We are bringing “Darling Letters” from your inbox to the blog! We love the art of letter writing and believe it helps build authentic community. Our editors and contributors have thoughtfully written encouraging letters to cut through the busyness and speak straight to your heart.
During my college internship at a magazine, I was asked to assist at a fashion shoot at an iconic Malibu beach house. There was just one problem; I had final exams the following week and hadn’t begun preparing for them. I had to decide—spend the weekend helping at the shoot and risk getting lower grades or regret missing out on an incredible experience.
When deciding what to do, I reflected on the question: “Will I care—or even remember—what percentage I score on that math or science test a decade or two from now?” For me, the answer was a clear no. And so, I chose to go. It turned out to be one of the most fun and memorable experiences I had all semester. It also taught me a valuable lesson—to prioritize actions that future me would be grateful for. No one looks back at their life and regrets spending time doing what’s fulfilling to them.
No one looks back at their life and regrets spending time doing what’s fulfilling to them.
Since college, I’ve used this lesson to guide my decision-making. I’ve learned to reflect on how I will feel about a decision in the future. It’s become a kind of litmus test to determine whether or not the things I’m stressing about are, in fact, worth stressing about. If I know something won’t matter to me in the future, then I choose not to dwell on it today.
Considering present choices in light of the future brings to light the fleeting nature of so much of what we trouble our minds with. It also provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of what is valuable. So today, let’s make decisions that set us up for memories that our future selves will thank us for.
If I know something won’t matter to me in the future, then I choose not to dwell on it today.
With love,
Amy Cummins, the Darling family
Think back to a time when you regretted a decision. How did you feel? Why is it important to spend our time doing the things that fulfill us?
Image via Taylor Roads, Artwork via Ashley Wilson
