Future self journaling is an excellent tool for planning for the future and framing the future in the right mindset. Future self journaling is a super useful tool but is, sadly, a bit overlooked in the journaling world. Additionally, many people who know about it don’t know how to get started. You may be wondering, what is future self journaling, and how do I get started?
Future self journaling is a type of journaling that places emphasis on the betterment of yourself in an attempt to prepare for the future. Future self journaling is a practice that focuses on present actions, behaviors, and patterns that affect your future self.
If you wish to learn more about what future self journaling is and how to get started, then fear not. This article will serve as the ultimate guide to future self journaling and will hopefully answer any questions you may have.
What Is Future Self Journaling?
Future self journaling is a way of linking your present self to your future self. This is done through conversational journal entries. Some people format their journal entries as letters to their future selves, whereas some people like to focus more on their current behaviors and habits and how they would like to change them in the future.
This form of journaling has many important benefits that will be discussed later in this article. Some of the main things to get out of future self journaling are better time management, the ability to break unhealthy habits, become more intentional with your actions, and having a better connection with yourself.
There are a number of ways to have a successful bullet journal, and the beauty is in the personalization. A successful bullet journal is not determined by any outside sources, but by how effective it is for your purposes.
How to Start Future Self Journaling
There are a few simple things you will need to start a future self journal. Simply put: you’ll need something to write with and something to write on. There are plenty of options to choose from.
Some people opt for fancy journals while some are okay with plain spiral-bound notebooks.
The same principle applies when choosing your writing utensils. These utensils can be as simple or as intricate as you want. You can use your favorite pencil or a professional line calligraphy pen. Whatever you feel comfortable using is a perfect utensil to use.
After you choose your medium, you should set aside time to actually do the bullet journaling.
Some people prefer to journal as soon as they wake up in the morning. However, some people find it more beneficial to journal at night before they go to bed. Whenever you choose to journal, it is important to stick to this time as best you can in order to start forming the habit.
What you put in your journal is entirely up to you. Read on to the next section to see just some of the many prompts you can use in your future self journal.
Personalizing Your Journal
There are countless ways to format your future self journal. Here are just a few prompts to look at to try and get the creative juices flowing. Maybe some on the list here will give you some ideas of your own.
- Write what your future self will experience more of. What will be some of the experiences your future self will feel when you accomplish your goals? Will you experience more joy? More peace? More freedom? Whatever your future self may experience, write about it.
- Write about how your future self will feel. It is important when doing these previous entries to maintain the connection to your future self. For an entry like this, think of the feelings you want for your future self. Maybe you want your future self to feel more confident or more capable. Write about the feelings you will experience when you accomplish your goals.
- Write about shifting patterns of behavior. These are yet another way of making your goals a reality. Some examples of this are, “I will practice breathing techniques and being mindful rather than giving in to my anxieties,” “I will guide my mind to positive thoughts when negative ones begin to cloud my perception,” or “I will focus on getting back on task when I begin to feel distracted.” Having more specific ways of accomplishing your goals makes them more attainable.
- Write affirmative statements. Affirmative statements allow you to focus on your present actions to better your future self. Some examples include, “I will be at peace today,” “I will be happy today,” or “I will be productive today.” Writing these things into existence makes them feel much more attainable.
- Write about practicing behaviors in real life. Examples include: “I will practice meditation,” “I will focus on positive things,” or “I will prioritize important tasks.” These are also written as a task, like affirmative statements. However, these allow for more specific, goal-oriented statements. This makes it easier to not feel overwhelmed with your tasks.
- Write about the things you are grateful for. Sometimes you’re so focused on what you want in the future that you forget how much your present self has. Similarly, you forget how much you have grown from your past self. It is vital to be appreciative for all of the seasons in life you have gone through, and all the things that you presently have. Making a list of these things can put you in a good headspace to achieve your goals.
- Write daily mantras to follow. It is beneficial to start each day with a goal in mind. Writing down a mantra at the start of each day is an easy way to do this! A mantra can be your favorite quote, a piece of advice someone told you, or just a general thought to provide some focus to your day.
- Write about when you may have an opportunity to be your future self. What opportunities will you have throughout your day to practice the intentions you have set? If your goal is to be more confident, write about situations you may encounter/did encounter that made you practice confidence.
These are just a few of the things you can write about to practice future self journaling. The possibilities are limitless.
Benefits of Future Self Journaling
The benefits of future self journaling are vast. There are so many great things you can get out of future self journaling.
One example is a better sense of self-awareness. Being connected to the self is so important when planning for the future and better oneself for the future.
Another extremely important benefit is becoming more aware of your goals. Becoming aware of goals and organizing them in a way in which they are more attainable is an excellent way to achieve them.
Just a few other benefits of future self journaling are becoming more ethical, being comfortable with delayed gratification, and taking more care of oneself both mentally and physically.
Conclusion
There are so many ways to become more connected to yourself, both in the present and future tense. In spite of all the ways you have to connect, one stands above all others: future self journaling.
If you want to accomplish your goals and become a more connected and intentional person, then future self journaling may be for you. Start your future self journal today to start seeing all the amazing benefits there are.
Sources
- The Holistic Psychologist: How To Get The Most Out of Future Self Journaling
- Urban Wisdoms: How To Start Future Self Journaling (and Why You Should)
- Days of Calm: How My Life Changed After 30 Days of ‘Future Self’ Journaling
- Tracking Happiness: Future Self Journaling: How To, Studies, and Examples
- Peaceful Dumpling: Feeling Stuck? How Future Self Journaling Can Transform Your Life
