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现在过得怎么样？
季江。现在写这封信的时候呢，你的第二个儿子就要出生了。有没有期待呢。儿子的名字就叫季泽昇。目前你的外债有京东1万4。中信5K。交通2.5W。平安1W。一年过去了，有好转了吗？大儿子现在要准备上学了吧。泰兴的房子装修了吗？工资还是6200多吗？涨了多少呢？去年的业绩达成了吗？今年的
小小轩无悔517
2017.08.08
写给未来的…
在某一天，你突然有了个想法，做一个《写给未来的信》然后你激动了，非常激动，觉得自己找到了个目标，让人生不那么无趣，或许还可以赚钱弥补一下微薄的工资。你热血沸腾，跃跃欲试，一堆一堆想法涌上你的心头。 然后你灵机一动，好奇的搜索了一下这个想法，你搜到了两个网址，一个是国外的，一个是中
moonnly
2017.08.10
你还好么
嗨，十年后的你，你还好么，你是在苟延残喘的生存，还是风光无限的生活，我想这时的你已经有了家庭了吧不知道有没有孩子，如果有他会很可爱吧，你的那个她很漂亮吧。 你有没有出去看看，那是你的理想啊。突然不知道该给你说些什么，一直说希望自己以后不会变成自己讨厌的人，但是我也不
亾亡亾
2017.08.11
九月
希望你下个月可以解决以下几个问题，不多说了，实习的事情可以写个文章分析利弊，然后再决定。第一重困境：俗话说，行动是服务于一个特定的目标的。我们想完成一件事情，首先考虑它有多大，它可能几分钟就搞定，可能需要十天半个月，有的则是以年为后缀，所以这时候就需要分开。如果这件事大到2周完不
SnowNightsWatch
2017.08.13
今天是你们正式提出分手的两年
当你看到这封信的时候 不知不觉已经两年了 曾经你给自己承诺过不浪了 不知道 你自己现在过得怎么样 倒是可以告诉你 17年你是怎么过来的 你经历了 云南 上海 安徽 南京 苏州 整个山东 还是不知道 自己该做些什么 一年下来 你没有挣到一分钱 特别提一句 你在
こ胡胡呀
2017.08.14
for future xinky part.143
第143天，又把zz护法给耍了@B09李恋君 不知道为什么，感觉和护法胡扯挺有趣的7.11 23:18
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.145
145天，今天散打减了30分钟，就少了30分钟腿酸。。。7.13 22:31
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.148
148天，前天做了个梦，我好像在个咖啡厅工作，然后突然玩起了qq飞车，要知道那车都很有毒的，玩电脑还没什么感觉，身临其境就很尬了，人比车大(ಡωಡ)hiahiahia 而且地图赛道也不是我以前看过的。后面玩完退出，有人进来要吃蛋糕[图片已丢失]一块块的ｸﾞｯ!(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.149
149天，我发现，在梦里可以知道别人在想什么，尤其在和人对话的时候，最近的梦里，这种能力消失了，百度也没有得到信息7.17 22:24
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.150
150天，我发现了我训练前后的心态耶训练前∶噜啦啦噜啦啦训练时∶啊啊啊啊啊[图片已丢失]训练后∶好像也没什么(=_=)7.18 21:46
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.151
151天，其他地方好像很热的样子呢，我们这在下雨hiahiahia7.19 22:18
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.152
第152天，昨天又忘了写。。今天是这几天来最累的了，状态还不好，我都怀疑是不是喝了虚弱药水。7.21 23:20
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
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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