The day preconstruction method: A novel method to strengthen future self-continuity.

This article presents the day preconstruction method, a writing exercise designed to strengthen individuals' connection to their future selves. Across four preregistered randomized controlled experiments (N = 1,624), we tested whether the day preconstruction method strengthens future self-continuity and influences real monetary choices and valued living. The day preconstruction method reliably increased future self-continuity in all studies, with positive affect and vividness as consistent predictors. No effects were observed on real monetary delay discounting. In Study 4, however, participants who imagined a distant-future day showed increases in valued living over 1 week, an effect partially mediated by future self-continuity. These findings suggest that simple, scalable text-based interventions can strengthen psychological connectedness to the future self and support value-aligned behavior, even when economic behavior remains unchanged. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).