We’ve all felt that familiar struggle: waiting for the right moment to prioritize ourselves, only to realize we may have waited too long. It’s a common challenge—believing we’ll be ready “someday” while life continues to move on. Rushali Vasudevan, a media professional based in Abu Dhabi, understands this well. Although she is always there for her friends, she often hesitates when it comes to her own needs. After a significant life change, she relocated to the UAE but found herself delaying the setup of her new home, feeling overwhelmed by the memories stored in her boxes.
“Months passed, and I’d glance at the unopened boxes, aware that they contained fragments of a past I wasn’t prepared to face,” she shares. However, as she contemplated her future self—the person she wanted to become, unburdened by emotional clutter—she sensed a change.
How Your Future Self Can Guide You Forward
Psychologists recommend that visualizing your future self can empower your decision-making. By considering how you’ll feel about today’s choices down the line, you can gain insight into what truly matters in the present. Rather than waiting for that elusive “perfect” moment, reflecting on how your future self might perceive your current actions can help clarify your priorities.
Why Waiting Too Long Takes an Emotional Toll
Prolonging the right moment often results in emotional buildup. Vasudevan, for example, recognized that her procrastination in unpacking was not just a physical delay but an emotional one, hindering her ability to fully move on. This kind of waiting can lead to feelings of frustration, guilt, and even resentment as we deny ourselves the opportunity to truly live.
Practical Tips for Embracing the Present with Your Future Self in Mind
Set Small Goals
Instead of holding out for an all-or-nothing situation, establish small, achievable goals that bring you closer to the future self you envision.
Visualize Success
Take a moment each day to picture what success looks like for your future self. It serves as a gentle reminder that the journey forward starts with one step today.
Act with Self-Compassion
Remember to be kind to yourself.
