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 lettersFor future xinky part.50
五十天，清明哟，人多哟，听说会被晒黑哟，两只手都是黑的[em]e136[/em]今天似乎发生了些不可思议的事情嘞（因吹思婷）4.4 20:45
过去的星奇
2017.04.04
致大学毕业后的你
我大学四年，一共有三个愿望。一愿考上心理学研究生，二愿练好古筝，三愿瘦到100斤，把自己塞进旗袍里！！！！
冬日的阳光
2017.04.05
For future xinky part.51
第五十一天，好家伙，我看了好几种占卜术了，然后。。。。一个占卜操作方法都没有推背图居然是两个装逼的占卜师到城里装逼占卜然后占着占着上瘾了，才会推到现在的。4.5 21:01
过去的星奇
2017.04.05
Write to myself----- no aim
Dear myself： Suddenly found this website, listened from an uncle, he said i should write somethig to myself, which including my future, m
Elena饬樱
2017.04.06
for future xinky part.52
第五十二天，占卜之术，知识量之大，超乎我之想象。今日我观天象阴沉，必定不顺，果然，什么书本忘带，昏昏欲睡等事便不多说预知后事如何，请。。没有了再见4.6 20:19
过去的星奇
2017.04.06
时间都去哪了
时间过的很快 现在的我应该有了一份工作 爸妈年纪大了 我会更努力 加油吧 小桢桢
n1997
2017.04.08
for future xinky part.53
第五十三天，忘到了第二天xdddd大家都在说早(ಡωಡ)hiahiahia今日并无大事遂不多言4.8 00:02
过去的星奇
2017.04.08
给未来的自己
现在的我在三亚…不知道两年后的你在哪里…你身边的人都还在吗…你过得幸福吗…祝你永远开心。
n2000
2017.04.09
for future xinky part.55
第五十五天，今天有毒啊，夜空的图.还有一大早看到zzy又提我了，我能不照做嘛总的来说，今天还是很不错滴，除了一丢丢感觉自己根本就没有智商外4.9 22:13
过去的星奇
2017.04.09
for future xinky part.54
第五十四天，重新看了石头门还是那么有感觉哈哈哈反向4.8 23:35
过去的星奇
2017.04.09
写给三年后的自己
嘿，三年后的我，生日快乐！！你现在还好吗？我说，我还有很多事情想问你呢！不如咱们一件一件地来怎么样？(感觉跟自己聊天好像挺尴尬的样子)，我说，你啊，找到女朋友了吗？还是已经娶媳妇了？哈哈，这样子算起来你好像25岁了吧，不知道你以前考公务员的志向发展到哪里去了，不过啊，我好害怕你半
n2002
2017.04.09
for future xinky part.56
第五十六天，凭感觉推测天气似乎可行啊，就是还要继续测量数据调查调了一会人就跑了，这也是太。。。。.10 21:26
过去的星奇
2017.04.11
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