Parallel World

The Stranger in My Time

imi has a prompt in her subscriber chat which is to ‘write about an encounter between the self you are now and the self you want to become.’

Here is mine;

Me: If I could, I wouldn’t be here.

Future Me: I’m already not there.

Me: Are you happy now?

Future Me: I’m still trying, but I’m happier than you.

Me: What are you doing there?

Future Me: I’m finishing the life lessons I never completed.

Me: What lessons?

Future Me: Learning to face the self I avoided after graduating from my master’s—the part of me that stopped growing and never pushed to chase dreams. The part that stayed silent when it should have spoken.

Me: Have you finished?

Future Me: Not yet. But I’m facing what I should have faced all along. You still have a chance. If you change, I change too. We come from the same root, connected in ways you cannot yet see.

Every bit of your unhappiness leaves traces in my future. But if you try harder now, I can explore more possibilities in my time. Your fears, your doubts, the moments you feel lost—they exist only in your present. In my space, they fade. But if you keep repeating the same patterns, you cannot expect a different outcome.

Me: I’m trying.

Future Me: Try harder. Not for medals, not for titles, not for anyone else. Do it for yourself—to grow, to become the version of you you’ve imagined.

Alix, I am Alix too. This has always been “our life.” We walk together. Even when it feels like you’re alone, I’m there with you. In your present, fill yourself—feed your mind, your heart, your spirit—for yourself, and for me in the future.

Bring a little more warmth into your days.
Laugh when you can.
The world doesn’t always deserve your seriousness.Even when it feels small or insignificant. You don’t need to please anyone—you’re already enough. I’m proud of you.

Feel the rhythm of your life. Notice your patterns. Learn their guidance. You’re already walking the path; you’ve already begun.

Future Me: And remember—when you change, even a little, my world changes too. We are always connected, across time, across choices, across all the moments you think are lost.

The Stranger in My Time