COLUMN

Focusing on the Future Leaves Us Forever Unsatisfied

Hannah Sachs Kajsa Murphy Olivia Poell

The unknown nature of the future is as easily a blessing as it is So what’s the response to any internal disappointment when a curse. For one, the future is seemingly made up of limitless perfection fails to be accurately replicated? It’s really quite simple. possibilities, which allow for hopeful imagination and inspired You remember the future is unlimited and create a new image to pursuits of “better.” On the other hand, limitless possibilities also chase. Then do it all over again, leaving dissatisfaction sprinkled allow for endless fixation on just what exactly “better” is. Since behind, casting a sour flavor over every reality you experience. the idea of “better” itself is indefinite, it comes as easily as second When the future is the only thing in sight, it’s easy for the nature to begin mentally spiraling in the name of an ever-evolving present to lose value in our mind. Instead of being a moment in goal. time itself, the present instead becomes merely a means of chasOur imagina- ing the future and a tions are un- stepping stone to restricted and unreachable infinite, and when perfection. Not only paired with the that, but obsession open-endedness with the future of the future, leaves the present we’re able to to deal with the imagine future dissatisfaction scenarios in our brought upon by heads that are reality while the incredibly person- future remains imalized and inspired ages of perfection by our most and possibility. honest desires. By doing this, we We are effort- are doing ourselves lessly able to place a disservice. The images of the present is the only picture-perfect moment in which life into our minds we exist, and if the whenever we future is not want, and since approached with the future is truly the right mindset, unknown, there’s always a slight Living your life in anticipation of the future will most definitely leave the present feeling unsatis factory and inadequate. - the present will take on sacrifices possibility these and burdens for a imaginations could actually develop into reality. That slight moment we’ll never truly experience. If we live in our minds, potential is easy to cling onto, but it ignores our imagination’s where perfection runs rampant, the present can truly never greatest flaw: the images in our head are never fool-proof compare, leaving the moment we actually get to experience against reality. forever dull and unsatisfactory. Clinging onto the minimal potentiality of dreams becoming real- Dismissing the present as merely a step to the future robs us ity is what keeps the future exciting and motivating. Picture-per- of our chances to experience and enjoy the future holistically for fect ideas of the future can act as one of the most effective what it is: dynamic and vivacious, adventurous and safe, chaotic motivations, but I’m hesitant because of how that leads to the and serene, undefined and desirable. The present always exists ignorance of reality. I do not struggle with the idea that the future while the future never does. There will always be bigger, better should be approached with optimism and dream-filled eyes that futures implanting themselves into our imaginations like seeds. fuel hard work. I struggle with the future being approached as an They’ll grow and they’ll strengthen and they’ll secure a place assurance that the images in our head will come to fruition. within us, but they’ll never enter reality as beautiful as they were No matter what dazzling heights we achieve, very rarely does in our heads. Dissatisfied, we’ll try again and again, always ignoring the exact image in our head become reality. There are always flourishing shades and comforting scents from gardens right in missing details or additional struggles or unimagined emotions front of us just to give attention to mere colors and smells that after reality plays its hand. With such a perfect image made in our are truly unknown and will forever rest buried within the walls of head, comparison comes naturally, leaving tinges of dissatisfaction our imaginations. everywhere. 26 DROPS OF INK