Do you feel a connection to your future self? How closely do you relate to the vision you have for your future? This article explores the importance of feeling a sense of continuity between who we are today and who we will become.
Understanding Continuity of Self
Many of us occasionally imagine our future selves. You might picture yourself with greying hair, but do you have a clear sense of who that person is or what they would be doing? If you were to envision your future self, what kind of person would you be? Who is that person, and do you feel a connection to them? How do they differ from who you are now? What are they doing, where do they live, and what similarities do they share with the person you are today?
Do you envision your future self as essentially the same person, just a bit older? Or do you imagine a future where you’re radically different—living in a new country, pursuing a different career, or leading an entirely different life? A person who sees themselves as largely unchanged demonstrates a strong continuity of self. In contrast, someone who pictures themselves as vastly different from who they are now may feel a weaker connection or continuity with their future self.
The Importance of Continuity
Continuity of self means having a connection with your future self. Without this sense of continuity, you may hope to one day become entirely different. It matters because when you have a strong connection to your future self, you understand that your actions today will shape your future. In contrast, someone who feels disconnected from their future self may be less responsible, feeling detached from the person they will become.
Research shows that individuals with a stronger sense of continuity between their present and future selves are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as exercising regularly. They are also more likely to save money. This makes sense: the more connected you feel to your future self, the more motivated you are to make decisions today that will benefit your future well-being.
Ways to Strengthen Your Continuity of Self
If you’ve identified that there is room to improve your continuity of self, there are several steps you can take. Keep in mind that who you are today lays the groundwork for who you will become in the future. Start by visualizing your future self with concrete goals that you can work on today. For example, if you aspire to live in another country, what steps can you take now to make that happen? If financial security is important to you, how can you begin saving or increasing your earnings now? Begin by recognizing the differences between your present and future self and take intentional actions to bridge those gaps.
Respect Your Future Self
The choices you make today should support and honor your future self, rather than adding more burden to their journey. How can you assist your future self? How can you truly connect with that person, understanding that who you are today is still part of the person you want to become? Start by clarifying where you want to be and allowing yourself the freedom to visualize that future. Then, begin taking steps to honor your future self by making decisions today that lay the foundation for the person you want to be, instead of expecting a future version of yourself to clean up what you leave behind. The “you” today is the same “you” in the future—it’s the continuous self.