A video went around on social media recently that caught my attention. The video asked older women what they would tell their younger-selves and their responses were to live in the moment and just be. We hear so many times by older generations how fast time goes and those with kids often hear that it will seem their kids have grown in a blink of an eye. I am witnessing that myself as a mother.

What does it mean to just be? How is it that someone can learn to just be? How can this improve your relationships?

In a world that seems to be a constant go-go-go mentality, always having to have something to keep our minds busy and keeping up with the Jones’, it is fairly easy to get caught up with the busyness of life and forgetting to stop, just be and actually enjoy life. We can all learn how to do this and here are a few things to get you started.

–Stop rushing onto the next thing. Sometimes when we have a To Do list (mentally or literally), we get so consumed by keeping it up to date we are always thinking what is next. Make your To Do list and then when you do your Do’s be present for them and get to the next item when that one is finished. Be in that moment whether with your spouse, partner, friends, family, kids or yourself.

–Stop rushing your kids. Many parents find themselves rushing to get the kids to bed, exhausted from the day. Or constantly telling kids to “hurry”, so worried about the next thing to do. And some parents are rushing from activity to activity, play-date to play-date, making sure the kids have something to do and don’t get bored. What about just being with each other and playing, interacting or talking with your kids? Schedule down time for your kids and for yourself and be in that moment.

–Put the electronics away. I know we hear this a lot but it really does make a big difference. Do you want your partner and kids to feel and remember that you were there with them, enjoying them, and there for them or do you want them to feel that your status and pictures on social media are just right or having so many likes or responding to that text or email is more important than being in that moment with them? Think of your priorities in life and make sure your spouse, kids and even you feel like a priority to you.

–Seek therapy. For some people, being able to just be and live in the moment is tough for multiple reasons which can include past trauma, dwelling on the past, current life stresses, those with anxiety and a constant worry about the future. Learning how to work through these things to be able to just be in the moment can come from individual therapy, couples counseling or family therapy. If you find yourself struggling to live in the moment and just be it might be helpful for you (and other family members) to seek therapy.

Don’t let one of your regrets in life be that you didn’t actually live your life and just be.