Right Now

In this gentle reflection, Dakota explores the simple yet profound power of adding “right now” to our emotional language. These two words can transform the heaviest feelings into something more spacious, present, and tolerable. The track closes with an optional journaling invitation to help you explore what you’re feeling — right now — through mindful awareness of your body and emotions.

Transcript

There's something I've started saying lately that has completely changed the way I experience my emotions.

In the past I used to say things like I feel mad or I feel sad or this fear is so big.

But recently I've started adding two words to the end of every sentence.

And that's right now.

So for example I will say I feel mad right now or I feel afraid right now or this trigger feels really big right now.

And something about that tiny shift feels like taking a three-ton truck off my back.

Because without saying the words right now we're basically telling ourselves that this feeling is indefinite.

And that makes emotions feel really overwhelming,

Even scary.

But when I say the words right now it reminds me that whatever I'm feeling isn't permanent.

They remind me that this moment,

Even the hard ones,

Are passing through.

And when I remember that it's like the pressure immediately lifts.

It doesn't mean the emotion disappears but it becomes tolerable.

I can breathe with it.

I can stay present with it.

And most importantly when I know something isn't going to last forever I can become curious about it.

If I know I'm not going to feel this fear forever then I can wonder what it feels like right now.

What texture is it?

Where is it in my body?

What color is it?

That allows me to separate myself from the emotion and then I don't feel like I'm swallowed by it.

Right now gives me permission to feel without believing I'll be stuck in that feeling forever.

Right now opens the door to compassion,

To allowance,

And to letting things be.

So maybe every time you notice a strong emotion,

Whether it be anger,

Fear,

Sadness,

Or even joy,

Try adding those words.

Say,

I feel this right now.

And see what happens in your body when you do.

Because this has been a huge key for me to stop suppressing and running from my emotions.

And it's like a paradox of life.

The less we resist the less it persists.

And these energies can actually move through us faster and allowing us to feel better day to day.

If you're open to trying this,

Let me know how you feel in the comments below.