By Magda El Dada | Staff Writer

We exist in captured moments, in seconds that extend to eternities. Our coexistence with different versions of ourselves is what makes us sophisticated beings, intricately layered with years upon years of experiences and lessons. Only when we grow aware of the little humans in our minds – the young child whose dreams know no boundary, the teenager grappling with their self-worth, the graduate whose sweat and tears yield fruit at last, and countless others – can we finally begin to understand who we are and what it is that we aspire to achieve. 

In the 9th grade, I suddenly found myself at rock bottom, entrapped in the manacles of a perfectionist whose self-fulfillment lay beyond reach. It felt as though the universe were out to get me, and the ripped classroom notes scattered across my bedroom stood as a testament to my exhaustion of feeling like I was constantly falling short. Then, for a fraction of a second, the image of myself in a cap and gown flashed before my eyes. In my head, the graduate smiled and accepted her diploma with the pride of a fighter whose scars she openly embraced. With the thought of her so vivid in my mind, I picked up my camera and pressed record. The words that spilled out of me at that moment were not directed at myself, but at the me with the well-earned scars whom I greatly aspired to be.  

Only then did a life-altering revelation dawn on me: by physically bridging the gap between our past, present and future identities, we unravel this sense of harmony that allows us to restore our purpose whenever we are met by failure or a loss of our drive. I realized the significance of preserving my multifaceted identity, not just fresh in my memory and imagination but also alive on paper and film.

For four years since, I have videotaped my way through every pivotal moment that would eventually contribute to my shaping: the night before term exams, the breakdown after a below-average grade, the self-reflection after a rough day, the heartbreak after a goodbye… Baring my soul to the girl or woman on the other side watching has become my emotional sanctuary. Everything I do is laced with the hope that she is proud of me for keeping it together for her – for us.

Our past selves serve as a reminder of why we do what we do. Subconsciously, recollections of past endeavors and skills that have accumulated over the years resurface and ultimately provide the grounds for a present self-concept. By resorting to writings or footage from our younger selves, we are able to correlate the surge of emotions that drives us forward with the faces that once dreamt and continue to dream. Imagine a conversation with the you that fantasized about the life you live now. Imagine the hope embedded in the details of their face, their innocent voice, and the admiration in their eyes. Imagine the self-reassurance of having yourself as a blindly trusting impetus that smiles at your smallest successes and is inspired even by the flaws in your plan. There is no stronger motivation than the faith that comes from the little child within you. 

A bridge between your different versions on the timeline goes both ways – we are in need of our “possible selves” just as our pasts latch on to the idea of us. Our future selves anchor our aspirations onto firm grounds with the promise of a desirable outcome regardless of the pathways pursued. This concept is even scientifically supported by the phenomenon of temporal distancing – reflecting on your current situation from the perspective of yourself in the future supports a boost in positive emotions and ultimately strengthens your goal-oriented lifestyle (Parker, 2023).  Our possible selves embody the fluidity of our human nature, the infinite realms through which our minds and hearts can wander passionately and without regret. While reminiscing and learning from our pasts provide us with the coal for a prosperous life, it is the idea of our countless possible futures that resonate our focused flames toward extents that know no limit. Therefore, in essence, communicating with the version of yourself you aspire to is complementing your sense of oneness with all the experiences that constitute your present state. 

We are the culmination of our efforts throughout the years, constantly redefining our narratives to fit the vision best suited for our dreams – the dreams we once painted onto the walls of the classroom, the dreams we sacrificed bits of our sanity for, and the dreams that make life a little more worth living. While the timeline of our existence is linear, we must acknowledge it as the clash of infinite points, each a version of ourselves strongly intertwined with its endlessly captured pasts and futures. 

References

Parker, Holly. “Using Temporal Distancing to Cope with Stress – Psychology Today.” Psychology Today, 26 Mar. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/your-future-self/202303/using-temporal-distancing-to-cope-with-stress.