Planning vs. the present

I’ve noticed that since beginning my recovery journey this January, I’ve become a lot less obsessed with planning…

As a consequence of reminding myself “One day at a time”, I started to think less about the future.

Thinking about the future used to be one of my favourite activities. Wondering, what will my life be like when I started this new job? When the season changes? During an upcoming trip? When I’m 35?

I didn’t really notice how my thinking had shifted until recently… when people started asking me questions, such as “Are you excited about your new job?” “How do you feel about graduating?” “Are you nervous about your big trip?”

And my answer was simply, you know what, I haven’t really thought about it. And it’s true, I know that certain changes are coming, and I’ll think about them a little, but I stop myself.. I shift my attention back to what am I doing today?

Of course planning can be practical. For example, I’m going on a 6-week trip to Europe with my sister next Wednesday. This obviously requires some planning, but even then, I just focus on “What do I need to do today?”

I feel more at peace when I focus on the present. The future isn’t here yet, so why waste my day thinking or worrying about it..

Have you noticed a shift to being more present as a result of taking your sobriety one day a time?