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
4434 public letters
写给未来的…
请大声告诉我，你和黎在一起了吗？？？？你们现在宝宝多大了？？？？你现在通过考试了吗？？？？？你现在做什么工作？？？？？你现在过得好吗？？？？？
Ruru
2017.05.28
写给两年后的自己
两年后的自己，你好，不知道你现在过得怎么样。作为大二时候的你，想对两年后的自己说一些话，有没有过分或者是什么的希望你不要介意，我也不是说心血来潮，而是想对以后的自己负责，希望他不会后悔当初所作的约定。说实话，大二的日子已经接近尾声，马上就要大三了，自己应该知道自己以后想要的是什么
浅安时光
2017.05.29
写给未来的…
这首诗 写在十年前的某个凌晨三点 在兴宁的家里 你一个人的时间 安静的黑夜该算今天或明天? 卷起一根烟 面对又要逼近的期限 如果你忘记 我帮你做个提醒 你现在正面临人生最烦的时期疏远了所有人际关係 我没有空 什么都没了那也没关係 我还有梦 当初只想挣脱束缚和期待 但现在却意外 比
颠沛而立
2017.05.31
生日快乐
生日快乐！！！！！！！！！！！！！！都过了2个月才写这封信，哎。。越来越懒惰了，好习惯呢？梦想呢？ 这一年经历是很丰富的，换了个公司，开头是美好的，也确实很努力，也确实很受器重，可以说天时地利人和，可惜最后功亏于溃。 从技术开始转型做产品，路途还很长
我的世界
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.91
第九十一天，事情越来越有趣了，帝国出了修仙插件，龙源开了丧尸围城，粘土出了碾鸭 5.17 21:19
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.92
第九十二天，丧尸围城真是个可怕的东西，根本不想打，还加了精英怪，我石剑怎么打嘛 5.18 22:16
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.93
第九十三天，我居然也能参与一个插件的建设，虽然只是知识方面的参考，但是也是很兴奋啊[图片已丢失]不知道真正开始玩是什么感觉呢(σ･ω･)σYO♪5.19 20:17
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.95
第九十五天，日日新，没了。意识到自己对人的态度还是有不好的地方5.21 22:20
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.96
第九十六天，因日日新得疑惑，因疑惑得状态，虽加成少，但比过没有。民公实在太慢了吧(＞＜)5.22 20:56
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.97
第九十七天，又遇一梦，十分孤单，此梦何解？梦见我一人考试回家，没人陪我聊天，都有事qaq5.23 22:02
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.98
第九十八天，vr真晕(=_=)神tm还加载不了5.24 21:01
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.99
第九十九天，下午挺困的，明明上午都不会。。莫名其妙被反作弊坑了，终于是见识到反作弊的威力了5.25 20:23
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
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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