3 Fun Ways to Plan for the Future

I have mixed feelings about planning for the future. One part of me is so thrilled for the future that I can barely wait and can’t stop dreaming about it. The other part of me is like, “Eh. That sounds boring. What will be will be.”

So, to soothe both sides of me, I make up fun ways to plan for the future! Daydreaming is the primary one – sensible daydreaming, of course – but there are other ways.

And if you hate planning or you struggle to plan in a realistic way, these might help you! Or else it’ll just be a post to see how the inside of Kell’s silly brain works. 😉

3 Fun Ways to Plan for the Future

#1: Create an “about” page for the future.

This works especially well for me since I might actually use have an “about/bio” page that looks similar. I put together an “about me” page in a document, including pictures (lol) and other formatting (as well as links to imaginary websites and articles).

I wrote mine as if I was a thirty-five-year-old woman with a family and four dogs (don’t question it). But y’know. It was fun.

I talk about my accomplishments, what I’ve written, what I’ve done, how my writing life is going, and even some personal goals. It’s very much “all the good stuff,” but it’s still fun.

(Also, I wasn’t sure whether to do alternate ones for married/not married, so I did a married one because that was actually the less ambitious one – don’t ask – so yeahhh. Dream low? You won’t be disappointed? 😅 But really, I think I would like to get married. I just reallllyyy don’t want to force it!)

#2: Write a letter to future you – and be specific.

I haven’t quite finished mine, nor do I intend to save it when I do, but something along the lines of:

Hi Kell,

When you read this you should be thirty-five. I hope you have a horse or at least ride one very often. If not, I consider you a failure as a person. Just give up. You’re worthless.

I hope you were also able to get traditionally published – or if not, that you’ve decided it wasn’t your dream. It might be time to stop. You’ve been trying for almost twenty years. I know other tried longer, but indie publishing is already going great back in 2019, and I bet you’ll do better putting all your energy into that.

I hope you’re done with the Rubyverse. If you’re not, you’ve been lazy.

Et cetera, et cetera.

Okay, not exactly that, but you know. Along those lines. Basically, be planning. You don’t even have to do … what is it? Seventeen years? You could do next year. Or next month!

#3: Draw a diagram/rough timeline of your life.

Okay, I think drawing little swirling things with bubbles and all is fun. Just me? A’right.

Really, though, this is a really awesome way to plan! I am a lot less artistic, but this is a rough one I did:

[NOTE: images were accidentally deleted, but you get what I mean.)

It’s a free form thing that lets my mind really explore. And that’s good, because sometimes it can be hard for me to visualize. 😅 And visualizing is basically the only way I see things, soooo that doesn’t work. 😉

Random Updates

Now we’re done with that rather unorganized “plan for the future” post, let’s talk about some random stuff. In a very unorganized way. *le sigh* What will I do with myself?

I asked for prayers in last Wednesday’s post. I’m doing better now. I actually feel … really light. For the first time in a long time. And that’s good. I’m writing this on Sunday evening, so it’s probably just leftover weekend awesome.

I got to see someone who means a lot to me after a long time, and I swear that’s the best feeling in the world. Just even hearing someone’s voice can make all the difference. I saw a lot of people I care about Saturday, actually. It was the perfect storm to make me feel great!

Teasing Bailey and just being friends and chilling is the best. I swear, I feel most like myself when I’m jokingly making fun of her. Which sounds cruel, but it’s just … how our friendship works. (She does the same to me.)

I’ve been listening to the soundtracks of The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and The Music Man. They are excellent.

I finished Flowers in Her Heart! Yay! Also, I’m at 34k-ish for the month. Hoorah!

I’m probably going to write a book called Lower than the Angels at some point. Because I has ideas.

I’ve actually had two WWII plot bunnies lately. Oy vey.

I’m working on the blog posts I said I was going to put out but haven’t yet. Oops. They’re coming, though! I promise!

It’s eleven, and I’m heading out! Adios, mi amigas. 😉 Buenas noches!

TTFN!

~Kellyn Roth~

p.s.

Do you believe in planning for the future? How do you make plans – and how detailed are they? Do you have any idea where you’ll be in a year? Five years? Ten years? (This is a question I ask all my writing students, lol.)