The Rules to Break, 2nd Edition

RULE TO BREAK

“Live in the present”

Well, clearly in literal terms the present is the only time you can live in. But it’s taken to mean focusing on what’s happening now and disregarding the past or the future. Sure, you’ll have more fun if you appreciate and enjoy what you have at the time. Living in the present can stop you from feeling anxious or worrying about things you can’t change.

But what if the present isn’t much fun? Suppose you’re already anxious or upset or grief-stricken or miserable or depressed. In that case living entirely in the present doesn’t seem so clever. Of course you need to have an eye on the present in order to resolve things. But where’s the sense in immersing yourself in your misery? When that happens it’s much ...