I’m a little under the weather today. Nothing bad, just that cold that has been hovering around the edges has finally caught up to me.
But, I’m well taken care of — I had homemade soup, delicious hot honey + lemon + ginger concoction to drink and soft tissues for all the sneezing. Not because someone else stocked me up, but because me of the past, thought these things would be nice to have should I want them in the future.
And let me tell you, past me was right.
I opened up the freezer and pulled out homemade chicken soup. And there’s homemade turkey soup for tomorrow. It feels so nice to be taken care of like this!
As I was thinking about this today, I realized something.
There are lots of ways present me can take care of future me, sweetly, simply.
It could be as basic as making my bed for future me, because I know how she likes to see a made bed during the day, and crawl into one at night.
Or putting things away when I’m done with them, because future me loves to find things where she expects them and resents cleaning up after past me.
Chores don’t seem so much like chores when I’m doing them as a favor.
Even if the favor is for me.
Done future you any favors lately?
Is there something that you resent (or you’re even avoiding) that could be done as a favor to future you?
Perhaps it could be not doing that thing that future you will regret.
Great title for this post and very creative content. Systems are the perfect way to take care of the future you. They’re a form of automated self-care. You seem to have it down really well.
I pay when I have been lazy and leave myself unprepared by not making a draft of that email to send out later or neglect to purchase that extra apple so I have a healthy snack when I am on the run. Then I curse my Past Me. Who wants that?
Thanks CJ. While I value systems, habits and routines, they can feel a bit stifling to me. But this way, of doing a favor for myself in the future? Makes it so much easier. And oh yes, it’s so much more fun to be grateful to past you, rather than curse past you.
I love this concept of good habits and routines being favors that present me does for future me! I’m going to work on that mindset!
By contrast, I’m under the weather as well and blogged yesterday about how almost all my cold medicines were expired! So as soon as I feel better, I’ll replenish the stock for future me!
It’s a much more fun way to think about things for me Janine. I hope you have fun with it too!
I guess the good news about all your cold medicines being expired is that you haven’t been sick enough to need them. Hope you feel better soon!
What a lovely idea Shannon! Your post was linked to by someone in my goals workshop. I was so pleasantly surprised to see that the post was written by my friend Janine’s friend Shannon. ;)
Hope you’re feeling better!
Aby
How serendipitous! Glad you like it Aby, and how fun it was shared in your workshop.
I am feeling better, thank you.