Helping out future you is an underrated act of self-care, like leaving tiny surprises that make life less stressful. But let’s be real, most of the time we treat future us like an afterthought. We say yes to plans we don’t actually want, leave the mess for “later,” and assume we’ll magically wake up tomorrow with motivation, energy, and the answers to life’s biggest questions. Spoiler: we won’t.
So, here are 10 simple ways to take care of your future self, because no one else will do it for you.
1. Say No to Things That Will Steal Your Time
If it already feels like too much when you say yes, imagine how it will feel when the time actually comes. Protect your energy. Decline things that don’t fit into your schedule, your priorities, or your capacity. Future you will thank you when you have that extra time for yourself instead of drowning in obligations.
💡 Pro tip: If saying no is hard, try “I’d love to, but I don’t have the bandwidth right now.” Works like a charm.
2. Tidy Up When You Can, So You Don’t Regret It Later
Future you does not want to come home to a disaster. And let's be honest, past you had no respect for future you when they left that pile of clothes on the chair. Take a few minutes to clean up when you have the energy, so tomorrow feels like a fresh start instead of an overwhelming mess.
💡 Pro tip: If you’re not in the mood to clean, set a 5-minute timer and see what you can get done. Usually, you’ll just keep going.
3. Move Your Body—Even Just a Little
Exercise isn’t about punishing yourself for what you ate. It’s about taking care of future you, the one who doesn’t want to feel stiff, sluggish, or regretful. Even a short walk or stretching makes a difference.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t think of it as a workout, think of it as a favor to yourself in 10 years.
4. Eat in a Way That Helps You, Not Hurts You
No, you don’t have to go on a strict meal plan or quit everything fun. But fueling your body well now means you’ll have more energy later. Make it easy for future you: keep good options around, drink more water, and eat food that makes you feel good.
💡 Pro tip: Think long-term. Small changes make the biggest impact.
5. Schedule Those Annoying Doctor’s Appointments
You know what’s worse than going to the doctor? Ignoring something until it becomes a big problem. Take care of the small things now, whether it’s a check-up, a dentist appointment, or just getting that lingering issue checked.
💡 Pro tip: Book it as soon as you think about it. Future you deserves peace of mind.
6. Decide What YOU Want, So Others Don’t Decide For You
If you don’t know what you want, other people’s opinions, expectations, and priorities will take over. Spend time figuring out what’s important to you -your goals, your values, your vision- so that when life throws options at you, you can choose for yourself.
💡 Pro tip: Write it down. Even if it’s messy. Clarity starts there.
7. Notice What You Can Improve
Life is a work in progress. If something keeps frustrating you, notice it. Maybe your routine needs tweaking. Maybe your time management isn’t working. Maybe you need to communicate better. The sooner you acknowledge what can be improved, the sooner future you can benefit from those changes.
💡 Pro tip: Instead of being hard on yourself, just ask: “What would make this easier next time?”
8. Get Enough Sleep—Seriously
We’ve all been there. One more episode. One more scroll. One more thing to check. And then, next thing you know, future you is exhausted, grumpy, and living off coffee. The best gift you can give yourself? Rest.
💡 Pro tip: Start winding down earlier than you think you need to. You’ll never regret a good night’s sleep.
9. Plan Ahead (Just a Little)
Not saying you have to have a 5-year plan, but preparing even a little bit makes life so much easier. Whether it’s laying out your clothes the night before, prepping meals, or just knowing what tomorrow looks like, future you will be grateful.
💡 Pro tip: Write a to-do list before bed. It clears your mind and sets you up for a smoother day.
10. Treat Yourself Like Someone You Love
At the end of the day, everything on this list comes down to self-respect. If you wouldn’t want your best friend to be exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on fumes, why would you let yourself live that way?
💡 Pro tip: Be kinder to yourself. Future you is counting on you.
Future You is in Your Hands
The life you want doesn’t magically appear, it’s built by the small, everyday choices you make. Every time you take care of yourself, set a boundary, or clean up something small, you’re making life easier for the person you’ll be tomorrow, next month, or even years from now.
So, what’s one thing you can do today to help future you? Tell me in the comments! 💡✨