Life’s More Fun When You’re Fully Present for It

When you’re bored, it’s easy to check out. We watch movies or listen to podcasts while cleaning. We mindlessly scroll through social media while waiting for more exciting things to happen. But if we’re not careful, we can scroll long enough that life starts passing us by. Even worse, we start to become bored with our normal lives and long for the lives we see depicted by those we follow on social media.

I do this. I scroll and grumble and think, “Look at that person stealing up all the fun and doing all the things while I’m not doing much. The thing is, I probably could do a lot more (or would notice how much I’m doing) if I didn’t check out and start scrolling when I felt a little bored.

Being fully present in life makes things way richer. I once saw a book about being more mindful when we’re doing the mundane. I’ve started an experiment. In addition to my already existing no-phones rule, except for taking pictures during kid events and when I’m out with friends rule, I’ve also tried to start single-tasking everything. No more TV shows in the background while I work, no more Podcasts while I’m cleaning or stitching. So far, believe it or not, it is making the ordinary more enjoyable. Once you get comfortable with a repetitive task like folding laundry, something happens – your mind quiets. I’m not saying it’s a perfect way to find joy, but it’s a start. Sitting on the floor and being fully present while my kids are playing around me allows me to really appreciate their imaginative play’s nuances – and complexity -.

So now I challenge you – what can you be more present for and take in? Share your thoughts in the comments below.