The Cost of Now

The Decoded | October 2025 | By Lisanne

28.10

Years ago, the Hungarian philosopher of science, Ervin László, said that heavy meat eating was a crime against the future of humanity. Now, a couple of decades later, more people start to realize how far sighted that remark was.

It may sound dramatic — until you realize we all do the same in smaller ways.

We build habits that reward us now but cost us later.

We stay in jobs that drain us because the paycheck feels safer than going after our dream.

We scroll for connection and end up feeling lonelier.

We eat for comfort, not nourishment.

We chase validation instead of peace of mind.

Each choice rewards us now but costs us later — in energy, integrity, and peace. It’s not evil. It’s just a system built to reward immediacy and disguise the bill.

But the moment we notice it, the pattern begins to break. And with that awareness comes a sweet sense of freedom.

Thank you for reading! The journal prompt of today:

“What habits feel rewarding now but leave you emptier later?”

Let me know in the comments.