Do something your FUTURE SELF will thank you for…

There have definitely been times in my life when I have NOT put this wise advice into practice. 

 In the midst of making a not-so-great decision and considering the outcome, I’ve said to myself, “Well, that’s Future Emily’s problem to figure out!”.  

Spoiler: Future Emily was NOT grateful for most of those choices. 😬

Sometimes, these decisions appear minor. Like staying up just a little too late. Booking the redeye flight to save a few bucks. Saying yes to an extra work commitment. Eating the thing you know your body doesn’t like. 

Oftentimes, you can’t see the chain reaction that is set in motion by this one choice. You don’t have the perspective. You’re too zoomed in on the details of the present moment. Your vision is blurred by the immediate gratification of watching one more episode, saving money, pleasing someone else, or the imminent sugar rush. 

 This is why fostering a relationship with your future self can be such a powerful practice. When you value your future self, more often than not, your choices begin to reflect that worth. You’re able to zoom out enough to consider the long-term impact of your choices, in addition to the instant dopamine hit. 

You still get to choose. But your choices are more holistically informed this way. 

 So, when you think about keeping promises to yourself, what versions of yourself do you imagine?

I wonder what might shift if you consider how your choices impact you now AND the version of you one month from now…

 6 months from now…

 1 year from now…

 5 years from now…

 15 years from now…

 Both versions are important to consider when setting intentions. 

 Current You and Future You. 

 I once got a “Note from the Universe” email that captures this paradox. 

 <<Enjoying short-term pleasures at the expense of long-term dreams is just as silly as pursing long-term dreams at the expense of short-term pleasures. 

 Pursue both.>>

 It’s true that your life is happening in this moment. This moment is your life. Be present. Enjoy. 

 AND. (there’s always an and.)

 How you live today impacts how you get to live in the future.