As someone who has dealt with a lot of transition and change, focusing too much on the future or dwelling on the past began to take over my life. I was constantly planning and strategizing my activities for the weekend or even months down the road. I would constantly be telling myself "if I could just get to this day…" or "once I get to this day…" When those days came, they went in the blink of an eye. Then what?

The anxiety that I felt of the unknown of how plans would roll out made me overwhelmed with a feeling of worry and the need to figure things out. I needed to plan certain things that were weeks down the road.

I quickly discovered myself reflecting on the day, not even recognizing what happened or the happiness I should have been getting out of the things I enjoyed. Dancing is one of my favorite things and I couldn't even enjoy dance class because I was thinking about how I was going to finish my homework that weekend. Anxiety and worry about the future took away my happiness.

So when I couldn't even enjoy my greatest passion, I was determined to change my mentality. I wanted to cherish the life I was living.

Here are five tips that helped me stay in the present:

I know these tips might appear easier said than done and they aren't an exact science to staying in the present. I am, by no means, a master myself. However, I have instilled these practices in my day-to-day life and I am happier for it. Notice and be present in each moment of your day. By doing so, life won't fly by without you experiencing what you are participating in. You only get one life to live, so why not enjoy it? Why rush to get to the finish line?

Live each day one at a time and relish in this beautiful gift of life.