I have a weird hack I use to get things done that I don’t really feel like doing sometimes. I divide life up into two separate “me’s.” There is current me, that probably doesn’t feel like meal prepping, brushing my teeth, working out, or (insert mundane task here), but then there’s also “future me” that will be really glad I did these things.
Future me is the one that won’t have to cook dinner tomorrow night because there’s a meal already prepared by past me. Future me is the one that will have to pay to sit through having cavities filled if past me doesn’t brush her teeth. Future me is the one that will feel so much better if past me stuck to her workouts. I almost think of future me as a separate person, like a friend that I don’t want to let down. In this way, I motivate myself to do things now that will make my life easier later.
I fold and put away my clothes for future me. I make my bed for future me. When it comes down to it, so much of my daily tasks are gifts I’m making for my own future self and then when I do pull out a fresh outfit, I feel a kind of gratitude that I am taking care of myself in this way. Future me is glad I scheduled those appointments ahead of time. Future me is grateful I chose the healthy meal yesterday instead of junk food when I step on the scale. Future me is happy that I chose to sit through a class instead of napping when I need that little burst of inspiration.
Often, the best thing I can do for the future me is the very thing I’m least motivated to do in the present, so framing it this way helps me push through that and just get it done.
Give it a try and maybe future you will thank you!
Geek Yoga 