Why You Should Think About Yourself - In the Future
Build a Relationship With Your Future Self.
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” — Soren Kierkegaard
It may seem counter-intuitive, but if you want to lead a good life, your priority should be to think about yourself — in the future.
It’s easy enough to think about yourself now because that version of you is staring back from the mirror each day. But considering who you may become next month, next year, or even five years from now is critical for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Believing in a brighter future for yourself can help drive changes that have lasting positive effects on your well-being.
Research suggests that when we reduce our “futuristic selves” to mere abstractions rather than living people with identities and aspirations, we are more likely to avail ourselves of instant gratification instead of making decisions that benefit us in the long term.
All this could be avoided if our understanding of the human psyche made us realize the importance of developing strong relationships with our envisioned future selves and putting effort into planning for them today.
If we want to create a better tomorrow without unwise spending sprees and unhealthy diets, then “future-conscious” thinking must become second nature.
On an individual as well as social level, identifying and nurturing a relationship with our future selves will give us a greater chance at fulfilling lives today and more promising futures ahead.
Focusing on the Future
Creating a strong bond with your future self carries an interesting paradox. You can’t predict who or what you will become. Yet, that unpredictability makes it essential to stay connected to the better version of ourselves.
That said, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the present in favor of the future — far from it!
The key is to focus on living each day as if you were preparing for tomorrow. This means taking good care of your body and mind so you can live optimally later. It also means seeking meaningful experiences while keeping your long-term goals in sight.
In essence, we are developing a relationship with our future selves requires striving for a balance between short-term and long-term happiness.
By engaging with our futures selves, we can create a better today while also setting ourselves up for success in the future.
When we envision ourselves in the future, we also begin to recognize the importance of living every day with intention and taking steps toward a better tomorrow.
A relationship with our future selves can be a powerful tool for creating healthier lifestyles and making more informed decisions.
Consequence Awareness and Responsibility
Developing relationships with our future selves can also help us become more aware of the consequences of our decisions.
Understanding what will happen due to a particular action or lifestyle choice makes it easier to take responsibility for our lives today.
As such, one of the most critical steps in strengthening your connection with your future self is becoming aware of how your decisions today will affect you tomorrow and beyond.
Ultimately, taking the initiative toward a healthier lifestyle requires confidence, commitment, and an appreciation for where life may lead.
By maintaining a solid relationship with our future selves, we can recognize our potential and make decisions that will ensure the most rewarding outcome for ourselves and those around us.
It’s up to you to take control of your destiny — now and in the years ahead.
“I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.” — George Burns
The Present and Future Paradox
Creating an intimate relationship with our future selves is an abstract concept. Still, it can be a powerful tool for personal growth.
Most people get lost thinking of the past or the future, but focusing on both is the key to having a good life experience.
On the one hand, it’s essential to enjoy and appreciate the present moment — at no other point can we receive immediate gratification and satisfaction. At the same time, staying connected with our future selves is essential to plan for a better tomorrow.
By striving for this balance between making decisions that are good for us now and those that will benefit us later, we can make the most of each day while working towards a brighter future.
Maintaining a relationship with your envisioned future self can be rewarding if you take the necessary steps. By staying aware of how your current decisions will impact your future, you can ensure that you’re making informed and intentional decisions that will lead to a better life.
Ideology’s Role
The idea of a future self is embedded in cultural and religious beliefs. As such, different ideologies have distinct views on approaching the concept.
For instance, some believe it’s best to think about our future selves as if they were us today — since we don’t know what our lives will be like later on. Others caution against this and suggest focusing only on making beneficial decisions now rather than worrying about future consequences.
Regardless of individual opinions, most agree that maintaining a relationship with your envisioned self can improve your well-being and quality of life.
In the end, it shouldn’t matter what your views are on the concept; what’s important is that you start considering how your current decisions will affect you in the future.
“The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future.” — Stephen Ambrose
How to Stay Connected With My Future self?
Here are some things you can do:
Make a list of your goals for the future: Writing down your goals can help keep you focused on achieving them.
Visualize success: Imagining yourself succeeding in the future can be a powerful motivator and help keep you on track.
Create an action plan: Planning each step to achieve your goals will make staying motivated and reaching your desired outcome easier.
Take time for yourself: It’s easy to get caught up in thinking about our futures, but taking a break and enjoying the present moment is just as important — if not more so!
Find a mentor or role model: It’s always helpful to have someone experienced guide us through difficult decisions or give advice.
Reflect: Pause and reflect on your decisions today, and consider how they will impact your future self.
Believe in yourself: No matter what happens, it’s always important to know that you can rely on yourself and trust your capabilities.
Set reminders: Set reminders for yourself to check up on your progress and goals periodically — this will help keep you accountable and motivated.
Imagine your feelings: before eating that extra slice of cake or spending extra money, take a moment to imagine how you’ll feel in the future if you do it.
Developing a solid relationship with our envisioned selves can lay the foundation for leading healthier and more fulfilling lives. So don’t hesitate — to invest in yourself today and create a brighter tomorrow! The journey to a better future starts with you. Begin now! Embrace your relationship with your future self and start planning for the bright future ahead. Your present self will thank you later.
In conclusion, building a relationship with our future selves is one of the best investments we can make for our personal growth and well-being.
It requires understanding how decisions will affect us tomorrow and beyond and committing to creating meaningful relationships with our envisioned selves.
Different ideologies may have different opinions on the topic, but at its core, maintaining a solid connection with your future self entails making intentional choices today that will benefit you in the long run.
© BELUMA, LLC t/a Beyond Two Cents. All Rights Reserved.
DID YOU KNOW?
Water in space will not freeze; It will boil.
The internet is a mass of cables around the world.
Ice Age Britons were cannibals and used human skulls as cups.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
This week and in line with today’s topic, I recommend reading “Longpath: Becoming the Great Ancestors Our Future Needs - An Antidote for Short-Termism.” by Ari Wallach.
This book is an invaluable resource for anyone who understands the importance of cultivating a relationship with their future self and how it can help lead them toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
FEATURED TWEETS
