Have you ever come across people who are constantly talking about their past—about the hurts, the losses, the betrayals?
Or people who are endlessly anxious about their future?
They ask, “What will happen to me if this person doesn’t live anymore?” or “I’ve gone through so much... it has ruined my entire life.”

Whenever they get an opportunity to speak, they go back to their past or shoot forward into their future.
And what do you observe in them?
They are often restless, anxious, or disconnected.
They seem to be living everywhere—except in the now.

Welcome to I LISTEN SPACE. I’m Chiradeep, your host.
And today’s episode is titled: “Living in the Present: The Only Time That’s Truly Ours.”

Let’s reflect for a moment.
The present is the only time we actually have in our control.
We can neither rewrite the past nor predict the future.
Still, so many of us spend our lives haunted by what has already happened or paralyzed by fear of what might happen.

So what happens when we don’t live in the present?

We carry a heavy emotional burden—regret, guilt, sorrow, anxiety—and we miss the simple joys and opportunities that the present moment holds.
Relationships suffer. Peace escapes us.
And our emotional wellbeing stays compromised.

But here’s the good news:
Being present is a skill. And like any skill, it can be cultivated.

Let me offer you a few simple ways to anchor yourself in the present:

• Practice mindful breathing: When you feel overwhelmed, just pause and take three slow, deep breaths. Focus only on the inhale and the exhale. This simple act brings your attention back to the here and now.

• Notice your surroundings: Look around you and identify five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This grounding exercise reconnects you with the present moment.

• Name your feelings without judgment: Instead of reacting quickly, pause and say to yourself, “I’m feeling anxious” or “I’m feeling frustrated.” Acknowledging your emotions without criticizing yourself helps you gain control over them.

• Set a daily intention: Every morning, ask yourself, “What do I want to focus on today?” or “How do I want to show up for myself and others today?” This keeps your mind focused on one clear direction instead of spiraling into what-ifs.

• Be where your feet are: Literally look at your feet and say, “I am here. This moment is enough.” It's a physical and mental reminder to stop drifting into the past or future and to return to now.

The present isn’t always perfect. But it’s real.
It’s all we’ve got.
And it’s more than enough when we choose to live in it fully.

Thank you for listening to I LISTEN SPACE.
If today’s episode resonated with you, follow and share it with someone who might need this reminder.

Until next time—breathe, feel, and be here.