Your Future Self Is a Stranger

Stop writing checks your future self can't cash

Dear Unlearners,

Stop making promises to someone you don't know.

Your future self is a concept you created to feel better about today's choices. A mythical character who will somehow love salads, wake up at 5 AM, and have infinite willpower.

We're all guilty. We sign up for annual gym memberships in December. Start projects with impossible deadlines. Make commitments that assume we'll transform into different people overnight.

Then we blame ourselves when this stranger doesn't show up.

The truth is, your future self is just you with more deadlines and broken promises. They won't magically have more discipline or energy. They'll be dealing with whatever mess you're creating right now.

That deadline you just accepted because "future you" will handle it? They're already hating you for it. That toxic relationship you're not ending because "future you" will be stronger? They'll be even more trapped. That debt you're building because "future you" will earn more? They'll still have your spending h…