We live in a world where having our eyes on the future is a constant replay in our mind. From our health to physical attributes, dream careers, living situations, romance, and everything in between. I believe it is a normal instinct to think about your future selves, but how much are you really doing to get where you want to be? I often tell myself I want to pursue a certain milestone when I'm "older" or think about who I'll be when I'm in my 20's or even 30's but truth is, I have spent more time trying to identify what my future will look like then giving myself a chance to live in the moment.

Before moving to Chicago, I held a very strong motive for myself that I was meant to do something out of my comfort zone and that whatever that was, I was going to make the best of it. However it has been one of the hardest obstacles for me. I can't begin to think about how many times I've cried since being here, thinking "Was this really the best choice for me?" or "Will this all be worth it?" simply because I really didn't have myself figured out, and although it's been really hard to accept, it has also been the biggest blessing because I've been able to discover things about myself that I didn't even know I carried within. Worrying so much about what's next to come, or what my life will be like in even the next couple of days really has drained my energy and caused me to lose myself.

This happens to many people; the way their personalities hold and the lifestyle they are use to. I always have constant thoughts of being one step ahead of myself, if I find myself in a situation that requires a lot of focus, I wonder "What more can I do?" or "How else can I improve?" and although this might not be a bad thing, it can definitely be a way of losing yourself as you're not allowing yourself to really breakthrough what is right in front of you. The best way to handle these types of situations is to simply listen to yourself, listen to your mind, listen to your heart, and acknowledge what might be the outcome of something amazing that is about to embark in your life.

This takes time, sometimes you hold yourself back due to negative thoughts derailing your mind. As they cycle in your head, know how to break those negative patterns that are not allowing you to move forward. This can come from changing your thought processes to simply visualizing the outcome. Evolve your life and accommodations to what is happening now, and focus on the present timing of your life.

Knowing your purpose in life is vital in shifting your focus, but not only that, it's going to help you reinvent your stability to move forward but to live in the moment. To appreciate what you have in front of you, and to make something out of yourself while you have the opportunity to do so. Help yourself by visualizing what you want for YOU and what will ultimately give your life purpose. Remember that when you shift your focus on living in the moment and being appreciative of it, you change your life.