Do you ever find yourself constantly thinking about the past or worrying about the future? We all do. We get so caught up in the what-ifs and the could-have-beens that we forget to live in the present moment. The truth is, your life is now.

It’s easy to say that we can only experience the present moment, but it’s much harder to actually do it. We get so caught up in our goals and plans for the future that we forget to enjoy the journey. We put off happiness and fulfillment, thinking that we’ll be able to enjoy life once we achieve our goals.

But the future is never guaranteed. We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or next week or next year. That’s why it’s so important to live in the now. Of course, we still need to plan for the future and work towards our goals, but we shouldn’t sacrifice our present happiness for the promise of a better tomorrow. Or for the happiness that we experience once we get that promotion. Spoiler alert: a new shiny object will appear and the happiness chase continues.

The fake superhero self of tomorrow

Another issue on that not is what I call the “The fake superhero self of tomorrow”.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our future selves will be more capable, more successful, more productive. We put off important tasks and procrastinate, thinking that we’ll be able to get everything done tomorrow. But the truth is, tomorrow’s self will be almost identical to today’s self. If we want to be successful in the future, we need to start taking action now.

You see, it again boils down to the now. Isn’t it crazy, our future is build by the actions we take now, I know, mind-blowing.

So, what can you do to start living in the present moment and yet build your future?

Start by being mindful, in other words, start noticing, and start to become aware. Pay attention to your surroundings, your thoughts, and your feelings. Don’t worry about the past or the future, at least not every second, only when it’s truly helpful, like when planning your upcoming week. Take time to appreciate the small things in life—a beautiful sunset, a good cup of coffee, a laugh with friends. But also notice and appreciate the moments when you are working on your dreams, when you are in flow writing this tweet or when you are creating that piece of art.

Remember, your life is now.

Don’t postpone happiness or fulfillment for some distant point in the future. Instead, seize the present moment and make the most of every day.

I know this may sound like a cliché, but it’s important to take this to heart. I myself was once caught up in the pursuit of success, constantly busy, studying towards a degree from one of the top universities and working to have enough money to buy stuff to impress people I don’t care about.

However, I later realized that the degree wasn’t what I truly wanted or needed.

Looking back, I believe that I could have come to this realization much earlier if I had taken a moment to pause and think about my actions, instead of being influenced by society and the “normal” path. It would have also been helpful to have had a mentor to guide me.

But that’s the past. At the time, it felt like the right thing to do, and so I did it. The essential thing now is to learn from our experiences and focus on making the most of almost every moment we have.

It’s also important to realize that we don’t have to live our lives according to society’s expectations or what we think we “should” be doing. Even if that means you are going to pursue a career for which your 4-year degree is useless. Let go of the story you told yourself. No matter your past actions, you don’t have to continue that path, even if it feels like you are supposed to.

We have the power to make our own choices and live a life that is true to ourselves. No, we not only have the power but the obligation to pursue what’s meaningful.

So, ask yourself: what do you really want in life? What brings you joy and fulfillment? It could be something as simple as spending time with loved ones, pursuing a hobby, or traveling to a new place. Don’t get distracted by the mass goals, be yourself.

Don’t wait for some distant future to start living the life you want. Start taking small steps toward your goals today. Even if it’s just taking a few minutes each day to do something that brings you joy, it will make a big difference in your overall happiness and well-being.

Again, since I cannot write it often enough, remember, your life is happening now!

Don’t let it pass you by while you wait for some future moment that may never come.

Embrace the present moment and make the most of it.

There might be no tomorrow.