Letters to Myself: Entry Seventeen
Prompt: Do I live more in the past, present, or future?
We all move through time differently. Some of us carry the weight of the past, replaying memories or lessons we can’t quite let go of. Others live for the future, planning, worrying, or dreaming about what’s next. And then there are the rare moments when we’re fully grounded in the present, taking life as it comes.
Lately, I’ve been asking myself: Where do I spend most of my time? In the past, present, or future? This reflection is my attempt to answer that question honestly.
Answer to the prompt:
The truth is, I think I live in all three. My mind often drifts between past events, future worries, and the reality of right now. Maybe that’s just the nature of being human, or maybe it’s the anxious part of me that’s been there since I was young. Thoughts come and go quickly, some good, some heavy.
But lately, I’ve been trying to live more fully in the present. Writing these reflections has been a big part of that. They let me honor the past, learn from it, and leave a trail for my future self to look back on. I know if I revisit this same question in a year or five, my perspective will be different. That’s the beauty of growth, we’re constantly turning over new soil in ourselves.
The past holds lessons, but it’s also where regret can linger. The future carries possibility, but it’s also where worry lives. The present, though, that’s where life actually happens. That’s where memories are made, where relationships deepen, and where I can choose how to show up today.
I’ve learned that living in the present doesn’t mean ignoring the past or future. It means balancing all three. My past self has left me tools, my future self motivates me to keep building, but my present self is the one actually living it.
There’s no way to predict what tomorrow will bring. None of us saw the last few years unfolding the way they did. And because of that, I’ve started to loosen my grip on control and fear. Fear steals joy before it even has a chance to happen.
So for me, “living in the present” means choosing to make today worth something, whether through small routines, meaningful conversations, or just noticing the little things around me. I don’t want to waste energy worrying about what hasn’t happened yet, or numbing myself over what I can’t change.
Tomorrow isn’t promised. But today is here, and I want to live it fully, unapologetically, and with as much grace as I can give.
This post is part of my "Letters to Myself" series — a weekly free-write blog where I explore personal growth, curiosity, and healing through simple prompts. Sometimes reflective, sometimes fun, but always real. Thank you for being here.
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Photo by Kyle Gare
