Commit to Be Fit: Get to know, help your future self

I recently got back into the groove of early morning workouts, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee makes it much easier for me to get out of bed. Even though preparing my coffee the night before takes less than five minutes, there have been many times I have skipped it because I was just “too tired.”

A few weeks ago, exhausted, I was just about to hop into bed when I remembered I hadn’t prepped the coffee. Dang! I had a decision to make: either go back downstairs and prepare the coffee, or go to sleep. I literally thought to myself, “Tomorrow morning I’ll be so happy I made my coffee tonight.” So, I went downstairs and made my coffee for the next morning. This was the first time I thought about “doing a favor for my future self.”

Your future self

This whole scenario was a major “ah-ha” for me, as it was the first time I thought about doing the “uncomfortable thing” in the moment as a loving “favor” for myself in the future. When researching this topic of one’s future self, I discovered the book, “Your Future Self. How to Make Tomorrow Better Today,” by Hal Hershfield. It was a fascinating read, learning how our relationship with our future selves has the ability to significantly impact our lives.

Your future self: A stranger?

One of the most astonishing studies I read concerned itself with how we view ourselves in the future. Hershfield and his team demonstrated with brain scans that many of us think about our future selves as someone entirely separate from who we are right now. Research revealed that when individuals were asked to think about themselves in the future, the same part of their brain lit up as if they were thinking about a stranger! Fun side note: during an interview, Hershfield admitted that they were so astounded by these findings, that they actually redid the tests to make sure they were correct — and they were. People often view their future selves as strangers rather than as extensions of their current identities.

This phenomenon, known as "temporal self-discontinuity," leads to decisions favoring immediate gratification over long-term benefits, such as drinking excessively, eating unhealthy foods, or excessive spending. Even though we know these habits often have a negative impact down the road, we do them anyway. Studies show that the more connected an individual is with their future self, the better decisions they make for themselves in the present.

How to feel more connected to your future self

This summer I was able to witness one of the coolest demonstrations of someone honoring not only their future self, but the future selves of those they love. We went to a wedding where the reception hall was full of vibrant, colorful flowers. When I complimented how beautiful the flowers were, someone at our table mentioned that the groom had grown the flowers himself.

Imagine the groom thoughtfully choosing the perfect seeds, planting them in good soil, and attentively watering and nurturing the soon-to-be flowers. Throughout this process, I’m sure he envisioned his future self standing beside his bride, surrounded by loved ones, all celebrating the beauty of what his past self had cultivated. This act of foresight and dedication was not just about creating a beautiful wedding day, but about making a thoughtful investment in his future happiness.

What seeds will your present self plant today for your future self to enjoy later?

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Kylie Alger is a certified wellness coach and co-owner of the Well-Woman: Body, Mind & Spirit. Comments: kylie@thewellwoman.org.