The importance of living in the moment

Being in the moment is something I strive to do always. I find that it is so important to truly connect with not only those around you, but also what is going on around you.

So often we're stuck in our phones or busy worrying about other responsibilities that we simply forget to enjoy what is happening right now.

What prompted me to think about this so much was our latest trip to Disney World. (We are now Annual Passholders, so that will be happening a lot more often!)

We splurged to go to the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (stay tuned for more info on that one!) and it was a great time! The best part was the parade and the Hocus Pocus Villains Spectacular—a show that happens on the stage in front of Cinderella's castle.

We were able to get pretty close to the stage since it was the second show of the evening and it was late at night, which was awesome. However, there was something that really aggravated me, and this wasn't the first time that day.

Normally, I would have had a fantastic view of the stage...if it weren't for the SEA OF CELL PHONES IN MY FACE.

Now I'm not exactly tall, but obviously taller than most children. Anyone under 6 ft. tall would have been blocked by people holding up cell phones as high as their arms would take them FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE SHOW.

I tried to get one or two photos of all the villains at the end of the show, but as you can see, there's still a camera in my shot lol.

Look, I don't have an issue if you want to take a couple photos. I get it. I even took some photos and a short video. But then that was it.

There is no reason to record the entire 20 minute show with your cell phone. You'll probably never watch it again, and no one else is going to either. So why not just enjoy the show with your own two eyes and a less tired arm?

I just don't get it. Disney is the perfect example of the kind of experience you really want to take in every minute of. Why waste time taping everything and miss out on all of the amazing moments you could be experiencing?

As much as it is nice to have pictures from which to remember those experiences, if you're so busy taking photos and filming the entire time you're there, you're only memories WILL be those photos and videos.

In this day and age with technology being so prevalent in our society and the upcoming generation having such an attachment to social media, I think it's really important that we all focus on living and breathing every moment in our lives.

One thing I always say is "everything in moderation." It's okay to take photos, it's okay to post to your Instagram story, but just do it a little bit. Don't let it take over your life. Because years down the line when you go to tell stories about your experiences, you'll want to be able to paint that picture through your memories and through words, not by just whipping out your phone and showing people your photo gallery. It's just not the same.

What do you think? Are many of us guilty of not living in the moment? What do you do to make sure you are present in your everyday life?

XO, Briana