't seem as exciting, even wondering about my own worth. These negative thoughts became quicksand, and I was sinking fast.

So today, let's briefly talk about reclaiming presence.

When I recognized this pattern, my first step was quitting social media cold turkey. Beyond messaging friends, I stopped posting and scrolling entirely. Suddenly, my attention returned to myself. Now when I'm bored, I'll pick up a book instead of my phone.

Here's the hard truth: we think we control our devices, but really? They control us. Those algorithms know us scarily well, feeding us an endless stream of tailored content that drains our creativity and autonomy, turning us into puppets.

But here's what surprised me: When I read, write, or create content, I never feel tired - even after long workdays. These activities ground me in the present. So I intentionally carved out more "energy-boosting" moments: journaling before bed, reading during lunch breaks, writing at dusk.

So my suggestion is do small steps at first - maybe just one diary entry. Next day, two book pages plus journaling. Gradually, these fragments of focused time became addictive. Without forcing it, my screen time shrank while reading and reflection grew. Most importantly? My awareness sharpened. More often, I catch myself fully present - not dwelling on the past or agonizing over the future. That focused state is sth powerful.

The key? Don't force identical routines. Your version might be meditation, exercise, or singing. No rigid schedules needed. Once you taste that presence, you'll naturally crave more. That's the magic of building this habit.

Remember: Go gently. Some days you won't feel like doing anything - and that's okay. Our mere existence holds meaning. You are enough, exactly as you are.