This upcoming year, I resolve to put more effort into being “in the present moment.”

We live in a fast-paced world, where everything around us screams “Go go go!” It’s a continuous cycle of responsibilities followed by obligations – mainly to others, and never to ourselves. When was the last time you stopped to take a deep breath and simply appreciate the life you have? The cynical part of ourselves probably yells “what is there to appreciate?” How nobody can afford to buy a house? How grocery bills have increased by 30% over the past year? How nobody has job security anymore? How we are in a recession propped up by AI tech bros circle jerking each other?

Woah woah woah! Let’s hold your horses! Yes, the world is overwhelming. It’s hard to “be in the moment” when the moment feels like it’s crushing you slowly. Life is chaotic and you never feel in control. Welcome to being the 99.9%. The reality is that hierarchies never went away, and the elite still rule the world. Remember the olden stories of kings and queens, and the aristocrats that ruled the land? In our parallel timeline, we have presidents and billionaires. While we the peasants toil the land to make sure society runs, the elite controls the purse strings and manipulate that society.

So how do I enjoy the present moment? Accept the reality. Embrace being the peasant and the joys of your mundaneness. Spend time around people that you care about, and who care about you. Hug your loved ones and recognize that you have the honor of making a difference in their lives. Sure, life might not be the most comfortable, or the most exciting, or even the most joyful at times, but at the end of it all, it is what you make of it. It’s your choice to live it miserably, or to take solace in trying to carve out your own little corner. My resolution: let’s start carving.