International Bench Day — May 20

UBBOTUGGI®

International Bench Day is a reminder of one of the most important things in the world — something that touches every human being, everywhere, regardless of wealth, age, position, or worldview.

Presence.

This moment.

This single, unique moment that will never return again.

Presence in this moment is the highest possible luxury a human being can ever possess.

A bench does what it does.
It brings most of us effortlessly into the state of presence, here and now.

It calls us back to what is real, right in this moment.

On International Bench Day, we honor the quiet power of benches across the world — their ability to return us, instantly, to presence, to this unique moment that will never come again.

Whether you are surrounded by tradition, at home by a wall, in the calm of gentle movement, beneath oak trees, in the intensity of competition, focused on the details of practice, standing at a meaningful turning point, or seated in a vibrant sky garden — a bench elevates the moment.

How to observe International Bench Day

Come alone, or with family, a friend, or a companion animal — in whatever way feels meaningful to you.
Sit on a bench, familiar or unfamiliar, indoors or outdoors, without a plan or a sense of urgency.
Look around.
Breathe.
And remain in this moment for as long as it feels right.

This is where happiness resides.

Savor presence.
You may return to it every day — but May 20 is International Bench Day, when we consciously create the conditions for the deepest possible presence.

The purpose of International Bench Day is to remind us of an easily forgotten, immeasurably valuable luxury in our lives:

To live in this moment.
Not in yesterday’s worries.
Not in tomorrow’s concerns.
But in the only moment that truly belongs to us.

May 20 is the very least our presence deserves — sit for a while.
No performance.
No explanations.
No pretence.

Just this moment.

For your bench.
For your moment.
For your presence.