The Future. It's the "F" word that is socially acceptable, yet I think it's more daunting than the actual "F" word. For someone who has a futuristic mind, I worry about what will be happening ten years from now rather than what will happen in ten minutes from now. Likewise, our society is always moving forward, waiting for the next iPhone or eye shadow palette to come out, and then on to the next shortly after.

We tend to focus on what's to come rather than appreciate what is in the now. Sometimes we see things in the media and set unrealistic expectations for our future and match what is being viewed. We perceive the future in our minds like we can control it by the way every detail is mapped out. It not only leads to disappointment when we realize our makeup is not going to look like Jaclyn Hills, but it leaves us feeling like we are not good enough. I am guilty of this, but I've recently discovered that we are all wasting our time. Yes, you read that right. We are wasting our resources, efforts, and precious time that could be spent changing the present (that will ultimately lead to a better tomorrow). For example, you probably found this article on a social media site, and without consciously knowing it you've most likely been on that social media site for at least half an hour. (You're probably looking at the clock thinking "it's 6:30 already?") How many times a day do you pick up your phone? I dare you to count the times that your thumb reaches for Facebook, or your messages everyday. The average teen spends about nine hours on their phone daily. If we were to put our attention towards the friends in front of us, instead of clicking on the trailer to the movie that's coming out next month, our relationships would be stronger. If we were to eliminate distractions during homework or work and fully engage our brains in what we are doing, we could be done in half the time and have that extra time to actually finish the last episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Instead of worrying that you will fail your bio test next week, sit down and make a list of everything you can do (whether it be studying for 15 minutes everyday or attending the review session) to earn the A. Ask yourself: “Am I doing everything I can to get an A on my Bio test?” rather than worry about it and binge watch Netflix. Of course this is easier said than done but I’ve put my theory to the test. I had a 300 page book to read along with a ten page paper to do this week, so instead of putting it off until the night before like I did last week, I divided my reading and writing into small manageable goals to reach everyday. Once I’ve reached my goals for the day I reward myself with Netflix or food (every college kid’s favorite). Everybody wants to achieve their daily goals with time to spare and a mind at ease, right? Consider implementing tasks into your today instead of pushing it onto tomorrow, because tomorrow will come with another set of tasks.

“We spend our whole lives worrying about the future, planning for the future, trying to predict the future, as if figuring it out will cushion the blow. But the future is always changing. The future is the home of our deepest fears and wildest hopes. But one thing is certain when it finally reveals itself. The future is never the way we imagined it.”

The quote is from Grey’s Anatomy of course. :)