Dear Future Self

I know many times, we have heard many people ask us about our future and it can get pretty annoying or overwhelming. I often think it can be scary to speak about our future because there is so much unknown information that we want answers for. However, recently, as I finish my summer semester for school, I was assigned to write a letter to my future self that I will revisit 5 years from now. Have you ever done this? What did your letter look like?

I stared at my blank paper and was totally unsure of what to write. I recall my professor telling me I had 10 minutes to write and I noticed 3 minutes had passed and I had 0 words on my document. I wondered why it was so hard to write to my future self. I noticed I had a lot of goals I wanted to achieve however, it was hard to speak about them. 

I realized I was afraid of speaking about myself because I was unsure of what the future was going to hold for me. I was afraid to see my goals not play out how I had planned them. However, I started to think that I truly had no evidence for my assumptions therefore,  I took the step and started writing to my future self. While typing, I realized the more real my goals began to feel; they were not just thoughts anymore, but rather future careers and way of living. After I finished typing, I knew this was something I should not be afraid of. Many people believe thinking of the future is intimidating, but while I had to do this, I realized it made the future more comfortable. It provided me with a sense of purpose and something to look forward to. Also, I became aware of my intentions and found greater meaning in the things I was engaging with in the present. What are you looking forward to in your life?

I hope that you can partake in this exercise and step away from the doubts and assumptions we can create in our lives. Perhaps you feel like there is no hope or purpose for something to look forward to. I encourage you to reflect on your life and the future you want for yourself. While I recognize there is a lot of uncertainty in this world, we are certain of one thing, the choices we make. Take this opportunity to discover yourself and notice the growth, maturity, and emotional stability you can gain from simply writing a letter to your future self. Hence, I hope you reflect on your future self and start to address and gear yourself  towards the kind of person you want to be. 

Written by : Rachel Garcia; Masters Intern at Olive Branch

If you need support, live in the Chicago area, and would like to speak to a professional counselor, please contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.