As someone who can never seem to unwind, I think I've finally come to this realization. It's taken me awhile, and I still have trouble with it, but we have to start living in the moment.
I've always been someone who worries about the future, sometimes the near and sometimes the far, but either way, I can't control what happens, so I shouldn't spend so much time contemplating and worrying about it.
When I'm at work, I'm worried about school. When I'm at school, I'm worried about work. And when I'm at home relaxing, which is already rare as it is, I find myself worrying about other things I could be doing. All of these thoughts make me think I don't deserve to unwind whenever I finally get some time to myself.
I know so many people who feel the same way, and the more I've experienced it, the more I realized it's useless.
No matter what we're concerned about, it might as well be left to deal with it when it the time comes. Then we can start enjoying the moments we are actually in, instead of letting them be consumed by worrisome thoughts about the future.
What is "thinking" or "worrying" about anything going to solve anyway? They're still problems, events, or work that we have to deal with anyway, so why continue wasting the present time?
We can't always let our lives be consumed by "what's to come" because then our present, our actual life, will always be hindered by something.
Next time you find yourself over planning the future, or dwelling on all of your responsibilities and "to-do's," just remember: you deserve to unwind, you deserve to enjoy your present and you'll handle everything else when you get to it.
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” ~ Buddha.