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四年过去了，姑娘，你还好吗。
四年过去了，姑娘，你还好吗。嘿。现在是2017,6,18，深夜00:24。今天是你二十周岁的生日，你有没有期待这个来自过去的信呢？你四分之一的生命已经过去了，这二十年，你的前十六年都在浑浑噩噩，后四年，你有没有努力学习，努力让自己变得更优秀？当初你曾说下“再不疯狂我们就老了”“现
n2127
2017.06.18
十年后的我，你现在怎么样。
我是21岁的盛庆，31岁的盛庆，你现在过的怎么样?现在的你有没有结婚？家人都好吗？工作顺利吗？有没有成为漫画家啊？你可能已经不记得了，十年前的你现在正在宿舍，听着新海诚的《星之声》的音乐，画着作业，给现在的你写信。十年了，十年前的你，每天拼命画画，脖子疼的不行。现在脖子好
盛庆
2017.06.18
来自十年前自己的一封信
都是自己，就不用在乎什么格式了。今天是21号，距离出高考成绩还有3天。不知道将来会怎么样，所以我选择了10年后寄出。10年后，那时候应该是28岁了，那时候会怎样了呢？有没有对象了呢？自己是不是正在做自己喜欢的工作？这些现在看来，都不知道啊。张嘉奇，无论怎么样，你都要坚持下去，加油
onlyzjq
2017.06.21
写给未来的…
这是来自17年的信，这时收到信息的你已经22了，并且你会去做一件重要的事情。或许你已经将它完成了。如果你失败了，没关系。有些事情是注定从你生命中路过的。请振作起来！如果你成功了，那么恭喜你。22岁的你要迈进一个新的天地了，务必保持好你的心境，向着好的方向前进，不要受外界影响，不要
树鱼酱
2017.06.24
给你寅
张寅 七年过去 你成为了什么模样 你会给年少的自己怎样的一个交代
n2138
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.107
第107天，今天拜托查理教我java了，嗯，期待暑假我能学到什么(ﾟoﾟ;6.2 21:55
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.108
第108天，你猜怎么着？今天新闻直播间播了洛天依的投食歌(ಡωಡ)hiahiahia6.3 20:43
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.110
No.110 今天被雷劈的啊，根本无法复活md6.5 21:16
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.111
No.111服务器玩不下去了，次次死叫我怎么玩6.6 21:41
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.115
No.115知道了更多囧菌的故事，还有教主来着这天和子民还有护法在群里聊啊2017年6月10日23:15:43
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.116
116天，今早是老黑了，啥都看不见，然后就去楼上数星星了，外面比里面更亮～(￣▽￣～)~停电啊，和爸，瑜锦上去睡觉6.11 21:29
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.117
No.117从今天开始到星期日7天，共七科，每日一科yooo6.12 21:57
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
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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