When we think about relationships, we tend to think about our connections with others—our partners, friends, family members, and co-workers. This post focuses on a relationship that often gets neglected: our relationship with ourselves. When is the last time you’ve taken time and space to connect with yourself? This writing exercise will prompt you to do just that—to sit with yourself, enjoy your own company, and know yourself more deeply. This is the best possible future self exercise developed by psychologist Laura King (King, 2001).

The Prompt

Think about your life in the future. Imagine that everything has gone as well as it possibly could. You have worked hard and succeeded at accomplishing all of your life goals. Think of this as the realization of all of your life dreams. Now, write about what you imagined. (King, 2001).

If you are a person living with chronic illness, you may have questions about how to work with this prompt. Researchers recognize that this writing exercise may be challenging for people living with illness, as they may be fearful of what the future will bring (Talbot, Fournier, and Hendriks, 2021). Acknowledge the fear and try to let it go as you write. This exercise is about imagining the........

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