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致30岁的自己
哈喽，亲爱的自己，如果你收到了这封信，请你一定不要诧异。因为这是我5年以前寄出来的。希望你已经拥有了以下的几样东西：1.在国外读了3年书，英语，法语，日语，韩语都非常流利。2.拥有一套江景房，其中包括了一个高现代化的厨房。3.拥有随笔而画的高超画艺。4.拥有存款150万。一辆奥迪
爱吐血的花栗鼠
2017.03.18
你做到了没有？
雅思考试，去参加了没？考试考的怎么样？你一定考到了7分吧。恭喜恭喜哟接下来你就是要准备研究生考试了，数学140+，政治70+，英语70+，专业课130+，你一定可以的，不能再像上次那一样，临阵脱逃。废你妈的什么话。考试而已，你都考过无数片了。考级已经很娴熟了，斗技达到了天阶，不要
爱吐血的花栗鼠
2017.03.18
未来，你好
hi未来，你好！此时此刻的你是怀着怎样的心态读这封短短信，我知道你一直喜欢将手中的内容用语言读出来，那么，我要写的多文艺呢？可惜我选了文科，却学不好语文。一个月后的你，是否还坚持着那份小小的，不算是信念的信念，你是放弃了？还是继续默默守候。现在的我天天被烦缠身，烦字什么时候成了口
淡蓝色的微笑_11750
2017.03.18
写给未来的自己
嘿！十年后的自己，突然兴起想到写给未来的自己，在网上找地方可以寄给未来，读大一的我没有规划，没有梦想，没有未来，谈过一次恋爱，整天盲无目的的生活,报了很多培训班，要考很多证书，但是现在我却没有任何的奋斗，我不知道的未来是那种家庭主妇还是事业女强人，也有可能是无所事事的无业游民，我
n1959
2017.03.19
for future xinky part.30
第三十天，居然拖了三天噗，不过忘了说什么了，就说说我用的好感度系统吧此根据游戏而制定的交际方式初始值为好感度=20（就是不认识也是一样）好感度=25（刚刚认识）好感度=30（普通朋友）30＞好感度≤60（很好的朋友）60＞好感度≤90（好朋友）90＞好感度（best friend
过去的星奇
2017.03.21
for future xinky part.31
第三十一天，你根本就不知道滑稽的力量真不像我呢，难道不是每天都是神经病的表情吗3.17 17:59
过去的星奇
2017.03.21
for future xinky part.32
第三十二天，修仙修仙，我们的目标是没有蛀牙233祝我生日快乐，感谢所有祝福我的人嘿嘿嘿(º﹃º )3.17 23:28
过去的星奇
2017.03.21
for future xinky part.33
三十三天，ｸﾞｯ!(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧坚持不懈的我你说这人呢，吃鱼的时候不会有罪恶感，自己亲自弄了，却开始有罪恶感了3.18 22:53
过去的星奇
2017.03.21
for future xinky part.34
第三十四天，夢見一群骷髏（就百鬼夜行那種感覺）我和同伴裝死骷髏不敢動，似乎骷髏是要去海裏覓食（腦洞好大）似乎我們在一個空島上（骷髏怎麼上來）剛開始有個拿著刀的似乎是要獵殺骷髏啊，有個像指環王裏跟著主角的怪被威脅著到了這裏來（大概是指路的）就這樣了，夢很短，反正不外乎就是黑夜，骷髏
过去的星奇
2017.03.21
for future xinky part.35
第三十五天，下午去聽了學校的燈謎講座，果不其然沒有一個認識的，都是7.8年級的，我們好像異類，而且還看不到加聽不懂（到底叫我們去幹嘛啊，超傻眼的）應該算不錯啦，增長見識嘛！就是下午咪個眼就不想起來了ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ3.20 21:11
过去的星奇
2017.03.21
for future xinky part.36
第三十六天，又改回简体字了【你到底是要闹哪样】今天天气很好哦，随即而来的便是心情也好了很多，想通了一些事，不过天天这么天气好也不行啊，那岂不是很无趣？所以才有这么多天气的吗？果然今天也是一样的瞎讲一通3.21 20:30
过去的星奇
2017.03.21
for future xinky part.37
第三十七天，体育考【我还能说什么、狂哭】昨天说不能够天天晴空万里，今天就....3.22 20:39
过去的星奇
2017.03.22
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
Write yours