Why I chose this question:
One re-occurring statement I always hear is to “live in the moment,” but I had no idea what that exactly meant. Throughout my work on this Inquiry project, I had the opportunity to discover more about the art of presence, and how it makes an impact on day-to-day life. As I am a high school student, life can get hectic with busy schedules between completing assignments and balancing extracurriculars, so I chose this question to have a better idea of how powerful the present moment is. In addition, I decided to dive deep within this topic to understand a few of the tools available to help live in the moment.
What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
Over the course of the semester, I was forced to overcome the challenge of finding how our relationship with time (past regrets and future anxieties) affects our ability to be present. This was a difficult process as I had to filter through numerous websites in order to find the most accurate and reliable results. At first glance, researching about this complex topic looks simple. Although, there are multiple layers to uncover with a vast amount of information accessible. This phase of exploration was very informative to learn about, but it took careful analyzation to uncover the answer to this intricate sub-question.
I overcame this challenge by spending a little bit more time sifting through all of the websites available, and finding data from multiple different sources that were similar in order to acquire the most precise details.
How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This inquiry project has been extremely educational; providing me with quite a bit of valuable information. Before I started doing my research about this substantial topic, I thought that living in the moment was tough to do, especially in this day and age. What I have learned is that living in the present moment is simple, particularly when using handy tools effectively. Utilizing instruments such as a gratitude journal, regular exercise, or even just taking short breaks between sedentary activities can significantly boost levels of happiness. This boost is a drastic improvement in terms of health and wellness, leading to a more mindful, present individual. For example, when I study for long periods at a time, I always make sure that I take frequent breaks to prevent fatigue, fuel my creativity, and enhance my mood. Before this inquiry project, I rarely took breaks between my studies, but now I know the benefits, which has positively changed the way I think. From this small change, I experience less brain fog, and feel more motivated to get tasks done, so I 100% recommend this tip to my readers.
How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
This investigation opened my perspective into viewing breaks as a vital thing, instead of a waste of time. Sometimes I immerse myself too deeply into an activity, such as studying, where I feel like it’s unnecessary to take a break. I think this way as I believe that incorporating frequent breaks into my day will disrupt the motivation I have to complete tasks. However, disregarding breaks can lead into even bigger problems. This may range from fatigue, an increased likelihood of errors, or even burnout. So, whenever I feel like I can skip a break, I refer back to three constructive words. “Relax, Refresh, Recharge.” These three words remind me that taking breaks is essential to putting in the best possible work. Next time you feel like skipping a break, I advise you to think of the three R’s!
What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/ or globally?
This investigation will have a positive impact on others locally and globally by simply adjusting the mindset. We live in a world that never slows down. The only time moves is forward. In order to live life to the fullest, it is vital that we focus on the given moment. It is easy to get distracted by the rapid pace of life, so sometimes it’s okay to take a step back, and observe the beautiful things that you have in the moment. By doing this, it transforms an individual into a more informed, appreciative person. I think we all should try to incorporate some of these tips into daily life, improving ourselves one step at a time.
“Now is the only time we have, and the only time we have any control over.” – Richard Carlson
Thank you very much for reading. I hope you learned something new!
–Vanessa Vukovic