Your cart is currently empty!
Does My Fear of Missing Out Keep Me From Enjoying the Present Moment?
You ever have one of those days where everything feels like it’s spiraling out of control? Last Monday was one of those for me. I completely spaced that my son Jake had hockey practice scheduled, even though it was a holiday. So, in a frenzy, I had to push my mom’s dinner visit to the late afternoon. We were running late, and I was snappy, overwhelmed. By the time I finally got Jake into the car, with his hockey gear mostly (but not fully) on, I was on the verge of tears.
It’s wild how fast things can shift, right? Just the night before, we’d celebrated Jake’s birthday with a fantastic dinner at his favorite spot, a homemade triple chocolate cake (which required me to hit three different stores for the ingredients), and all his presents. Watching my family’s faces glow in the candlelight made me feel so calm and grateful. My little guy was turning eight.
But standing there by the rink, I was fighting back tears. It was freezing, and in my rush, I hadn’t grabbed a hat or gloves. I shoved my hands into my coat pockets and pressed my forehead against the chilly plexiglass. I watched Jake skate, and suddenly, I felt my breath quicken and a tightness in my chest. I was trying to juggle so many things at once, and it felt like I was failing at all of them. Honestly, I was just so tired.
I took a shaky breath, trying to push away the wave of sadness rising within me. Then, out of nowhere, Billy Joel popped into my head: “This is the time to remember, ’cause it will not last forever…” I shook my head, feeling both humbled and annoyed. I wanted so desperately to be present, but the pressure of that expectation weighed heavily on me. Was my constant anxiety about not being present actually keeping me from enjoying the moment?
I’m not sure. I think I was way less present before I started reflecting on this. But it definitely heightens my awareness of all the moments I wish I could savor but don’t. I looked at Jake, his little figure blurred by my tears. I yearn to fully embrace these years, to pay attention and soak it all in. Yet, there are days when I let my exhaustion or irritation cloud the beauty of this imperfect life. It breaks my heart when I think of all the moments I’ve already missed. I don’t even want to blink, fearing I might miss out on something else.
That night, all I could hear was this: “These are the days to hold onto, ‘cause we won’t although we’ll want to. This is the time, but time is going to change.”
Further Reading
If you’re looking for more on navigating the journey of parenthood, check out some of our other blog posts at this link. And if you’re interested in learning about home insemination, visit this page for expert insights. Also, this resource is great for everything related to pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own expectations and worries that we forget to truly enjoy the present. It’s a struggle many of us face as we navigate the chaotic yet precious moments of parenting. Remembering to pause and cherish those fleeting times can help alleviate the pressure we put on ourselves.