Eckhart Tolle has a concept I really like called psychological time.
Psychological time isn’t fun. That’s when you spend your time asking, “What could I have done differently?”
Psychological time is where you make comparisons. You blame. You dwell. You question your behavior and life choices.
You rehash old conversations endlessly, coming up with the perfect retort to that one irritating guy.
Basically, you’re in your head.
Invest in enough psychological time and you might end up in a thought spiral. Not good!
The alternative is being present. Here, in the now, in your new reality.
Thinking too much about the past creates sadness, anger, and despair.
Thinking too much about the future leads to worry and anxiety.
The future hasn’t happened yet, and the past is over, but you might be dwelling there. Marinating in it like chicken in barbecue sauce.
One day, we will all be dead. But today, we are on earth, having a human experience.
And the human experience is kind of like a playground.
You get to make things, interact with people, and go on adventures.
Cool.
Your job is not to lament what has passed.
Instead, you get to choose what’s next. You get to create your future.
If the past is dead and gone, then what would you like to create next?
What would be fun for you?
What do you want to experience?
What would make you feel the way you want to feel?
This week, try to catch yourself when you’re investing in psychological time, instead of being present.
When you experience worry, fear and anxiety, it’s a good indicator that you’re not present – that you’re somewhere other than here and now.
This week, pay attention.