So I've been doing this thing for the past two days. A daily visualization of my best self. And before you roll your eyes and think "oh great, another woo-woo manifestation thing," hear me out. Because what showed up surprised the hell out of me.

I didn't see myself on a beach with a margarita. I didn't see myself accepting an award or having a gallery opening at MOMA. Nope. I saw myself in hiking gear. With muscles. Like, actual visible strength. And a weirdly specific haircut, both times.

As I tried to recall the feelings, the qualities emanating from this version of myself, I actually came up with a list right away. Strength first. Next, confidence—not arrogance, but this deep knowing of who I am, and what needs doing. Then generosity. And finally, living with grace and ease.

No private island. No lottery win. Just... me. This version of myself who already exists, and just needs a little more room to grow.

Which brings me to today's uncomfortable question: Are you spending your days letting your best self emerge? Or is she getting buried under an avalanche of perfectly reasonable obligations?

The back of a woman in hiking gera, looking out over the view at the top of a mountain — Imagine the best version of you.

What does it feel like to be looking at life through this lens?

The Noble Art of Hiding From Ourselves

Jon Acuff calls them "noble obstacles" in his book Finish (I’m pretty sure that’s where I read it). These are the perfectly acceptable, even admirable ways we spend our time that secretly keep us from doing what actually matters to us.

You know what I'm talking about. That volunteer committee you joined because it's a good cause (but you dread every meeting). The coffee dates with people you don't really connect with but feel obligated to maintain. The home improvement project that's been "almost done" for six months. The endless research phase before you start that creative project.

All noble. All reasonable. All keeping you from becoming who you're meant to be.

Here's what hit me this morning, and just about took my breath away: This is so much simpler than our brains want us to believe.

Your Brain Is a Terrible Life Coach

Our minds are masters at complication and procrastination. "Oh sure," your brain says, "you will focus on your art practice, BUT first you need to reorganize your entire studio, take three more online courses, upgrade all your supplies, and maybe get a degree in color theory while you're at it."

Or: "Yes, physical health is important, but you can't just start TODAY.. First you need the perfect workout plan, the right gear, a meal prep system, and probably should wait until Monday. Or January. Or after Mercury stops being in retrograde or whatever."

Meanwhile, your best self is sitting there like, "Hey! It really doesn’t have to be that hard."

The thing is, there are infinite honorable ways to spend your time. But there is NOT infinite time. This is where clarity becomes your sharpest tool.

When Vision Meets Reality (Spoiler: Reality Usually Loses)

A clear vision of your best self makes decisions embarrassingly easy. Should I say yes to this thing? Does it feed future me or just drain current me? Is this moving me toward strength, clarity, generosity, and grace? Or is it just... busy work?

And before you start thinking this is selfish—stop right there. Our best selves are not selfish jerks. They're the opposite. They're the people who actually have the energy to show up fully. Who create from abundance and generosity instead of depletion and resentment. Who help others from a full tank instead of fumes.

Your best self will do amazing things for your family, friends, and community. But not if she's suffocating under a task list wrapped in obligation and complaining.

The Plot Twist in My Vision

Here's the part that cracked me up. I JUST spent the last month convincing myself to quit the gym. I do NOT like the gym. Famously. My whole family knows this. People are always in the way of what I’m trying to do, I feel like I spend half the time looking at the app that tells me what exercise to do next. I never go unless under duress. So I decided I'd just do push-ups and yoga in my attic whenever I felt like it.

Then I do this visualization and what shows up? Muscles. Actual, visible strength. Dang it. I’m pretty sure squats and lunges in the attic are not going to get me there.

And this strength I saw, it was different, not like a bodybuilder. More in a "I can hike any trail, carry my own equipment, and still have energy to create at the end of the day" way. Maybe even I can throw 10 pounds of clay on the wheel kind of way. Hey, why not? If football players can come out of retirement at 44 and still do the job? I can channel LeBron at 40 making twentysomethings look slow.

Hmm! So my best self is apparently kind of ripped. Who knew?

woman lifting barbell overhead, with muscular shoulders — Picture your best self…

Before you can overthink it, what concrete images emerge that tell you about who - and how - you want to be?

The Surprisingly Simple Path Forward

So instead of creating the world's most detailed time management system (complete with color-coded calendars and a spreadsheet that calculates the optimal coffee-to-creation ratio), what if we just...started with clarity?

What if you spent ten minutes—or even just five—visualizing the simplest, purest version of who you want to be? Not what you want to have or achieve, but who you want to BE.

Then, look at your Monday. Your actual day with its actual schedule. How much of it feeds that person? How much of it is noble hiding?

You don't have to blow up your life. You don't have to quit everything tomorrow. But maybe you could quit one thing. Add one thing. Shift one hour from obligation to…emergence.

Your Turn to Get Uncomfortable

So let’s just set timer for five minutes. Close your eyes. Picture your best self. Not your richest self or your most successful self. Your BEST self.The best version of who you already are.

What does she look like? How does she move through the world? What qualities radiate from her?

Then look at your calendar for next week. Circle everything that feeds and fuels her. Cross out one thing that doesn't.

Just one. We're not trying to restructure society here. We're just trying to let her breathe a little.

Because here's the truth: She's already in there. Your best self isn't some future achievement to unlock. She's not waiting for you to earn enough points or level up enough times. She's already a part of who you are, probably doing push-ups while you're reading this, waiting for you to clear some space.

The noble obligations can wait. The perfect plan can wait. The right time can wait.

Your best self? She's been waiting long enough.

Now if you'll excuse me, apparently I need to go find some hiking gear. And maybe do a push-up. Or twelve.

With Enthusiasm for Art & Life,

Heidi

What version of yourself showed up in your visualization? Drop me a comment or find me on Instagram @heidisenseart. I'm genuinely curious if anyone else's best self surprised them with unexpected specifics. Mine apparently has VERY strong opinions about haircuts.😂

Are You Fueling Your Future Self? (Or Just Really Busy?)