How a Practicing Witch Works With Time
You can create the future you want for yourself. You just have to believe in your power to do so. Remember, time waits for no one—so let's not waste the present.
Hi! I’m Miao and I overthink, overshare, overflow. Writing is a constant companion, whether it’s a creative release, a culmination of research, or a conscious effort to emulate someone else. I love to string words together. When the mood hits me, I also love communing and creating with brown women here at Unspoken. If your mood, on the other hand, should permit clicking the subscribe button—know that it would mean a lot. Subscribing tells us that you care about what we have to say. What a concept!
Recently, at my personal Substack, I wrote about the practical magic of time-traveling. You can accomplish this by leaving notes to your future self in journal entries, selfies, or other creative output—even Substack posts. But I wasn't clear about the fact that even though time-traveling that way is certainly possible, seeing into the future is not.
We live in three dimensions, not four. So, because of human life's nature and the technology currently available to humanity, we can't see past the present.
The future is hidden from us.
Looking Back at the Past
I confess that a huge part of what led me down the path of practicing magic and gradual self-improvement is the realization that I was drowning in nostalgia and choking on what should be happily remembered memories. For me, it was the combination of my three father figures passing away one after another, losing my dream job, and moving to an unfamiliar country on the opposite hemisphere that led to me gasping for air and getting pulled into the vast and unrelenting ocean of unwellness. But for others, the rip current may look and feel different.
Nostalgia is a currency that means a lot to me. I'm a trash collector—I press flowers given to me in books, save receipts and takeaway menu flyers, and generally make keepsakes from what others would think of as garbage. Why? I think it has something to do with my poor memory. I don't remember the past easily. When I think of my high school days, for example, I can remember certain moments but not the fine details—like how I passed my math classes or how I commuted back home from school. Keepsakes help me remember these things. They're like call numbers for the card catalog system that keeps my mind palace organized.
There are times when nostalgia and looking back at the past can be beneficial. When I was recovering from my stroke, I felt like I was a stranger to my own life. Along with talk therapy, going through my keepsakes, listening to my songs, and reading my journals helped a lot. Through them, I was able to piece together who I was before the stroke and how my personality has changed since then.
But for a practicing witch, constantly dwelling in the past can be detrimental. Nostalgia is a trap that can easily ensnare you. It's almost impossible to get out of it once you're caught. Like rip currents or quicksand, nostalgia pulls you back into your old ways of thinking and being—whether they were productive or not—instead of allowing you to move forward and adapt to the changing times. This can be especially harmful because practical magic is rooted in your present reality—a world where change is constant and adapting is key to survival.
Seeing the Present as a Gift
My practice still involves honoring the past and acknowledging its influence on the present, but I no longer feel like I'm drowning in it. These days, when I meditate, I don't spend much time in old happy memories. Instead, I focus on what I can do to create new ones. Better yet, I focus on what I can do to make sure that my lifespan is long enough to enjoy looking back at those yet-to-come happy memories.
As a witch or even just as a human being, I believe I have the power to bend and manipulate time in small ways—leaving notes for my future self or taking care of my present self consistently. I also believe in using time wisely, whether it's through self-care, learning new skills, or practicing magic. But ultimately, time is out of our control. It moves forward without pause or hesitation. Therefore, it's important to appreciate and make the most out of every moment we have while also staying grounded in the present.
Time, for me, is now a precious gift. It's an opportunity to create and shape my present reality. Instead of nostalgia, time is now the currency that means a lot to me. You can easily earn more money, but time is irreplaceable. Every moment is a chance to make choices that will lead me toward my desired future—the one I can't see but can definitely manifest through magic.
Creating the Future You Want
I talk a lot about manifestation—rightly so, as it's a huge part of my practice. However, it's not what social media portrays. It's not immediate gratification, but it's also not a complicated and unforgiving ritual. The core of manifestation is the belief that you have the power to create your own reality and that time is on your side. Every moment counts, but it's up to you how you use those moments.
Time can mean different things to different people. For a practicing witch, it can be both a practical tool for manifestation and a reminder to live in and make the most out of the present. Instead of getting trapped in nostalgia or worrying about the future, focusing on the present and taking control of your reality is where true practical and everyday magic lies.
Yes, what the future looks like is hidden from you, but you don't need to know what your future looks like to create it. By living in the present and making choices that align with your desires, you are already taking steps toward creating the future you want. Don't get caught up in trying to see into the future or dwelling too much on the past. Instead, use time as a tool for manifestation and appreciate the present as a chance to shape your reality.
You can start with manifestation by looking into the S.P.E.C. method or begin simply by letting go of what no longer aligns with what you want out of life. Whatever method you choose, remember that time is not just a concept or a measurement—it's a gift, and it's up to us to make the most out of it.
You can create the future you want for yourself. You just have to believe in your power to do so. Remember, time waits for no one—so let's not waste the present.
Photo by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash
Came through at just the right time. Thank you for reminding us that we are all magical. <3