A Letter from the Future
by Sarah Harding
I wrote a letter to myself from the future as an exercise in self-care. I was tempted to write all about how thin I am in the future, how I’ve magically aged backward and become super athletic. But, alas, I tried to keep it realistic and attainable. Writing it challenged me to think about what path our society could take— the path I hope we’ll choose.
1 January 2035
Dear Sarah,
It’s true: I’m writing to you from 15 years in the future. No, I’m not going to tell you what companies to start, what stock to buy, or what the winning lottery numbers are (think evens). I’m writing because I remember what the world is like and what you are like in 2020. You’re still living in what we now refer to as The End of The Brown Age. I think you’ll be happy to hear that 2035 is in The Beauty Revolution. And it’s just like the name makes it sound— it’s beautiful. Our time is healthier, happier, and kinder. Humans have forged a new relationship with the miracle of creation. The Gross World Happiness ratings are still rising! If you look around, you’ll see evidence in 2020 that people are starting to do what ought to be done. #zerowasteliving, Tesla electric cars, and Friday Climate Strikes are all examples in your time that millions of people care very much. They understand that what happens to nature happens to us. They want to preserve nature, species, and ecosystems not only for survival, but because it is right and good. Humans need nature to feed our souls.
You’re still in the muck of it now. The political divide has never been wider, and apocalyptic climate reports cause people to feel hopeless, anxious, and afraid of losing the solace of wild places. I want to acknowledge the deep grief you all are collectively feeling. The undercurrent of heartbreak, sorrow, and despair pulling down society right now. It’s no joke. You’ll have to face it. You’ll have to accept that the future is both uncertain and worth fighting for. It’s like the classic hero’s dilemma: I’m going to die. And I’m going to do my best.
As I mentioned, you are living through the end of the Brown Age. When humans are abundant, but resources and nature have become few. Materials are being wasted, resources ignored, and money rules.
However, during the last 15 years, we recognized the effect nature had on our bodies and souls, and we chose to reflect that in our values. Greater well-being for the earth and her inhabitants informed every decision. We stopped listening to the media and the pundits and started listening to our hearts. It is the largest social movement in the history of the planet. During your time, there were maybe 1-2 million organizations working toward ecological or social justice. An amazing number to be sure. But nowadays, we have 20 million businesses, clubs, non-profits, and groups working to make our societies more resilient, more beautiful, and more self-sufficient. People all around the world got together to save the things they love most about life. Despite our busy lives, the skiing groups, bird-watchers, stargazing enthusiasts, hunting groups, and gardening clubs transformed grief into action. The needle had moved on the dial of what is acceptable and what is not. It became horrific and unjust to pollute, to waste, to allow more carbon to enter our fragile atmosphere. We expected our representatives and leaders to follow suit.
Once we realized the effects of our lifestyle, once our eyes opened, humans began to get creative. First, we changed in small, easy ways— reducing food waste, recycling more, and eating closer to home. Then as green choices became more accessible and abundant, our changes became larger and more meaningful. We could start using the new public transportation, we created zero-waste communities, we redesigned products (you are going to love the new food packaging!), and we became super efficient with our resources. It became easier to live in line with our values.
Preserving what is beautiful and good is a matter of principle. We gave up nothing but heartbreak and waste. Nobody misses those. What we gained is priceless: fulfilling lives, connected communities, vegetables and walking, zippy electric cars, efficient public transportation, better jobs, clean air, pure water, wildlife, free-market energy, comfortable buildings, and beautiful green surroundings.
Today, while I walked to the bus, I was inspired to write to you by the perfect, glittering snowy morning. The delight and joy our world gives to us is irreplaceable. Life without the heartbreak of pollution is just so beautiful.
So, get out there and do what ought to be done.
Yours in berries, sweet rain, and new green grass, Sarah
P.S. Do not, I repeat, do not try to wear the super low-waisted jeans that will come back into style about 2025. Just trying to save you from an embarrassing incident.
Sarah Harding grew up in North County San Diego. She spent her childhood surfing and loving the ocean. She and her husband, John, moved to Montana when they were 22 and spent the second half of their lives farming and raising a family. Now they’re Coconut at Sea Soap Co.; a family business determined to reduce the amount of plastic in our world.
Sarah is a steadfast fan of her husband and two children, who are her absolute first priority. She believes in kindness, resourcefulness, and playful creativity.
Sarah and her family live on their tiny homemade farm in Whitefish. For more information on her soap and shampoo bars, visit her website at coconutatsea.com