We watch the clock tick, time change, waiting. Waiting for whats next, the next year, the next day, or even the next season. But what exactly are we waiting for? Are you waiting for a new job, a proposal, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or are you just waiting for something new? Whatever it is that you may be waiting for I’m sure the words “I cant wait till” have slipped a time or two.
I find it easy to just dwell on what your waiting to happen and forget that right now is going on. I know that we anticipate what will happen next, especially if where we are right now doesn't seem great. But as we wait for what is next we miss all the wonderful things around us. We miss our friends and the good and bad times they are going through, we miss our family and just those beautiful moments with them, we miss just the small things that are going on in our lives and how we are growing into someone amazing.
Our I cant wait till mentality has pushed us to look and compare our lives to the ones around us and feel horrible for where we are. We see everyone “doing better” and we think of all the things that we are not doing or don’t have to be as “great” as they are. But what if where you are right now is where you are supposed to be to get you to the next great for your life? What if we are putting ourself on a time clock that does not even exist? How do we push through the I can’t wait? And how do we know if what we are even waiting for is our great?
Unfortunately we don't know. We don't have all the answers to where or why we are where we are. The only thing that can get us out of the I cant wait mentality is to focus on where we are right now and how to make it better. If you don't like the job you're at and you have valid reasons to leave then leave. Valid reasons being the drive is too long and you're spending more money on gas than you get paid. Not valid being I'm not valued, getting paid enough, or I'm bored. If you're single and it sucks, what is your friend group like? Do they push you to enjoy your singleness or remind you of how sucky being single is? Detoxing your friend group is a great way to enjoy where you are and better yourself. Are you dating and expecting him to propose? Are you married and hoping for a child? All of these things are real life situations and many times what everyone longs for. As humans we long to be noticed at our jobs, have a relationship that leads to marriage, and one day even have children but we have to take into account that all of these things will happen in time.
Now I'm not saying the I cant wait mentality is horrible but what I am saying is if you stay there it can be a danger to your mental health. If you put the I cant wait till before everything you will be constantly waiting for what may or may not come next. You begin to plan for things to happen, come up with thought out conversations, and end up broken when whatever it was you were waiting for to happen never does (in the time you wanted). Mental health has become one of the biggest better self goals for 2019 but still has not changed. Stay off social media, detox your brain of the I can’t wait till mentality and live in the now.
How do you live in the now? Wake up with the strength you are given and just live for that day, say yes to something you normally will say no to (as long as it stays within your morals), and just live and enjoy the day. Living in the moment has become one of the most hardest things, because we get the urge to post what we are doing to show those who couldn't be there. Put the phone down live in it and talk about those moments to people who want to hear about the good day you had, even if it was a bad day share that with them as well, we all need someone to express it all to without judgement so find that person. Another great way to live in the now for me is journaling. It has become one of the best things for me. I get to express my pain, my happiness, and all the in-between in those pages. Prayer is huge if you believe in God, or if you don’t believe in him but you still pray PRAY. But above it all, have a healthy diet and get as much sunlight as you possibly can. Some times we do not realize that our diets and sitting in the house all day play a role in our emotions. When you're sitting alone at home you are most likely looking at the lives or others in some way wether its Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook for you older ones, or even reality TV. You are feeding your brain all the things you don’t have and your heart begins to long for these things that it feels its missing. Pick up a book, non-fiction that way you're gaining knowledge and not feeding your brain romance (yikes, you'll just feel sorry for benign single again).
I can’t wait till I learn to enjoy each day as if it was my last. As great as my life appears to be I deal with things as well. I spend a lot of time in the waiting just like everyone else. I know it is a process and I know I still might find myself day dreaming of having an amazing family and a super dorky husband but I am learning each day that it will happen when its supposed to if it is even supposed to. Will I be bummed if it doesn't maybe maybe not, but will I learn to enjoy the little things as if they were big things yes. Will I spend less time on social media ahhh probably not just because I do enjoy insta (killing my heart slowly). But I am learning as my life goes on to just keep trusting in Him and living how I’m called to live. So good luck with your journey. Know that you're not alone and that many people can't wait to see what is next but you cant see the next till you see the now for what it is.