Alexa Babin

I’ve long been one of those people who wrestles with the feeling of running out of time. I often live beneath the pressure to make every moment count – to make it all mean something – and all too easily feel crushed by the weight of it.

I fluctuate between the idea that life is long, and life is short. I’ve experienced both to be true in my years so far. Depending on the day, I’m not totally sure which one to lean into. If I believe life is long and my years will be many, I can lighten my load and trust that there will be ample time for all I’ve yet to do. But if I believe life is short, I think I must squeeze all the juice out of each day as I possibly can… and that is a great undertaking.

Something in me is innately wired to want to experience as much as I can, but if I go too fast, I’m not as present in those experiences as I’d like. It’s the ultimate enjoyment dilemma. Experience more things and perhaps enjoy them less, or experience fewer things and perhaps have the capacity to enjoy them more. Tricky. What would you choose?

To suck the marrow from life – to really, truly enjoy the time you have to the fullest extent – requires the ability to remain present in the moment. Mentally, physically, spiritually. And I personally find that harder to do when there’s no buffer time, no margin, no time to sit in the experience and soak it in. Don’t get me wrong, there’s certainly a time and a place for fast-paced days. But I don’t want that kind of living to mark all my days.

So, making the most of my time, well, it’s harder than it sounds. In addition to living in the moment, think it requires some level of self-discipline not to squander the time that I have. Less wallowing, comparing, and indecisiveness. More savoring, noticing, and embracing. Not all my days and hours will feel good to me, but I believe they’re a gift all the same. I think it’s worth an attempt to treat them as such.

I once heard that living in the past leads to regret while living in the future leads to anxiety. We’re only designed to live in the present… so maybe there’s something to be said for existing in this moment, right here. Maybe that is the secret that will multiply the hours and enhance our enjoyment of them.

Relish in right now.

Feast on the moment you’re in.

Savor the slice of time allotted to you.

See what happens; see how time expands even as you spend it. And, of course, let me know how it goes!