The Art of Being Present in a World That Never Stops Scrolling
"Do you remember your destination but not the journey?"
It happens all too often than we know.
You get into the metro, check out your phone, reply to some messages, see a few videos, and boom, it’s time to get off.
Or it could be when you settle down to have dinner with your family, people say a few words, someone watches a video, and the dinner ends in no time.
The funny thing is, nothing went wrong there.
They simply didn’t notice those moments.
Somehow, amid trying to complete the previous task and getting ready for the next, we have got really good at filling up all our silent moments. Waiting for a cup of coffee? Scroll. Queuing up somewhere? Scroll. In a cab? Scroll.
We have been so busy recording our lives that we forget to live them sometimes.
Presence doesn’t mean abandoning all our technological devices and going to the mountains for a digital detoxification.
It means being aware of our life that is happening right here and now.
Your Morning Needn't Start with a To-Do List
Before the emails, meetings, and messages drown you, your morning gives you some time just for yourself.
Look out the window and feel the fresh air. Enjoy your hot tea instead of gulping it down. Watch your surroundings waking up. Listen to the chirping of the birds before they are drowned by the noise of the traffic.
These aren’t life-changing routines.
They are just simple reminders that your day needn’t start in a hurry.
Don’t Hoard Your Happiness for the Weekends Only
We tend to think that happiness will come once Friday rolls around.
Happiness is just a step away after the next holiday comes.
Once I get the promotion, I’ll live.
Life doesn’t end on vacations.
Life is found on those ordinary Tuesdays.
Life is found in purchasing flowers from the street vendor.
Life is found in laughing with the chaiwala, who knows your order.
Life is found in watching children playing cricket in the evening.
Restore the Quality Time That Does Not Require Any Reason
Not every interaction between family members has to take place during birthday dinners or some festivals.
There can be some of the most memorable chats during chopping vegetables, ironing clothes, having fruit post-meal, and relaxing on the balcony when it is nice out there.
People tend to forget about the costly activities after years but remember the simple evenings that were filled with laughter.
Presence is not counted in hours.
Presence is counted in attention.
Engage in One Activity That Requires No Productivity from You
There are many activities nowadays that require us to improve ourselves.
Read more books.
Develop some new skills.
Do some side hustles.
Become a better version of yourself.
But what if you engaged in an activity just for the fun of it?
Make a cake.
Draw poorly.
Take care of your plants.
Write in a journal.
Solve crosswords.
Listen to old music.
This Week, Try the "10-Minute Rule"
Just for 10 minutes each day, select an activity and focus on it completely.
This can be anything like:
Drinking tea in the morning without hurrying.
Reading a chapter from a book.
- Walking in your neighbourhood.
- Helping your parents while making dinner.
- Playing with your pet.
- Watering your plants.
- Seeing the sunset from your balcony.
- Calling your grandparents to know how their day went.
Not using any timekeeper.
Not setting any targets.
Not trying to achieve anything productive.
Just 10 minutes dedicated to yourself.
Seen On Scroll Take
As we reflect on our lives, we seldom recall the reel of movies we saw during lunch or the notifications we answered in line.
Instead, we recall evenings spent discussing under the rains.
Dinners in the family lasting longer than expected.
Smell of tea on Sundays in the quiet mornings.
The joy of seeing the first rain clouds.
The neighbor greeting us every evening.
Life was always about everyday moments.
The only thing that differed is our presence in those moments.