Living in the now, what I realised in 2026...

Recently, I’ve been learning how much of my life I spend somewhere other than the present.

Thinking about what I should have done differently. Wondering what people think of me. Planning what I need to achieve next. Worrying about things that haven’t even happened.

I used to see a lot of this as ambition. I’ve always liked being bubbly, driven and someone people notice. Being successful made me feel respected, and being high-energy made me feel visible.

But I’ve started asking myself: how much of that drive was actually pressure?

There’s nothing wrong with ambition. I still want to grow, achieve and do well. But I’m realising that I don’t want anxiety to be the thing that fuels me.

Coming back to now

One idea has really stayed with me: deal with what is in front of you.

Not yesterday. Not next week. This moment.

When I catch myself overthinking, I’m practising three things:

Notice. Accept. Return.

Notice where my mind has gone.Accept that the thought is there instead of fighting it.Return my attention to what is actually happening now.

It sounds incredibly simple, but it’s changing how I experience my days.

My faith has also given this a deeper meaning.

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” — Matthew 6:34

I’m learning that planning for tomorrow and living mentally in tomorrow are two different things.

I can have goals without carrying the weight of my entire future today.

I can reflect on the past without living there.

I can work hard without needing achievement to prove my worth.

And I can trust God with what I cannot control.

I’m still figuring this out. I still overthink. I still catch myself worrying about how I’m perceived or what comes next.

But now I have a question that brings me back:

What is actually required of me in this moment?

One day. One task. One moment at a time.