5 Ways to Live For Your Future Self

A couple of weeks ago, I published this blog post, talking about why you don’t need to try so hard to live in the moment, because it can actually be a really beautiful thing to live for your future self.

So that was sort of the “why” and here’s the “how”. Here are 5 ways that you can live for your future self.

Write a Letter to Your Future Self

A very easy way to do something for future you. Just write a letter to your future self and keep it somewhere safe until it’s time to open it one day.

Write about anything you want.

• Write your goals and dreams for the future. Maybe future you will know if they became a reality.
• Describe your life now; who your friends are, the crushes you have, your favorite songs, shows, foods, and things to do. Write about what’s weighing on you right now, and also the things and people that make you happy. Just to make sure future you won’t forget any of the details of the life you’re living now.
• Ask questions about the future and how your life looks then.
• Write down your questons about the universe and this life. Maybe you will be closer to finding the answers.

Just imagine how cool it will be to read that letter one day.

Imagine how satisfying it will be to realize you now understand something you used to stress and wonder about.

Imagine how cool it will be to look around at your life, and realize your reality is something you used to dream about.

Imagine how grateful you will be to be able to read and remember these little details of your life that otherwise, you would’ve forgotten.

Keeping a journal that you add to continuously might be an even better way for future you to look back on your life. But if keeping up with a journal sounds like a nightmare to you, writing a letter will be way easier with all of the same benefits.

Make a Bucket List, and Start Crossing Things Off Now

On the Notes app, typed somewhere on your computer, written in a journal, written fancy on a poster board, or wherever else your heart desires, make a bucket list for the course of your life.

A bucket list of every place you want to see, hobby you want to try out, death-defying stunt you want to try, skills to learn, and every little thing you want to experience in this life. Write it all down and add to it as you come up with new bright ideas.

Keep this master list of things to do during your life on this Earth, and carry it with you as you live.

Cross things off as possible so future you never has to say, “I always wanted to do that. Now I’m too damn old.”

Do It For the Story and For the Memories

You’re standing beside a cliff. All of your friends have already jumped and are cheering you on from below. You want to jump, but the overwhelming feeling of fear throughout your body is reminding you how much easier it would be to walk back down instead.

Your friend invites you to go on a trip this weekend. You’re able to go and you know it will be amazing, but a lazy weekend that’s kinder to the bank account sounds just as tempting.

You’re out in public with your friends

When you’re met with these decisions to do something or stay inside of your comfort zone, ask yourself what future you would want. Of course, sometimes the “comfy option” really is the best choice and that’s okay! But whenever you can, make future you proud and do the scary thing.

Do It Now So You Won’t Have to Do It Later

Living for your future self just might help you stop procrastinating a little bit.

Okay, just picture this:

It’s Sunday night and that 11:59 p.m. deadline is getting closer and closer. The stress is building and you keep asking yourself why on Earth you didn’t work on your assignments earlier in the week.

Or, you know when you have that task on your to-do list, like changing a lightbulb, and you put it off for an embarrassing amount of time. Then when you finally find the motivation to do it, it winds up taking a grand total of 15 minutes of your time. Then you’re left wondering, “man, I could’ve just done that ages ago instead of it being an inconvenience and a weight on my chest for this long.”

Okay, as a chronic procrastinator, I think it is simply impossible to never procrastinate. But, keeping my future self in mind has definitely helped me get things done sooner. Try it for yourself and let me know how it works!

Take Pictures

Even as a content creator, sometimes I get way too embarrassed to take photos and videos in public. I have no idea why it’s so embarrassing, but I know I’m not alone in this.

I let the embarrassment win way too often. Then later when I’m looking back through my camera roll, I’m left wondering why some videos look so rushed and why I didn’t take the time to capture a moment or landscape I really wanted to remember.

So the next time you find yourself too nervous to pull out your phone or camera to capture a moment, remind yourself how grateful future you will be to be able to look back on that moment.

Also, I know insecurities can make it really hard to step in front of the camera. But I also know future you will definitely want to be able to look back on photos of you. One day when will people ask you what you looked like at different ages, make sure you have photos to show.