Imagine yourself 10 years from now, looking back at this very moment in your life. What would you see and feel? What kind of person would you have become? These are some of the questions that your future self might ponder when reflecting on this moment.
As you look back, you might see how much you have grown and changed since this moment. You might reflect on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. The struggles that may seem overwhelming to you now might be seen as mere bumps in the road on your journey to success and fulfillment.
Your future self might also see the potential and possibilities that you have yet to tap into. You might be amazed at how far you have come, but also recognize that there is still so much more to achieve and experience. Your future self may have developed a greater sense of purpose and direction, knowing exactly where you want to go and what you want to achieve.
Additionally, your future self might reflect on the relationships that were important to you at this moment. You might be grateful for the people who were by your side during the tough times, and for the new friendships and connections that you have made over the years. You might also see how your relationships have changed and evolved, and how they have impacted your personal growth and well-being.
Ultimately, your future self might feel a sense of pride and gratitude for the person that you are today. You may have accomplished things that you never thought were possible, and grown in ways that you never imagined. You might look back at this moment as a pivotal point in your life, where you took a step forward towards your goals and dreams.
There is research that suggest that the practice of mental time-travel and future-oriented thinking can have positive effects on emotional well-being.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who engaged in future-oriented thinking, such as imagining positive future events or planning for the future, reported greater positive affect and life satisfaction compared to those who engaged in present-oriented or past-oriented thinking (Bryant et al., 2011). This suggests that imagining a positive future for oneself can have a positive impact on emotional well-being.
Another study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that the practice of mental time-travel, which involves mentally projecting oneself into the past or future, can enhance feelings of connectedness and meaning in life (Randles et al., 2011). This suggests that imagining oneself in the future can help individuals gain a greater sense of purpose and direction in life, which are important components of emotional well-being.
Overall, while there is limited research specifically on imagining your future self looking back at your present moment, there is evidence to suggest that future-oriented thinking and mental time-travel can have positive effects on emotional well-being. Further research is needed to explore the specific effects of imagining one’s future self on emotional well-being.
Here’s a daily meditation for mental time travel in the future:
Find a quiet, comfortable place where you won’t be interrupted. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position, and take a few deep breaths to help you relax.
Close your eyes and bring to mind a specific goal or aspiration that you have for your future self. It could be something related to your career, relationships, health, or personal growth. Imagine yourself achieving this goal or aspiration in vivid detail.
Spend a few moments reflecting on how you will feel once you have achieved this goal. Will it bring you joy, fulfillment, or a sense of accomplishment? Allow yourself to fully embrace these positive feelings.
Imagine yourself in your future self, looking back at this moment in your life when you were setting this goal. See yourself reflecting on the progress and growth that you’ve made since this moment, and how you overcame any challenges or obstacles along the way.
Spend a few moments reflecting on how you will have grown and changed as a person in the years since this moment. What new skills, knowledge, or perspectives will you have gained? How will your relationships, career, or overall sense of well-being have evolved?
Finally, bring your attention back to the present moment. Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to feel a sense of hope, optimism, and purpose for your future. Carry these positive feelings with you throughout your day.
Repeat this meditation daily or as often as you’d like, adjusting the length of time spent on each step to suit your personal preferences. By regularly engaging in mental time travel to your future self, you can cultivate a greater sense of purpose, direction, and motivation in your life, which can have positive effects on your emotional well-being.
So as you go through life, remember that the choices you make and the actions you take today will shape the person you will become in the future. Your future self is counting on you to make the most of this moment, and to create a life that you will be proud of when you look back on it.
Ebrahim Mongratie 
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