Engage in a written conversation with an AI chatbot designed to simulate your future self, like the MIT Media Lab’s ‘Future You.’ This provides personalized suggestions and motivates you to adopt positive habits and cherish what truly matters, based on a lifelike interaction.
Use virtual reality or aging apps (e.g., Snapchat’s time machine filter) to see a realistic version of your older face. This vivid interaction can lead to more future-oriented choices, such as increased saving or investment, by putting you in the mindset of your future self.
Pen a short note to your future self about an upcoming decision or current life perspective. This practice forces you to take your future self’s perspective, encouraging better treatment and more future-oriented behaviors like increased exercise.
Consciously shift your thinking to consider how actions can benefit both your present and future self simultaneously, rather than viewing them as competing interests. This mindset helps you make decisions that foster overall happiness and well-being across time.
Actively seek ways to balance immediate gratification with long-term goals, such as spending less time on work to nurture relationships or investing in experiences now that you’ll fondly remember later. This approach ensures you are truly kind to your future self by allowing happiness in both the present and future.
Avoid putting off enjoyable activities, using special items, or nurturing friendships by waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment, as this time may never arrive. This ensures you savor life’s positive moments and maintain important relationships, preventing future regret over missed opportunities.
Question whether constant ‘productive’ actions (e.g., checking emails during family time) are truly what your future self will value, or if being fully present in meaningful moments would be more cherished. This helps shift focus from relentless efficiency to creating valuable memories and experiences.
Before committing to future obligations, consider what your future self would genuinely want to do, rather than automatically saying ‘yes’ in the present moment. This prevents chronic overcommitment and future regret, leading to a happier, less stressed future self.
Recognize and actively counter the tendency to be excessively future-oriented, which can ironically make life worse in both the present and the future. This awareness prevents you from sacrificing current happiness for an imagined future benefit that may not materialize or be appreciated.
After using tools like AI chatbots or letter writing, practice simulating conversations or reflections with your future self internally. This develops a continuous ability to consider your future self’s desires without constant reliance on external technology.