The present moment used to be the default. Nobody had to “practice” it, we just lived it—cereal, cartoons, walking to school, hanging out after. Tech was a treat, not a leash. Then the pendulum swung. Now it’s overstimulation on tap: too much food, too much noise, too little space to actually taste life.
People talk about nostalgia like it’s wanting the 2000s back, but that’s not it. Those times weren’t perfect—what’s missing is the gaps. The quiet. The boredom that used to force us to look up, talk, create. Without it, everything’s just a blur of “good parts” with no contrast.
And here’s the lonely part—it’s not that I’m alone in a room. It’s looking around and realizing most people are fine with the blur. My buddy “Barry the Bear” shrugs and says, “Times have changed, it is what it is.” That’s fatalism. It’s how “Dave the Duck” ends up stuck in a life he didn’t mean to build, avoiding the truth with beer and small talk because actually changing would mean admitting the mess.
Real loneliness is when you know people, maybe even like them, but have no clue what’s under their surface. You can be surrounded and starving for depth. Meanwhile, “Lenny the Llama” lives mostly alone but knows exactly what he’s about—clear values, good standards, his own philosophy—and is way more connected than most “social” people.
The trap is thinking the only fix is to go back. You can’t. The job now is learning to be present on purpose in a world that’s designed to strip that from you. It’s harder, yeah—but it’s also a skill. And once you’ve got it, you see more, feel more, and spot the rare people who aren’t just drifting. Those few connections? They’re worth more than the whole crowd.
That’s also the reason why I decided to create Moment. It’s a free app that encourages brief pauses during the day — to take stock of how you’re feeling. And if you’re intentional enough, maybe you'll see a bit clearer who you are… and who you could become.
If you're curious, you can try Moment here. No pressure. Just a few mindful pauses — maybe they'll change something.