Cutting the Future Short

In times of adversity, we often resort to short-term relief over long-term planning. This manifests not only in impulsive behavior, but also in thought patterns that undermine our capacity to envision and prepare for the future. From the mild act of neglecting to plan for tomorrow to the extreme consequence of thinking about death, cutting the future short can help us manage a difficult present. At the same time, it can leave us hopeless, despondent, and disconnected.

It has long been known that individuals facing chronic stress or trauma may adopt a short-term mindset as a means of self-preservation. Narrowing our focus to the present moment can be a survival instinct, helping us conserve energy and resources for immediate challenges. Under stress, it also becomes more difficult to envision a future beyond immediate challenges. This phenomenon, called future discounting, seems to be particularly present during times of uncertainty (Prelec & Loewenstein, 1997). Whether it's indulging in distractions or daydreaming about the end of our suffering, cutting the future short gives us some control and comfort in the face of ambiguity (Carver & Scheier, 2001). It is in this way that suicidal thoughts can paradoxically serve as a form of coping, offering temporary control in situations perceived as overwhelmingly hopeless or unbearable (Joiner, 2005).

Societal factors such as economic status, age, or racial and gender identity can contribute to the tendency to cut the future short at a collective level. For marginalized communities facing structural barriers to upward mobility, the prospect of a brighter future may seem increasingly elusive, perpetuating cycles of despair. For example, in my experience, young people are particularly prone to such processes. In working with stressed adolescents who often have limited control, I frequently hear them report they can’t envision a life past the age of 18. While this is certainly sad to hear, it makes a great deal of sense given their experience.

Although discounting the future can decrease our distress in the here-and-now, the absence of future-oriented thinking can make it hard to set and pursue meaningful goals. Without a vision of what lies beyond the present, individuals may struggle to find purpose or direction in their lives.

Breaking free from this pattern requires a concerted effort to both reduce distress in the present moment and support future-oriented thinking. Luckily, dreaming about the future is a natural human inclination, and it often emerges simply by putting the mind at ease and freeing ourselves from immediate stressors. Cultivating moments of relaxed, present-moment attention not only fosters creativity and imagination, but also allows space for envisioning and planning for the future in an engaged way. Through practices such as mindfulness meditation, creative expression, or simply spending time in nature, individuals can cultivate cultivate a sense of embodiment, agency, and hope. This can be done even in the face of adversity.

Cutting the future short is not merely a matter of impulsive behavior, but is deeply rooted in our cognitive and emotional responses to stress. By understanding the psychological mechanisms at play and addressing the societal factors that perpetuate this mindset, we can strive toward hope, purpose, and collective well-being. If you are finding yourself cutting the future short, have compassion and please don’t hesitate to reach out.