Write a Letter to Your Future Self
Writing a letter to your future self can sound a little precious — until you actually do it. It isn't a diary. A diary records what already happened; this letter is addressed to someone who doesn't exist yet: the you of one year, five years, ten years from now. Somewhere in the writing, you'll catch yourself asking questions you never slow down for. What do I actually care about right now? Who do I hope that person becomes? What's the one thing only today's me can tell them? Plenty of people say they found their answer the moment they hit "seal." Below are real letters that writers chose to share with the world. Read a few — chances are you'll know exactly what you want to say.
Ideas to get you started
- Start with right now: today's date, where you're sitting, what just happened. The forgettable details are exactly what future-you will treasure.
- Ask your future self a few questions. Did you finally do the thing? Is that person still around? Questions travel through time better than statements.
- Include a promise or an inside joke only the two of you share. It'll land perfectly on opening day.
- Don't aim for polished. A rambling honest letter beats a tidy generic one every time.
Real letters from the vault
4433 public letters未来的我，你好
哈哈，橙子，你好呀现在的你还好吗？在干什么呢？我正在房间里给你写写封信呢，现在初三了，学习也紧张了，想要考二中，可是和她们约好了考一中，但我也不知道能考到哪里。现在的你在做什么工作呢？是不是找了一份轻松的工作呢？我现在想的太多了，以后你可别这样哦，每天开开心心的就好了，至于感情嘛
北瞳呀
2017.02.27
写给未来的…
想问未来收到信件的自己，有没有遵守并完成自己的目标……
vvwsaa
2017.02.27
for future xinky part.15
十五天，不知道为什么从初一到现在都能和历史老师说的来，而且初一二是历史课代表来着，初三虽然不是，但是也一样。主要是我历史也考没多少啊，和历史这么有缘？2.28 21:30
过去的星奇
2017.02.28
写给未来的你
嘻嘻，哈喽啊。你应该现在24了吧。好好生活，我现在为你努力。你要记得勿忘初心哈。不能被生活打倒哦。
Galaxy1113
2017.03.02
给不久后的自己
嗨。 老实说一个月并不算太长的时间，也许那时候的你看到这封信也不会有多大的感触。但没关系，我写这些东西的原因只是想让你看，仅此而已。 我拒绝以庸俗平常的调子来开这个头。我对你有所期望，是因为对自己有所期望。跟以往不同的是，这一次我不会将所有希望押在未来身上，不
乔治卡林
2017.03.02
for future xinky part.16
第十六天，囤积的小怪已经杀了一部分了，现在差快捷击杀方法 ｸﾞｯ!(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧数学tmd
过去的星奇
2017.03.02
for future xinky part.17
第十七天，黑马是半路冲出来的，但它也会倒下 只有一直稳妥前进的白马才不会控制不好自己so你能怎样3.2 20:58上一封3.1 22:14
过去的星奇
2017.03.02
2017年年中的你，请注意查收
最近过的太糟糕了每天没有很多的正事，只是在不停的浪费时间打游戏，刷网页面临抉择，我再一次表现出了选择困难症不知何去何从然后在宿舍静候等待浪费生命北京啊你是一座围城我不知道自己究竟进不进得去究竟该不该进去西安的日子会比较舒服我知道但是但是但是安逸只会使我变成废人大概就像是现在这大概
江北夜狼
2017.03.03
for future xinky part.18
第十八天，悄悄告诉你吼我昨天没干什么而且忘了写，所以没有记录，只有对话2333.4 19：:46
过去的星奇
2017.03.05
for future xinky part.20
hey，第二十天了，我嘛，把这月的蓝灯流量弄完了，所以以后的我你千万千万不要打我昨天建小学群嘛，虽然大概可能和想的有点偏差啦，但是今天似乎有变好的趋势哦
过去的星奇
2017.03.05
for future xinky part.21
第二十一天，诸事不顺，周围也变得有些不好了无话可说3.7 20:04
过去的星奇
2017.03.07
写给三年后的自己
hello啊自己，现在是2017.3.9下午16:05你刚刚从中关村医院高招体检回来，还和高燕峥，刘婧宇，陆程一起吃了午饭，就在超市发旁边的京川婆婆，那家店还在吗？你还在北京吗？你上了哪所大学呢？还和她们联系吗？还有吴明桓。。你们还有联系吗？你们最初的那些构想都实现了吗？你的高考
昌昌昌
2017.03.09
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I send it?
One year and five years are the most popular. For your first letter, go with one year — far enough to forget what you wrote, close enough to stay excited. Once you're hooked, try ten.
Can I reread my letter after sending it?
No. Once sealed, not even you can open it before delivery day. That's by design — so the surprise stays intact when it finally arrives.
How do I know I'll actually receive it years from now?
On delivery day you'll get both an email and a text message. Every letter also comes with a 6-digit claim code as a safety net — even if your contact info changes, the code gets you in.
Write a Letter to Your Future Self
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