Taking Care of Your Future Self
October 2022
I write this on the cusp of my departure to India for what is sure to be an epic adventure! Steadily working at all the details that need attending to before leaving has reminded me of the power of preparation. I’ve been organizing my life so that I can enjoy this trip with as little stress as possible, and also so I can return without feeling overwhelmed by all the catching up that often follows vacation. Years ago I heard someone talk about “taking care of your future self,” a phrase I have found helpful time and time again. For example, I prepare meals ahead of time, so when I have a busy day I don’t end up grabbing something convenient but unhealthy. Taking care of my future self also means choosing to make strides toward my goals on a consistent basis, even when I don’t feel inspired or motivated. In the bigger picture, taking care of my future self shows me that everything I have chosen in the past led me to this moment, and if I want my life to take a different course I have to take actions that align with that course.
What gets in the way of taking care of future Sybil is usually a knee-jerk reaction to the same stimulus, time and time again. I want what I want now, and don’t take any time to reflect on how that response will affect my future. Can you relate? Enter the power of slowing down! Slowing down gives us the opportunity to create a gap between stimulus and response. It is found in the deep breath you take when you want to scream at someone but instead choose to speak in a calm voice. Slowing down is radical in today’s world, where we are irritated if the internet takes more than a couple of seconds to load. Going against the grain of the high speed of society takes practice! Yoga classes give us the opportunity to practice whatever it is we want to improve upon, whether it is to stay strong in the midst of challenge, to be okay with opting out of things that don’t serve us, or to learn to pause and choose wisely rather than responding habitually.