Living in the moment
I recently went on a road trip; a big one! From Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast. That’s over 1700 kilometres. And we did it all the way without music and without listening to other people talking. This was not something we planned to do but it was such a great opportunity to just BE and to think, but mostly just to be in the moment without distraction.
As I have a business, I checked a few times per day to see if I had emails requiring a response and similarly with my social media accounts (I pride myself on being client focused so I didn’t want anyone left hanging). Other than these few things I had no digital distraction and I watched no television. I ate as well as I could manage to on the road, drank no alcohol for over a week (and then only a little) and honestly I haven’t felt that relaxed in a very long time.
Living in the moment was of great benefit to me. To have my mind clear of what is mostly blatant advertising of rubbish product and annoying jittery images on social media these days was so liberating and such a relief. There is of course lots of research to support the fact that we feel and think better without digital distraction but I can now add my experience to that.
I chose not to wear makeup most days I was away so that also contributed to living in the moment. Regarding outfits, I barely needed to think. I was fortunate to be able to throw lots of things into a large suitcase because there was space for that in the back of the ute we travelled in. This was nothing like the disciplined approach I took to travelling to Europe last year (if you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know I survived just with carry on for five and a half weeks!).
Because I only have clothing that is congruent with my colour palette, everything co-ordinates so easily (and no, it is not limiting as I have around 50 colours to choose from as you do if you have a colour analysis with me).
I also know exactly the clothing styles that create the silhouettes I like to wear for my shape so everything I threw into my case was comfortable both physically and emotionally for me. The only decisions I needed to make prior to the trip were around the refinement level (formality) and how I wanted to present.
I knew I had a couple of dancing dates on the itinerary and dinners at a couple of nice restaurants so I allowed for that. Otherwise everything I took was casual and everything was easy care and in natural fibres except for a couple of UPF tops (I’m a melanoma survivor so I need to be extra cautious).
Sadly, on our last evening away we were having dinner with some family members when we heard about the tragic shootings on Bondi beach in Sydney. We were less than 10 kilometres from the attacks as they were happening so it felt very real to us. I know what it is to watch tragedy unfold at close range so my heart goes out to all those impacted.
I’ve also had the honour of meeting people who know they won’t become old. These people live life differently, making the most of every day, living in the moment. And this is my message to you; enjoy the person you are now, treat yourself occasionally, don’t wish your life away and don’t regret the years that have past. Live in the moment and become the person you’ve always wanted to be.
As a cherished friend of mine used to say when they were alive “Life is not a dress rehearsal”. Don’t put all your eggs into the future basket. Here, now; this is all we have. Be present and enjoy the now.
If you’d like assistance to refresh your style for the person you are NOW, this may be helpful and so might this.
Coolangatta beach