The Magic in For Now

For now. Two words that have changed the way I approach life. Two words that have changed the way I make decisions. Two words that have made a positive impact on my mental health and allow me to move forward in life with more ease.

You may have heard of The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Its premise is all about the power of living in the now, and that every minute you spend worrying about the future or regretting the past is a minute lost. I love this way of looking at life and often centre myself in the moment using it, however sometimes living in the now is easier said than done. Even in the now exists decisions to be made.

I’m always fascinated by people who can live life without stress, worry, procrastination, or anxiety. I’m not one of them. I’m pretty chilled, however I’m always busy and the mental load of modern life can be overwhelming. The constant barrage of decisions, both big and small can challenge even the most composed individuals. I worry about what I need to get done, my family’s needs, health, work, and life admin. It can be a lot. And…….it………never……. stops.

Oh, and did I mention I once won an Olympic gold medal for procrastination? In the past, I was queen of deciding and then second-guessing. Or not making a decision at all for fear of making the ‘wrong’ one.

But several years ago, that all started to change.

Two words became a regular part of my vocabulary. At first, I didn’t notice how they had crept into my daily thinking and conversations. And then at some point I noticed I was making decisions without second-guessing, living life happy with the choices I was making, and generally just feeling less stressed and overwhelmed. As you’ve probably already guessed those two words were ‘for now’.

I started adding them to questions I was asking myself. What feels like the right company for me to work at, for now? Where do I want to live, for now? What school should I send my daughter to, for now? I have SO much to do today, where should I start for now?

Why ‘for now’? For now acts as a balm to decision-making overwhelm. For now isn’t about making careless decisions; it’s about embracing the idea that nothing in life is set in stone. It acknowledges that circumstances change, and so do we. We are not static beings, and our desires, needs and aspirations evolve. ‘For now’ helps us to stay in tune with these changes without the paralysing fear of making the ‘wrong’ choice.

For me incorporating ‘for now’ into my daily decision-making has:

Given me the freedom to evolve

Embracing ‘for now’ offers us the freedom to evolve, learn and adapt. When we free ourselves from the burden of making every decision a permanent one, it becomes easier to step forward. It encourages personal growth and allows us to explore new paths without the crippling fear of failure.

Reduced overwhelm

The mental load of modern life is undeniable. The constant barrage of decisions, both big and small, can overwhelm even the most composed of souls. ‘For now’ acts as a barrier to this overwhelm. It streamlines decision-making, making it more manageable. Instead of analysing every angle endlessly, you start to trust your instincts and intuition more.

I can live life with less regret

We’ve all been down the road of regret, wondering if we should have chosen differently. ‘For now’ invites us to live with less regret. It prompts us to accept that at any given moment, we made the best choice with the information available. Even if hindsight reveals a different path, that’s okay. Life is a journey, full of twists and turns. Each decision, even if it is just ‘for now’ contributes to your growth.

Embrace uncertainty

The wisdom of ‘for now’ lies in embracing the uncertainty of life. It reminds us that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Instead of fixating on the distant future, it encourages us to focus on the present, where we have the power to make a difference. It allows us to cherish each moment and make the best decision at the time.

Tomorrow isn’t promised and nothing in life is guaranteed. 'For now’ is not a surrender to chaos and flippant decision-making, it's about embracing life’s fluidity. It’s a reminder that we are not defined by a single decision but by the cumulative choices we make.

So, when you find yourself at a crossroads, remember those two powerful words ‘for now’. And let them guide you toward a more mindful and fulfilling life.