Edition 15
Welcome to February’s Future You.
Not only is this the first instalment for 2024 but it’s also the first one coming to you via our new home on Substack.
This is the second year I have decided to pause publishing in January. To push back against the pressure to hit the ground running and take a more considered approach, easing into the year. There are few opportunities for reflection as valuable as a New Year, and I can highly recommend giving this sacred time the space and attention it deserves.
And what better way to launch into the next chapter of Future You than by reminding ourselves why we’re here?
While I don’t pretend to know the meaning of life, Future You is founded on the philosophy of doing your best. This means working towards the best version of yourself every day, knowing full well there is no destination, just the journey. That the only way to leave any worthwhile legacy is to live a life you’re proud of.
There’s something liberating about being a lifelong learner. The acceptance that there is no such thing as perfect, only progress. The Stoics considered themselves works in progress - there were no perfect Stoics, only people trying to get better. Or, as Organisational Psychologist Adam Grant refers to it ‘improving mode’: your brain’s higher-level setting…who wants to know exactly how good you are and every single thing you can do to get better.
But, before we get too philosophical, Future You isn’t about shoulds and shouldn’ts, rather it’s a creative exploration of life. An attempt to clarify my thinking, as I collect common threads and weave them into themes. It’s as much about creativity and culture as it is about self-development and growth.
My biggest fear is not failure, but regret - to get to the end of my life and wonder what if. I want to be able to look back and know I challenged myself and gave it my best shot.
For all those who are not content with settling, join me on this journey as we explore what life has to offer if you keep an open mind and pursue what sparks your interest.
Wherever you go, there you are
Not only is this the title of the valuable book by Jon Kabat-Zinn, but a core truth too. It is tempting to think that travel, a change of scenery or a new job will change us. That we can escape our problems and things will be different in a new setting. But the reality is, this is rarely the case.
The one place you cannot flee is yourself. Wherever you go, there you are. And you will always be where you leave yourself, your issues right there with you.
There is no avoiding the problems and fears you face. The only way out is through. The best way to ensure a peaceful and happy ‘home’ is to commit to doing the work. To be present and face the challenges life throws your way. To give yourself the peace of mind that you tried your best.
In the words of Jon Kabat-Zinn: This is it…what is happening, is happening.
When life gets narrow
We all have moments in life that deliver perspective and clarity, like a punch to the face. Usually in times of crisis, we suddenly realise that so much of what we have been chasing after or focusing on really isn’t that important. When our world narrows, we suddenly see all the things we have been taking for granted - usually our health and loved ones.
The trick is to not wait until misfortune strikes and life gets ‘real’ to get your priorities straight. Work on being present and grateful. Get clear on what actually matters today and make sure it has the time and attention it deserves. Everything else comes second.
Need some help to narrow your focus? Here are two things I’ve learnt:
Without your health you have nothing.
No man is an island. We all need relationships and a sense of connection.
And some advice from people whose lives have become narrow:
Ryan Holiday’s interview with Christina Pazsitzky
Greg McKweon’s conversation with Erik Newton
Life happens in seasons
Last week I was having acupuncture, staring out through the skylight, watching the clouds go by, when my practitioner asked me what season it was. Or at least that’s what I thought she asked me. Slightly perplexed, I began to answer that it was winter and while I had always thought spring started on the first of March, apparently the 20th was technically the first day of the new season.
Far from interested in the official start date of spring, she patiently explained that she meant what season did I feel it was. Turns out that, much like the weather, our bodies also have seasons - however, these do not always run in conjunction with the climate.
A thought-provoking concept, this is one I have been contemplating for the past year. In her book I Didn’t Do the Thing Today, Madeliene Dore refers to patterns of absorbing and squeezing - reminding us there is an ebb and flow to our days and it’s unrealistic to expect the same level of output consistently.
If we look at the bigger picture, this makes sense. As nature so clearly demonstrates, life happens in cycles. As part of this ecosystem, are we seriously expecting to escape this reality? Or, as Dore shared, which has become one of my favourite quotes, ‘If nothing in nature blooms all year, why should you?’
While it is still very much winter for me, I have noted the first signs of spring. No longer plunged into darkness at four pm, we have been blessed with some beautiful (dare I say warm) sunny days with the first shoots of cherry blossom and daffodils brightening the bare landscape. With any luck, I’ll have transitioned into my personal spring well before the official season starts!
PONDER:
“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” - Carl Rogers
That's it for this month. I hope this instalment of Future You has sparked some inspiration. If so, please do share it with a friend or colleague who could also find it useful.
I’d love to hear about your biggest fear or what season it currently is for you in the comments below.
Best,
SJ
Love this! I think (and hope) I am in a season of rest and healing. My biggest fear is also one of my greatest loves - writing!