Have you ever stopped for a moment just to ask yourself if you are
building a life that will benefit you when you are old or just living for now?
Let us be honest with each other.
Most of us, especially in our 20s and 30s, live like the future is going to figure itself out, but to be honest with you, that is not how things work out. Though we may be as fit as a fiddle in our youthful ages today, we also know for sure that as we grow older, we won't be the same as we are today. If growth wasn't real, I am not sure we would even have grown from childhood to adulthood. So, the question is, with all the strength you have today, is there anything you're doing today for your future self in the years ahead of you?
There was a time when I came across an elderly man sitting on a bench in a park in the neighbourhood where I lived. Having nothing much to do at that moment, I decided to sit by his side and engage him in a talk. That one side of me that finds it hard not to learn something new from the elderly couldn't resist the temptation of not approaching him.
We had all the talks about life because knowing more as a young girl about life has always been my way of taking the right steps in my own life.
Before the day's expiry, there was one statement that he made which made me think so much about my own lifestyle. He said, "If I had planned and saved better in my youthful days, I wouldn't be today, depending so much on my children who already have a lot of burdens on their own.
The Mistakes We Should Be Careful With
At our very young age, we all have the feeling to travel to places
and enjoy a beautiful life. No one is against it; certainly, it is a good call, but then spending carelessly and
making all the risky choices is not something we can often call freedom. It
feels good, alright, there is no kind of stress, there is no reason to be
thinking for so long.
But here is the problem.
Having that kind of mindset doesn’t help us build the kind of
future we want for ourselves. Living in the present, I believe, is very important,
but you know, living only in the present without thinking about tomorrow and
the years ahead of us becomes dangerous at some point because the thing is,
what feels very exciting to us today can become a regret tomorrow. Because as
we age and strength fades away, there are the characters of us that we trash
along the way.
I want to let us know that every action we take today, every decision
we take, be it with our money, be it with our health, or even how we manage our time, can either build up or break down the quality of our old age.
What Actually Builds Up a Peaceful Old Age.
We all talk about enjoying life, but then we sometimes forget that
we can’t enjoy our tomorrow if we destroy what we have today.
Here are a few things that determine whether you will smile in your
later years or struggle.
1. Let’s Start with Money
How are you managing your finances now at your young age? What are your
financial habits like? Are you spending more and saving less, or are you spending
less and saving more? I will actually go for the latter because saving more
means you are planning for a better future. Google “financial freedom” and you
will find this truth everywhere.
Here is what helps:
- Save a good percentage of your income, be it daily, weekly, monthly, or semi-annually. I personally do this, and it helps a lot.
- You can invest your funds into something that will generate a profit even in your old age.
- Put down some funds for an emergency situation as you grow. You wouldn’t have to go for loans in times of emergency.
The helpful tip: do not wait for years before you begin; start as early
as possible.
2. The Health Decisions You Make
Are you making bad health decisions you know very well will hurt
you as you grow? What are you doing about it? What are you doing to stay
healthy in the years ahead of you? These are the very questions you should be
asking yourself at your youthful age. Health is also an investment you can’t
ignore.
3. Learning: The One Thing that Never Gets Old
The world today is not the same as that of yesterday. It keeps changing, and so should you. You should keep learning new skills, not just to make yourself more money, but also to change your mind. Read books if necessary, learn digital skills (could be your other source of income if hell breaks loose).
Differences Between People Living Only for Today and Those Preparing for Tomorrow
Living Only for Today
- Spends everything now
- Eats anyhow and buys unnecessarily
- Avoids hard work and always lives for trends
- They think their still young and have more time
Preparing For Tomorrow
- Saves their money and invests it for later
- They are very cautious of their health and diet
- They live for a purpose and plan ahead for their future
- They always think in the direction that their future still matters
- Try to Balance These Two: Enjoying Life but Planning It
Here is the mindset that works:
- You should enjoy your youth by traveling and having all the fun, but even as you do,
- Plan, save, learn, and do things that will help you in your old age.
How Do You Start Securing Your Future (Today)
- Always have knowledge of where your money is going and how it is being used.
- Take care of your health because good health matters.
- Walk with people who will have a positive influence on you and help you plan for your life.
My Final Thoughts
Your old age will either thank you or blame you for the choices you’re making right now.
So ask yourself again:
Are you living in a way that will benefit you in your old age?
Or are you just living for the present moment?
