When you’re going through something difficult, how do you respond when someone asks, “Are you really going to care about this 10 years from now?”
If you’re anything like me, you might think, “Yes, I’ll definitely care about this 10 years from now! It’s a big deal, and I won’t just laugh it off later!”
But let’s take a step back. I want to guide you through an exercise that may shift your perspective. Even though what you’re dealing with feels overwhelming right now, it likely won’t be as significant in 10 years.
Let’s Begin
Think about how old you are today. Are you 20, 30, 40, or 50? Now, let’s reverse the question we’re usually asked. Instead of imagining how you’ll feel in 10 years, let’s look back 10 years from today.
Take your current age and subtract 10 years. What was your life like back then? Where were you living? Who were you spending your time with? What were you most focused on?
Chances are, you’ll struggle to remember everything. In fact, you might not even recall exactly what you were doing on this day 10 years ago. Yet, whatever it was, it probably felt important at the time—maybe even overwhelming.
But now? You likely don’t remember most of those details, and the things that were stressing you out back then don’t carry the same weight today.
A Shift in Perspective
It’s hard to believe that what feels so intense today won’t feel the same 10 years from now. But if you think back to 10 years ago, you’ll realize that’s exactly what happened. What was once a big deal has faded into the background of your memory.
[Pause for a moment and let this sink in.]
This is what I like to call a brain hack. I often use brain hacks with my clients to help them gain a new perspective and feel more grounded. Our brains are constantly feeding us thoughts and feelings, and we tend to believe everything they tell us. But sometimes, our brains are inaccurate, especially when they convince us that how we feel right now is how we’ll feel forever.
The Impact of Today’s Experiences
Of course, this doesn’t mean that what’s happening to you today won’t have consequences. Who we are today is shaped by what happened to us 10 years ago. If different things had occurred back then, we would be different people now. So, yes, today’s events matter because they shape who we’ll become in the future.
However, will you feel the same way about these events 10 years from now as you do today? Probably not. You might have some lingering feelings, but they’ll be different. You’ll likely have a general memory of what happened around this time, but you won’t feel as intensely about it.
Looking Ahead
Just like we’re not consumed by the same issues we faced 10 years ago, we won’t be overwhelmed by today’s problems in the future. The things that feel so big now will likely fade, just as past concerns have. You might still have some residual emotions about what’s happening now, but they won’t be as strong.
So, whatever’s going on in your life right now, chances are, you won’t care about it 10 years from now.
[Pause again.]
I hope this brain hack brings you some relief. It’s a reminder that no matter how overwhelming things may feel today, time has a way of easing the intensity, helping you move forward with greater clarity and peace.
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