ELI5: how to live

What does it mean to live well?

Living well means enjoying your life right now instead of always worrying about tomorrow or thinking about the past [1]. It's like playing with your favorite toy today instead of saving it for later and never actually using it [3].

Why should you focus on the present?

Your brain spends so much time thinking about things that aren't happening right now—things that might happen or things that already happened [1]. But the only time you can actually do things and feel happy is right now, in this moment.

What are some ways to live a full life?

You can try new things that seem fun or a little scary, spend time with people you care about, do work you actually enjoy instead of just chasing money, and discover what makes you excited [3][4]. It's like trying different flavors of ice cream instead of always picking vanilla.

How do you start living better today?

First, figure out what you're passionate about through thinking or meditating [4], then stop worrying so much and just focus on what you're doing right now [1]. You can also manage stress and build stronger friendships by being more present with the people around you [2].