"According to new research by Karlstad University's Jonas Blom and colleagues, the ability to envision the future could be highly valuable as you make important life decisions. For instance, Benny is at a choice point in a new relationship where he could either commit to this partner or suggest they take things more slowly. Affecting this decision is his assessment of how things are going now, but maybe he should do some crystal ball-gazing to see if he thinks he and his new partner will be as happy in 20 years as they are at the moment."
"When the future self feels distant, long-term goals can seem less personally relevant, and motivation to act based on future consequences may decrease. This complicates the process of projecting into the future, as 20 years can feel like a lifetime away, making it challenging to connect current choices with future outcomes."
Constructing a sense of self often relies on memories of past experiences. New research indicates that envisioning a future self can enhance connections to personal values. This projection aids in making fulfilling life choices by linking past experiences with future aspirations. The challenge lies in the uncertainty of the future, which can make long-term goals feel less relevant. When individuals perceive their future selves as distant, motivation to act on future consequences diminishes, impacting decision-making.
Read at Psychology Today
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