Chasing Tomorrow
- Shannon Davis
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
I used to think, “I’ll be happier when…”
When I have kids.
When I’m out of debt.
When I have a certain amount of money in the bank.
When I hit that number in investments.
When life slows down just a little.
I’m a planner by nature. I like structure, goals, and having a path forward. But somewhere along the way, I started to realize that I was constantly chasing a version of the future that I thought would finally make me feel secure, joyful, and content. And the crazy part? That “version” kept moving.
It wasn’t just me. I started seeing it in the people I worked with and the people I loved. We all kept saying the same thing:
“It’ll be better once we graduate.”
“Once we get married.”
“Once the kids are in school.”
“Once they’re driving.”
“Once they leave the house.”
“Once we take that vacation.”
“Once we retire.”
It’s like we’re chasing tomorrow while missing the very life happening in front of us.
The Trap of “Someday”
I love this quote from author Annie Dillard:
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
That line hit me hard. Because I had spent a lot of days hustling for a future I hadn’t yet defined, and forgetting that today counts too.
The truth is, we’ll never really “arrive.” There’s always something else to chase. Another goal. Another phase. Another box to check. And if we’re always living for what’s next, we’re never really living in what’s now.
Joy in the Now, Wisdom for the Future
I’m not saying we throw caution to the wind. I’m still all about planning, saving, investing wisely, and thinking long-term. But I’ve also learned there’s a difference between planning for the future and living for the future.
We need both.
We need to save and prepare for what’s ahead - retirement, emergencies, family goals - but we also need to find joy in the messy, ordinary, beautiful days we’re in right now.
Because if we’re always saying “later,” we might miss everything.
One of my favorite reminders is this quote by Thich Nhat Hanh:
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
I’ve had to slow down and actually train myself to see it:
Morning sunshine through my kitchen window or on my way to the gym.
Laughing at something silly with my kids.
Quiet conversations over tea or coffee.
The peace that comes from knowing I’m doing the best I can with what I have.
What We Think About Grows
Something my mom always reminds me and I tell my clients is: what we think about grows.
If we dwell on what’s missing, we start to feel empty.
If we’re always focused on the next milestone, we start to feel behind.
But when we focus on what we do have, gratitude begins to expand.
You can live with gratitude and be financially intentional.
You can enjoy today and plan for tomorrow.
You can find peace right where you are, even as you work toward the life you want.
Here’s a quote from Jim Rohn that sums it up perfectly:
“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.”
My Encouragement to You
If you’ve been chasing tomorrow like I was, I hope this is your gentle reminder to slow down. Celebrate the small wins. Notice the little joys. Be thankful. Take a deep breath.
And still - save for the future. Set your goals. Build a plan.
But don’t forget to live today.
Because tomorrow might bring something great.
But today? Today is here now and it’s worth noticing.
Ready to Live for Today and Plan for Tomorrow?
If you’ve been putting off your financial plan because life feels too busy - or because you're waiting for “the right time” - you’re not alone. But the best time to start isn’t someday. It’s today.
Let’s build a plan that supports the life you want to live now, while setting you up for a confident, secure tomorrow.
Whether you’re just starting out, in the middle of a big life transition, or thinking about retirement - I’m here to help you take the next right step.
Reach out to schedule a conversation. No pressure, just a real talk about where you are, where you want to go, and how we can get there - together.
