In order to improve your life, sometimes you first need to evaluate your life. With that in mind, how’s it going?
In life, it is easy to get caught up worrying about the future. In particular, at this moment in time, the future is very uncertain.
For instance, there is an important election coming up. What will happen if my side wins, and what if they lose? There are also other existential threats, from A.I. to climate change to global conflicts.
There are also more personal level concerns. Maybe you are worried about the future of your job, or your kids, or your health, or something else entirely.
You might also be obsessive about the past, even if you can’t do anything about it. A contentious conversation may play over and over in your head. Or you may have regret over a mistake you made, or a snarky comment you said in passing.
To prevent these unhelpful thoughts, it might help to take stock of your current situation. In this moment, right now, how do you feel? Why do you feel that way? Does it make sense? Is it helpful, and is it productive?
Knowing your present state might help you to calm down. However, being aware of your inner state, your thoughts and feelings, is absolutely crucial to your future self. In order to become the person you want to be, you need to know who you are first.
This is a skill that not many people develop. The ability to think about yourself, to evaluate why you say what you say and act the way you do is difficult. It is also valuable, both to yourself as well as to the people around you.
In addition to this introspection, we also are checking in on our readers. With that in mind: How’s it going?
Related questions: How are we doing? What are you thinking about? How do you feel? How can we appreciate life more?