What am I losing by choosing the illusion of tomorrow?

My mind is like a spiderweb, constantly scanning situations, my future, every possible outcome and path. This way of thinking has brought me success — putting out fires or even avoiding them has been a strength of mine. On the other hand, creativity has flourished because this spiderweb extends into my imagination. Some ideas have been foolish, and yet I’ve pursued them. Even though I’ve seen the downfalls ahead, I’ve underestimated their impact. 

The need to figure out outcomes has been my never-ending go-to, a tool to keep me safe. Childhood trauma gave fertile ground for this mindset to grow and thrive. But as 2025 begins, I’ve turned my attention to a single question: Do I see the value in this moment? 

For so long, I’ve been driven by the illusion of tomorrow. Yet the now is all we truly have. We know this, and still, the mind’s eye pulls us forward toward something we don’t yet have—or do we? 

The present moment was once the tomorrow I dreamed of. And so, I find myself here, exactly where I’m supposed to be in the areas of life I can control. But can I find peace in not knowing? Can I continue to make grand plans while trusting life itself—that I am always where I’m meant to be? And can I see the now as a  powerful moment to expand my thoughts and visions, rather than being blindsided by the future? 

This reflection leads me to one word: Peace. 

• Peace in not knowing. Believe me, this has been tested through challenges with health, money, work, and so much more. 

• Peace in resisting the illusion of a future that could pull me off track. And no, this isn’t about abandoning plans. Keep making them! 

• Peace in letting down my guard. Optimizing life is not a fast track to happiness or fulfillment. Happiness is a skill, not a promise tied to an imagined tomorrow that often leads to disappointment. 

• Peace in acceptance. I won’t be loved or appreciated by everyone. Even this text might seem meaningless to someone—and I’m okay with that. 

• Peace in impermanence. What feels “good” today might feel “bad” tomorrow, and vice versa. 

So, what’s the point of this writing? To remind myself—and perhaps you—that peace can be found in the here and now even in the most difficult situations. 

My now is a brief provider of perspective, creativity, and trust if I let it be. I’m learning to lean into the uncertainty, to embrace the present without being consumed by the future. And to add, the practice is hard as hell, no shortcuts there! 

For me, peace is not the absence of chaos, but the practice of finding calm within it. Ask me later How. 

Written by Veera Orava, local partner and coach at World Coaching Organization.

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