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写给未来的自己
亲爱的李海平， 也许你后悔当时的决定，考研考人大，或者是搞对象…… 现在你应该知道成绩了，考上了吗？你付出了一年的努力，想要证明自己比别人强，想要证明自己有多大能力，现在呢？你得到你想要的了么？现在是不是你想要的结果，你想要的生活？ 一年
lihaiping1996
2017.03.09
for future xinky part.22
第二十三天，嗯，我要说什么来着，忘了ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ这你可不能怪我，我。。你知道我健忘的，话说蓝灯每月500m流量为什么又有了，我不是用完了吗？上一篇寄到22号了，所以等22号的给你吧3.8 20:26
过去的星奇
2017.03.09
for future xinky part.24
第二十四天，手机弄好拿回来了，就是更新之后要把东西装回来，来来回回用了几个小时，还是蓝灯好几个小时包含去youtobe和facebook上乱逛xddd3.9 21:33
过去的星奇
2017.03.09
写给一年后的你
一年过去了。你是否还是这样的无拘无束，还是不知道如何管理自己的钱财。还是一如既往的，花着一些不该花的钱。这一年你是否找到了自己的另一半，你和他们还有联系吗？是不是有一点后悔。
n1947
2017.03.10
给一年后的你
How are you now ?Would you still remenber the goal that you have achieved in this year?Do you still worry about your body's herlthy?Do you s
徐一
2017.03.11
for future xinky part.25
第二十五天，昨天居然记错日期了。。。今天似乎还不错哦，群里也来了几个人课上也听得懂可以持续吗3.10 21:24
过去的星奇
2017.03.11
for future xinky part.26
第二十六天，我始终认为祸福相依，所以最近出现了几件能让我开心的事，那么...祸快点来吧。。。。别等中考再爆发啊，或者先预支点祸可以吗？上帝？我已经疯了3.11 22：37
过去的星奇
2017.03.11
for future xinky part.27
第二十七天，欸，真的是吗？有毒啊，这脑子。福无双至祸不单行，如果来了很多福，等死吧。(=￣ ρ￣=) ..zzZZ既来之则安之，反正都要死了，多想点有用的。3.12 20:39
过去的星奇
2017.03.14
for future xinky part.28
第二十八天，又差点忘记写了，坏事开始来了，可以，让暴风雨来的更猛烈些吧！这样得到的好结果才会更好！ｸﾞｯ!(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧加油哦！少年！
过去的星奇
2017.03.14
for future xinky part.29
第二十九天，天呐路，第一次坚持这么久 啊，真开心呢。不过，好像坏运有些许加重哦。本来下午爆发的瞌睡现在早上也会了。看了之前的自己，又开始觉得以前的我是智障了呢。我猜你也是这么想的吧。智障3.14 20:12
过去的星奇
2017.03.14
写给自己
一年就这样过去了，应该是放假了。很轻松还是很有压力？请你回头想想这一年你经历了什么，是否如你想象的那样。你说大学要改变，你改变了什么？你是否因为懒惰放弃了很多机会，是否因为怯懦失去了很多机会？这一年，你有收获吗？你得到你想要的了吗？你还记得当初的梦想吗？迎接大二，带
爱吉他的KiAile
2017.03.15
三年前的自己对现在的自己说的话
这些是我发自肺腑的话，酝酿着，想对现在的自己说:也许已完成梦想的一半，同济也好人大也好。希望能好好完成三年前对自己的许诺，即使不成功也求自己能问心无愧！不要因为自己的懒惰失去了对梦想的执着。写出这段话时我的眼泪忍不住流了下来，这天刚好是我军训后回到家中，不知道为什么感觉心很累，加
n1956
2017.03.17
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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