Strengthening the Emotional Connection with Your Future Self
In a conversation with a financial advisor, she recommended that I practice visualizing my future self. She had read that by doing so, motivates improvement and change—no matter the problem or challenge.
For me, it's arthritis of the hip! My future self is showing what I could experience later on, mobility concerns and a hip replacement. That may sound simple enough but the orthopedic doc says the arthritis is mild and Medicare would never approve replacement at this point. Yet, there's a lot of pain! So much so, it's uncomfortable to take long walks. I'm left with finding solutions to mitigate now and hopefully, get back to enjoying the outdoors.
Lesson learned: Knowing the risks/challenges and how they will affect the future is the first step toward improvement and change.
Next, close the emotional distance between the current and future self. Because when the future feels abstract or far away, it’s easy to prioritize today’s needs over tomorrow’s. However, by fostering a stronger emotional connection with the person we will become, we're motivated to plan ahead and find ways to ensure a secure future. Here are some ways to bridge the gap:
-
Visualization Exercises: Imagine yourself 10, 20, or even 30 years into the future. Picture your lifestyle, health, and financial situation. Vividly seeing your future self can make the long-term consequences of today’s decisions more real and urgent.
-
Write to Your Future Self: Consider writing a letter or keeping a journal addressed to yourself in the future. Reflect on your hopes and goals for the coming years. This practice helps humanize your future self and strengthens your emotional bond.
-
Use Aging Simulations: Technology can offer a glimpse into your future appearance through aging apps. When you see yourself as an older adult, the future becomes more tangible, making it easier to act in the best interests of that future version of you.
-
Set Tangible Milestones: Break down your future into achievable goals at different stages of life. Visualizing where you want to be in 10, 20, or 30 years can help make the aging process feel more immediate and actionable.
By emotionally connecting with your future self, you’ll feel more motivated to plan for long-term financial security, better health, and a more fulfilling retirement. Strengthening this connection leads to wiser decisions that will benefit you for years to come. Start now, and your future self will thank you!
Know your future risks—Take the Life Plan Assessment $19.95
Thank you for reading,
Carol Marak, a solo ager
Facebook: Carol Marak
Twitter: @Carebuzz
LinkedIn: Carol Marak
YouTube: Solo and Smart
|
