Hi, and yes, this is familiar. :))
Looking at this from a psychological point of view (which is my way), it's very natural. As a JW (were you 'born-in'? that would make this even more relevant), you were taught that there is no future.
In a relatively healthy home, kids are taught to plan their futures. As JWs, we were taught, and indoctrinated, to believe that the only 'future' was the paradise lie, so we had no need to plan. Planning, in the REAL WORLD way, was frowned upon.
So, neural pathways were formed in our brain. This means that when we think of the 'future', we authomatically shut down. Other friends have 'plans' for how their life path will go - we find it hard to make those plans. It's okay, you can change that.
Practically speaking, I would say here's one way to go about it.
Picture where you want to be in 5 years. SEE, in your mind's eye, how you will look. Take a big sheet of paper, and tape it on the back of your bedroom door, or some other private place.
On that piece of paper, make a bullet-point list of, for example,
- where you would like to be in 5 years.
- what you can do (smaller milestones) to get there
- alternate goals (the long-term goals, I call 'fuzzy', because life happens, they may change)
- short-term milestones
- rewards that will be gained/achieved - both long and short -term
Does that make sense? Depending on how much you 'get into' this stuff, you can chart and plan things out ......... or just do the basic. :))
Have it somewhere you can see it (that's why I suggest the back of your b/r door), so that you are reminded that hey, you are learning to live in the NOW but still, it's important to think about and make plans for the future.
xo
tal