The time I really tied my shoelace.

The Daily Habit For Doers

“Anxiety, the illness of our time, comes primarily from our inability to dwell in the present moment.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Yesterday, I tied my shoelaces.

Truly.

I didn't do it on autopilot. I took my time, focusing on each loop and knot as if it was the most important thing I was doing. 

And it felt oddly joyous. 

In that simple act, by being fully present, I discovered a small pocket of contentment. It was a reminder that sometimes, joy can be found in the most mundane tasks when we give them our full attention.

It made me wonder: why does being present bring about such contentment?

Our modern lives are perpetually chaotic. 

Our minds are bogged down by past regrets and future anxieties. 

This constant mental juggling act detaches us from reality, making us spectators in our own lives. We miss out on the actual experiences unfolding in front of us. 

Sipping a rare vintage wine in a chateau might as well be drinking grape juice from a box if you're not fully present. 

Being present, in contrast, allows us to fully engage with the task at hand, no matter how trivial it might seem. It makes us more attuned to the details, turning routine into a richer experience.

For me, it drowns any inner monologue or the "what ifs" that make me anxious. Suddenly, there's peace and clarity, even if it's just for a little while. 

Being in the present moment is undeniably beneficial, so why is it then not always intuitive or easy? 

I think…

Historically, humans are wired to anticipate and solve problems. This means we're often thinking ahead or learning from past experiences.

And on top of that, endless notifications (from work or social media) pull our attention in different directions. 

I also believe that our society often values "doing" over "being". Success is frequently defined by achievements, goals, and future aspirations rather than current contentment.

All these factors divert our minds away from the now.

My hope is that as more people experience the joys and benefits of being in the moment, there'll be a collective shift towards valuing presence over constant forward momentum. 

Here are some ideas on how you can practice being in the present

• Hands-on experience — Engage in activities where you mold or shape something with your hands, be it gardening, kneading dough, or sculpting clay. The sensation and the manual transformation process can improve present-moment awareness.

• Active listening — When someone's talking to you, make an effort to truly listen. Avoid thinking about your response or letting your mind wander. Focus solely on their words and the meaning behind them.

• Note-taking —  Carry a small notebook or use a note-taking app on your phone. Whenever you catch your mind wandering, jot down a brief note about where it went. This simple act of acknowledgment can help you redirect your attention to the present.

• Focused breathing — Dedicate 2-3 minutes during various times of the day to focus solely on your breathing. Feel the air enter your nostrils, fill your lungs, and then be expelled. This can act as an anchor to the present.

As you practice being in the present, remember that there will be moments when distractions will creep in. We're all humans after all. 

At times, we might even choose to be distracted, like listening to podcasts at the dentist's to forget about the upcoming root canal. 

But when you do that, it's a conscious choice you're making. It's a way to control your thoughts instead of letting your thoughts control you. 

While distractions can help occasionally, it's always best to default to being in the moment.

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