Wherever You Go, There You Are

The one thing you're forgetting to do every day (Hint: It’s not on your To-Do list)

We live everywhere except the present. Isn’t it funny?

I find myself drifting into the past — thinking about decisions I made, things I said, things I should’ve said, or the ones I didn’t say at all.

Hours go by, sometimes.

Most of those memories? Not particularly warm and fuzzy.

Some of them are, sure.

At times I catch myself smiling, trying to relive those moments that have been forever frozen in the family & friends photo album.

But, more often than not, I’m lost in the future.

I’m mentally mapping out the next few years —

• Should I get another degree?

• Maybe buy a house?

• Do I want to get married?

The questions never stop.

And let’s not even get into the big existential ones:

Where’s the world headed? And more importantly, where will I be in all of it?

** Okay Sonali…snap out of it! **

Ever find yourself zoning out, staring at the ceiling fan, or watching a stranger in the grocery store queue while your mind is somewhere else entirely?

Yep, that’s me—a pro daydreamer, living either in a past that doesn’t exist anymore or in a future I’m too anxious about.

Here’s the thing: We keep planning for a future we forget to live in.

But what about the now?

Honestly?

Sometimes, the present scares me.

We were never really taught to live in the moment.

Remember school? It was always about prepping for the next exam, the next fest, the next project.

And now at work, it’s just a constant hop from one deadline to another milestone.

Even our leisure time feels like it’s being crunched into some box on a to-do list.

While all of this happens, life just passes us by.

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Here’s a thought: Today, right now, was once the future you dreamt about.

The life you have today is what you worked for, prayed for, or maybe just stumbled into.

And yet, we’re too busy thinking ahead to appreciate it.

So shouldn't we stop for a second, pause, and just be?

Just for a second. To breathe it all in?

I know I need to. I want to.

After all, every choice I made — right or wrong — has led me here. To this version of me. The version writing this and connecting with you.

Take a look around. What do you see? Where are you, right now?

Seriously. Could you describe your surroundings without looking? Can you picture the details?

I bet most of us can’t. Because we’re not here.

But this moment matters. You matter. Your thoughts, your breath, your presence — all of it counts, right now.

Life happens in the now, not in the ‘one day’ we’re always waiting for.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath.

Go ahead, do it with me: breathe in… breathe out.

Can you sense it filling your lungs?

Take a few more: 1… 2… 3… keep going… 4… 5.

Now open your eyes.

What do you notice around you?

The way the light filters through your window, maybe? The scent of your coffee, the soft hum of the fan? Even the lines on your palms — have you noticed them recently?

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Take another breath. And another. Did that feel good?

When was the last time you truly felt alive in the present?

When your mind wasn’t chasing the next deadline, the next email, the next ‘what if’?

Maybe it was a weekend road trip with friends, windows down, music blasting.

Or that Sunday afternoon when you lost track of time reading a book, with no urgency to be anywhere.

Maybe it was a lazy walk in the park with your dog, just soaking in the sun.

We get so caught up in the ‘next thing’ that we forget to just exist.

Remember: Life slips through our fingers faster than we realize.

Think back to your childhood.

Wasn’t it just a blink ago that you were walking out of school, saying goodbye to your best friends, promising to stay in touch?

And what about your parents — were they just as they are now? Or maybe they were a little younger, a little different…but you can’t pinpoint when it happened, can you?

And you?

When was the last time you really looked at yourself? Not for fixing your hair or to apply sunscreen — just to see yourself.

To notice where you are, what and who you’ve become.

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The present isn’t a pause between the past and the future. It’s where life happens.

So, how do we ground ourselves? How do we learn to live now?

Here’s what I’ve learned — it takes practice.

A Guide to Staying in the Now: PRESENT

1. Pause and breathe.
   Catch yourself when you start drifting into the past or future. Just stop for a second and take a deep breath. It’s like hitting a reset button. Feel your breath. That’s where life is.

2. Reach out to someone.
   Whether it’s calling a friend or grabbing a coffee with a colleague, connect with people. There’s nothing more grounding than a conversation where you’re truly there, listening and sharing.

3. Enjoy the little things.
   Take a moment to savor small joys — like the smell of fresh bread, the warmth of a blanket, or the feeling of the sun on your face. “The magic of life is often hidden in the simplest of moments.”

4. Simplify.
   We multitask too much. Try doing one thing at a time. When you focus on the task at hand, you bring your attention into the present. Whether it’s writing an email or cooking dinner, be fully in it.

5. Engage your senses.
   Get out of your head and into your body. Notice the sounds, smells, tastes, and textures around you. Grounding yourself in sensory experiences can help pull you back into the now.

6. Notice your thoughts without judgment.
   It’s easy to spiral into overthinking. When that happens, don’t try to stop the thoughts, just observe them. Let them come and go like waves. It’s okay to drift, as long as you gently bring yourself back.

7. Take time for yourself.
   Whether it’s journaling, meditating, or simply sitting in silence, carve out moments just for you.

"The present doesn’t ask for perfection—it just asks for your attention."

Wherever you go, there you are. And that’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.

But being present is a choice we have to make daily. It's a practice that takes time, but it’s one of the most valuable habits we can build.

Because this? This moment — right now — it’s your life.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I'm Sonali, and I speak for a living. From one of the quietest kids in class, I've found my voice as a Speaker, Author, and Coach.

I've reached over 100,000 viewers on Josh Talks and spoken at various business events and universities. I've also co-authored two books. I'm currently working on my first solo book about overcoming insecurities.

As a LinkedIn Top Voice in Public Speaking, I'm here to help you level up your presentation skills—sign up for my waiting list through this link.

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