Can't Prepare/Process the Future

One thing I want to bring up to the counselor is my inability to prepare for the future or accept the future.

I know it's true no one can really see into the future, and I do have overall goals, but I have no emotional response to the future, especially exciting things that I can look forward to...Like for example, fall is my last semester of college and I am cleared for graduation, but I can't process that it'll actually happen. Or when I felt stuck at a toxic job, even when I was hired for my dream job and was completing my last two weeks, I couldn't mentally see myself as actually starting a new job and leaving my toxic workplace. It felt like it'll never happen, that I would always be stuck.

My whole life I've lived in the past, and most recently I have been working on living in the present moment, but should I be concerned that I am not preparing enough for the future, or have no emotional response about what happens in the future? Keep in mind I have PTSD, so I just might not be there emotionally about the future because of trauma.

And there are things I do to prepare for the future, like enrolling in benefits and planning for retirement, and I do very well with finances, and I get business done in at timely manner, but emotionally I just don't know how prepare for future events.

Is this normal?

I don't know what's "normal" but I am very much the same way. I do prepare for the future, but have a hard time picturing it.

Living in the past was making my depression much worse, and I know some people who are always worried about what might happen in the future deal with major anxiety. So I think living in the present is best.

The only thing I recommend people do preparing for the future is as soon as they are able to they should save money for old age and they should pay taxes or they’ll have no SS either. Living your life careless and then end up eating cat food in old age isn’t appealing.,

Other than that it isn’t much that you can prepare for.
You can’t really visualize because things might work totally differently then planned anyways.

Living in the present is wiser

It is very difficult for me to plan for the future because I don't believe I will be alive for much longer. That "feeling" began when I was a child and has persisted throughout my life.

This is where I am as well. I don't plan for a future because I don't have one. I've got a couple of years more, tops.

I really think what you’re describing doesn’t sound unhealthy to me. I tend to live in the moment, although I agree with Divine about financially planning, I think that’s not a bad way to be. One step at a time.

Just wondering why you think that. From what I've seen before, you are physically healthy. Seems this thought that you will die soon is in your mind.

I've been through what your describing. I felt like I had no future so I created one of my own making. Than I started to have deja vu and I have felt that no future way another time I just keep thinking future goals and aspirations.


I than went back to college and just started creating a life for myself. I've had to do it a few times in life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966 The only thing I recommend people do preparing for the future is as soon as they are able to they should save money for old age and they should pay taxes or they’ll have no SS either. Living your life careless and then end up eating cat food in old age isn’t appealing., Other than that it isn’t much that you can prepare for. You can’t really visualize because things might work totally differently then planned anyways. Living in the present is wiser

Yes, I planned for that future & had great retirement saved then life happened & then my financially incompetent husband took over the finances when I was in a bad place & lost it all. Left & started over with nothing but my social security based on my career income & unplanned inheritance that opened the door so I could leave even though it was with nothing from the 33 year marriage.

I have learned from all that past to make plans for future BUT NEVER cast them in concrete in my mind. Things change so quickly in my life, being flexible & never being really disappointed at what happens has become my philosophy. I observe & try to make the best choices in the present but everything seems to change. My life is like an onion, peel back tomorrow & you may find that a totally different path is required. Being flexible & making wise mind decisions in the present seems to be my best option for how to live my life.

Lol....I have a paid for farm & truck & making improvements as money comes available. My ex owns nothing. Lost the home we owned & has debt. Wise choices in the present then adapting as needed (including saving for retirement) I have found is the best. If I worry about something in the future, It may NEVER happen, but something I never considered may.

Good points! Being flexible and ready to adjust to change is very important. I believe in combination of being prepared and being able to change your plans as needed. Have plan a, b and c so to speak.

Unfortunately I do know people who did zero planning for the future and didn’t give it any thought on how the future will play out. Sadly they find themselves in a horrible shape because they didn’t bother to think things through until it’s way too late.

But of course things could change any minute. Doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to live in a la la land