A Glimpse Into the Future

*Two years later

Date: March 22nd, 2027 — 4:40 AM

Soren's eyes opened the moment his alarm rang, the gentle chime easing him into wakefulness rather than jarring him. Years of discipline had conditioned him to respond to the sound as a signal to rise, not an invitation to sink back into the warmth of his bed. The cold morning air bit at his skin, but he was already accustomed to the discomfort. It was just another sensation, nothing more.

He swung his legs out of bed, his feet meeting the firm floor. No hesitation. He grabbed his phone and tapped the screen, dismissing the alarm completely. His room, neat and minimalistic, reflected the order he had brought to his own mind. A sturdy desk stood by the window, littered only with the essentials: a high-performance laptop for his music production, a collection of notebooks for university studies, and a stack of enriched reading material that had shaped his character over the past two years.

The bookshelves lining the wall held titles like Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Atomic Habits by James Clear, Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, and Deep Work by Cal Newport. Some books were worn and dog-eared, their spines creased from repeated readings. Others were pristine but covered with sticky notes and underlines, evidence of his meticulous study.

They weren't just for show. Soren had internalized their messages, their teachings merging with his own hard-earned experience. His once undisciplined mind had been reforged into something sharper, something resilient. Not perfect, of course, but much closer to the person he had always wanted to be.

He stretched his arms high above his head, the familiar pull and strain a refreshing start to the day. His morning stretches had become more elaborate, a ritualistic preparation before heading out to the gym. The soft thud of his fists shadowboxing against the air punctuated the quiet of the room.

His phone buzzed with a notification. A message from one of his university classmates about a group project due next week. Soren responded with a simple acknowledgment, his mind already lining up the tasks for the day.

The first step, as always, was the gym.

Time: 5:30 AM

The gym was already alive with the clinking of weights and the rhythmic thumping of feet on treadmills. Soren greeted the front desk staff with a nod, his expression calm and determined. Two years ago, the idea of consistent exercise had been an abstract goal, something he wanted but never truly believed he could maintain. Now, it was a non-negotiable part of his routine.

The gym had changed him. His once skinny frame had filled out with muscle. His shoulders were broader, his chest and arms defined, and his legs powerful. The dedication to building strength had become something of an obsession, but one he was proud of.

He began his workout with compound exercises: squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and rows. The iron in his hands was familiar, grounding. It demanded focus and commitment, forcing him to push through the burning sensation in his muscles. Pain, he had come to learn, was a necessary companion on the path to self-improvement.

His breathing was controlled, steady, his gaze unwavering as he watched his own reflection in the mirror. The young man staring back at him was hardly recognizable from the insecure, frail boy he had once been.

Time: 7:00 AM

Back home, Soren cooked himself a high-protein breakfast. Eggs, avocado, spinach, toast, and a protein shake. The days of surviving on bread, dairy, and fruit alone were long gone. Adjusting his diet had been a gradual process, one small step at a time. At first, he'd gagged at the sight of vegetables, but persistence had worked where stubbornness had failed.

His teeth, once yellowed and uneven, now shone with cleanliness. Orthodontic work and a rigorous dental care routine had paid off. His face, clear of acne, bore the marks of someone who took pride in his appearance. The faint asymmetry remained, but the confidence with which he carried himself overshadowed any perceived flaw.

Time: 9:00 AM

The library at the university was quiet, a refuge for those serious about their studies. Soren found his usual spot near the back corner, his laptop already humming to life. His undergraduate program in Advanced Sciences was a challenge he embraced. From cellular biology to advanced calculus, the workload was unforgiving. Yet, it was precisely what he had wanted.

He worked diligently, his focus unbreakable. Tasks were divided into manageable chunks, each one given his undivided attention before moving on to the next. The study techniques he had adopted – active recall, spaced repetition, and interleaving – made his efforts efficient. He was no longer playing catch-up with his studies; he was ahead of the curve.

Time: 1:00 PM

Lunch was quick but nutritious. Chicken, rice, broccoli, and a side of fruit. He ate with purpose, fueling his body for the remainder of the day. As he cleaned up, his gaze drifted over to his guitar resting against the wall.

Playing the guitar was one of the few hobbies he allowed himself to indulge in. It brought him peace, a creative outlet beyond the cold logic of science and the brutal intensity of martial arts. And then there was music production, his most significant source of income. His online profile, anonymous and respected, generated steady revenue through instrumentals, remixes, and original compositions.

His skills had grown with time. What had once been a passing interest had become a finely-honed craft.

Time: 3:00 PM

Soren stood before his training dummy, fists clenched. His knowledge of martial arts had advanced tremendously. He trained almost daily, striking, dodging, and countering with precision. His muscles ached from the constant repetition, but he welcomed the pain. It was proof of progress.

His strikes were powerful and controlled, each movement calculated. Boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai – he had studied them all, perfecting his technique through countless hours of practice. While his skill was self-taught, it was by no means inferior.

Time: 10:00 PM

The day ended with reading. His bookshelf had grown over the years, both in size and variety. Tonight, he picked up The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi, its teachings on strategy and discipline a suitable companion for his own journey.

Before falling asleep, he reflected on the day. Another step forward. Another battle won. And tomorrow, he would do it all over again.

He smiled as he drifted off to sleep.

Because now, he knew.

This was only the beginning.

Daily Summary

Achievements: Morning workout, productive study session, martial arts training, music production, and reading.

Challenges: Continuous effort to maintain focus and discipline.

Goals for Tomorrow: Continue refining martial arts techniques, make progress on university projects, and produce a new instrumental track.