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 lettersfor future xinky part.153
153天，这几天一直嫌弃网易的挖钻石拿激活码，没想到今天登bbs上来就给了我一个激活码。。看日期还是前天的，也就是说我这几天都白嫌弃了。。。QAQ..7.22 22：44
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.155
第155天，因为挺无聊的所以某个我本人，开始写小说（xdddd写的什么东西啊）那啥，别弃坑啊7.24 22:51
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.156
156天，头晕目眩，真正感受到头晕目眩，四肢无力π_π7.25 23:08
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.157
157天，所以说，最近是流行旅游吗？怎么这么多旅游的，可怜的我今天还手抽筋了，你们却出去玩的很开心⁽˙³˙⁾◟(๑•́ ₃ •̀๑)◞⁽˙³˙⁾7.26 22:19
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.158
158天，我是知道为什么说散打危险了，qaqQAQqaq，这个打的我好疼7月27日22:19
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.159
160天today真是很混乱呢(σ･ω･)σYO♪，到底在想什么呢！7.29 23:20
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.160
160天today真是很混乱呢(σ･ω･)σYO♪，到底在想什么呢！7.29 23:20
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.161
161天，不知道龙之谷怎么样呢，明天又休息一天喽7.30 22:37
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.162
162天，龙之谷。。验证是有问题啊md十几分钟都说验证失败，可能吗？为此我还专门去调戏了客服。 2017年7月31日22:49:30
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.164
64天，我真是个操作渣，根本玩不好弓箭手，我还能怎么办[图片已丢失]网易啊，8.8号不限号测试也就是说我激活码没用了，我难得运气好参加活动被选中QAQ8.2 22:45
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.165
165天，天天到bbs水贴还没到6级..各种游戏看起来都不怎么好玩了..2017年8月3日23:00:12
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.166
166天，原来搞论坛还要上报国家啊，似乎挺麻烦的呢(σ･ω･)σYO♪不知道bbs是怎么出名的ｸﾞｯ!(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧该死，昨天又忘了8.5 22:13
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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