Future Self Dialogue

Happy September to all my lovely bees! 🐝

A couple of months ago, I took a class called Social Psychology. The entire class was graded based on activities designed to teach us about different areas of social psychology in a hands-on way. And let me tell you… I feel like I learned so much more in that class because of how interactive it was.

However, there was one activity that really stuck out to me. It's called the Future Self Dialogue. Truly one of the most eye-opening activities I’ve done—in school and outside of it—so I wanted to share it with you all.

🧠 A little science behind this:

There’s a level of our awareness called “the self.” Within the self, we have something called public self-awareness and private self-awareness.

With how much time we spend online scrolling and how often we're around others, our private self-awareness is on the decline—which is detrimental to our mental health. Think of it like this: about five decades ago, people would sit on their porches after a long day and just rock in a chair, with nothing but their own thoughts.

For some, the idea of sitting alone with their thoughts sounds horrendous—but that’s exactly my point. We love to distract ourselves when we’re alone by scrolling, so we don’t have to face our inner thoughts. But sometimes, those inner thoughts can bring clarity to the situations we’re struggling with—if we know how to handle them.

💌 So how do we do this?

Well, my professor had us take a journal and write a letter to our future selves, ten years from now.

Ask questions about the future. Talk about the good things going on in your life. Ask for advice about current situations. Write hopeful, encouraging messages. This part should take about 15–20 minutes.

Here's where it gets a little weird—but hear me out:

Now, turn the page and write a letter back to yourself, as if you are ten years older than you are right now.

Write from the perspective of someone who has accomplished everything you’re dreaming of right now. Describe your life, answer the questions your younger self asked, offer advice, hope, and encouragement. Talk about the steps it took to achieve your goals. Tell your younger self how proud you are of them—and remind them they are exactly where they’re meant to be.

This part should take around 30 minutes.

Lastly:

As your current self, write a short thank-you letter to back your future self. Thank them for the advice. Praise them for how much they’ve helped you. Show gratitude for their kindness and all the hard work they’ve done.

This should take around 10 more minutes.

And that’s it.

BUT...

Here’s the rule: You can’t pick up your phone during the entire process. This is meant to be screen-free time for your brain to just be with itself. For your private self to think and process where you are in life.

You may not even realize what you’re writing as you’re writing it—but somehow, you’re giving yourself answers about how to accomplish your dreams. You’re solving your own questions. And for the ones you can’t solve? You’re giving yourself hope, comfort, and reassurance that things will still work out—because life will still be beautiful.

Sometimes when we’re in a low place or struggling with something, we get so overwhelmed that we distract ourselves instead of coming up with solutions. But this? This is a tool that allows you to look within.

🎓 If you’re graduating high school this year and have no clue what you want to do...try this. I bet you’ll figure something out that you didn’t realize before.

🏫 If you’re in college and wondering whether you’re in the right place...write that letter. 🐝 If you're in any transition period of your life, write this. Maybe you got a new job or you lost your job. Maybe you are going through a hard breakup for friendship situation. This can be applied to so so many areas for all ages.

This exercise was so eye-opening for me. As someone who constantly struggles with feeling behind, it helped me realize that I’m not behind. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be in life—and the rest will figure itself out. I am fully capable of achieving my dreams.

And so are you.

I hope this post finds you well. Happy September, my little bees. 🐝💛

With love,Brooklyn