Get Out of Your Mind and Live in the Present

Get Out of Your Mind and Live in the Present

Last update: 02 September, 2020

Do you live in your mind or in the present? Although this question might seem strange, we end up missing out on what’s most important, the here and now, due to the fact that we dwell on the past and the future. Most of us live on autopilot, between yesterday and tomorrow, between what’s pending and what’ll happen in the future.

Living in our mind imprisoned by worries and expectations creates discomfort because we depend on our thoughts. That’s why we feel alone when we come across the reality of our existence. The problem is that there are no magic formulas that allow us to solve everything quickly. The secret to really start living lies in these simple words: get out of your mind.

To understand this deep message, we can consider our mind one of our comfort zones. In other words, our mind is the string of thoughts that we collect and keep us from becoming aware of the present. It’s t hat mental noise that distracts us from every moment and forces us to live in the past or the future.

Get out of your mind with the help of mindfulness

One of the most recommended methods that can help us get out of our mental prison is mindfulness. Now, this practice doesn’t consist of sitting down, staying still, and emptying your mind. In fact, by now you’ve probably tried something similar and thought it was useless.

People who haven’t mastered mindfulness might feel their thoughts piling up. These thoughts are confusing and scream, “Fool! You can’t stop thinking!” This is what usually happens when you begin to practice mindfulness. The truth of the matter is that we’re not used to letting our thoughts flow naturally through our mind without judging or storing them.

A woman thinking about mindfulness.

Although it’s somewhat complicated to achieve, when we do we’ll finally understand what “get out of your mind” means. When you stop judging your thoughts and only observe them as if you were watching a movie, they stop influencing your reality and you have a clearer perspective. You start to see the truth.

“Being mindful means that we suspend judgment for a time, set aside our immediate goals for the future, and take in the present moment as it is rather than as we would like it to be.”

-Mark Williams-

Live in the present

When was the last time you took a moment to simply enjoy breathing in some fresh air? Do you remember being grateful for the hot water you shower with every morning? Surely not, because your mind is always thinking “I’m late for work…”, “I have to go pick up the children…”, or “What do I still need to buy?”

Your mind is full of thoughts about the past and the future. However, we ignore the present in a rather blatant way. You  create stress with your thoughts. Your mental activity creates many of the problems you have. None of that is real. You’ll live in your imagination until you focus on the present.

A woman practicing mindfulness.

Thus, you need to get out of your mind quickly! Give yourself a moment to clear out those thoughts that aren’t allowing you to enjoy your life and make you feel discomforting emotions.

It’s like when we feel fear or anxiety for no reason. Is there actually something we have to run away or escape from? No! But in our mind, we piece together a movie and we believe it so much that we consider it real.

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do, and mostly Live.”

-Dalai Lama XIV-

Therefore, get out of your mind and dare to live. Wait for things to happen before getting ahead of them. Stop thinking about the past. Don’t make the past your present because it’s not a part of this moment. Be grateful for each day.

Be aware of every moment of your existence, even when you’re working. Do you notice how your fingers touch the keyboard? How your legs support you and allow you to go from one place to another? Connect with your life, connect with yourself, and get out of your mind once and for all.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.