Where will you be in 10 years?

I gave myself a shock when I recently asked the question, ‘Where will I be in 10 years?’

Firstly, I thought about how old I’ll be in 2030. Yikes!

Next, I indulged in sadomasochistic self-flagellation over a dearth of writing achievements thus far on the unrelenting path to decrepitude.

Nuffin’ new about that. Self criticism is my special skill!

If I was in my 20s, I wouldn’t have such a problem with the question.

If I was in my 20s, I would answer the question with, ‘I will be with my wonderful family, in a sunny place, writing another novel, eating good food, in rude good health, travelling with friends, walking the dog, swimming in the ocean, having reasonable sex (can’t be too ambitious), being an activist for climate change and deforestation, reading good books…

But hey, isn’t that where I’m at now? Wooooaaaah! Slow down lady. You’ve got the next 10 years covered.

I may not be published (not yet) but I do have a completed novel and I’m onto the next!

We can all be too hard on ourselves, and in the era of COVID-19 it is tempting to fall into a mental lockdown and take for granted what you already have.

But looking to your future self can be an uplifting exercise. It has the power to move you back onto the path you seek and remind you that life in the ‘now’ has many potential silver linings.