It starts innocently enough. A little scrolling before bed. Just one more video. Maybe two. Suddenly, it’s 1 AM. Yeah… Future You isn’t thrilled about those late-night doom-scrolling spirals.

Your actions now will impact your ‘Future-Self’:

If you go to the gym now, your Future You will be in a better shape.

If you save up money now, your Future You will have enough resources to cover costs later on.

If you start working on that important project now, Future You won’t have to stress right before the deadline.

But if you’re not invested in the future version of yourself, why not indulge, spend, and scroll away like there’s no end?

Using that as inspiration, this Behavioral Redesign involves a Future You showing up to give you a reality check. Your older, wiser self pops up on your screen. She’s seen how this plays out. The missed workouts. The groggy mornings. The why-did-I-do-this-again regret. And she’s here with a message to warn you: “Hey… maybe call it a night?”. Maybe she’s gentle at first. Maybe she gets a little sassier if you keep ignoring her. But she’s always looking out for you—because she is you.

This redesign introduces a playful, slightly cheeky nudge that bridges the gap between the choices you make now and how they’ll impact you later. A reminder that your actions today shape the life you’ll live tomorrow. And sometimes, all it takes is seeing your Future Self roll her eyes to get you back on track.

The Behavioral Science Behind It

Future Self-Continuity is the psychological connection you feel who you are today and who you’ll be in days, months, or even years from now. The stronger that bond, the more likely you are to make decisions that benefit your long-term well-being. Recent studies have even created an AI-powered virtual version of people’s future selves (tailored to their personal qualities and future goals) to improve their future self-continuity.

A Nuanced Take

Future You should feel like a helpful ally, not a nag. If overdone, it could lead to guilt or avoidance. But with the right tone—supportive, playful, and empowering—it helps people make choices they’ll thank themselves for later.