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
3795 public letters
Photo letter
我是一年前的你
现在是2019年2月12日18点27分，收到这封信的话，那就是还剩下半个学期的时间高考，大概不到一百天了吧。这一天，或者说这几天，非常的怠惰呢。每天凌晨才睡，这一年我非常高兴，因为今年你收到的压岁钱史上最多，大概四千多吧。但是不是很高兴鸭，15号六点半我就要坐在教室里了。我的作业纹丝不动。我的腹肌也
反牛顿呆毛
Feb 12, 2019 · Traveled 1 year
写给未来的匡匡姑娘
嗨，你好呀！2023年的自己。你收到信的时候应该是2023年的12月23日，你的阳历生日。大概是……28？现在是2019年的2月13日，下午。难得的空闲。是这样的，我现在在准备考研，你知道，专科考研的难度还是挺大的，可是我就是想试一下。其实现在的工作也挺不错的，也有想过嫁人生子然后一了百了，可是我总
匡匡姑娘
Feb 13, 2019 · Traveled 4 years 10 months
给自己
今天你在干嘛 他妈的还开始越来越不爱练舞 你到底是来谈恋爱的还是来跳舞的 大学呢 文化呢 好好学 加油操你妈的 不适合就算了 对自己对别人都不好
舔菊花的大象
Feb 15, 2019 · Traveled 1 month
三个月后的你，一定会开心地生活的！
知道你自己现在度过一段很艰难的时间，理智和冷静告诉我要怎么做，但控制情绪这件事，有时候好像大脑真的管不住。没关系，现在自己已经很清楚不是为他难过，确实不值得啊！再给自己两三天时间，为自己难过。但我相信，三个月后的我肯定又回归开心独立有思想的我了！
n4013
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 3 months
写给未来的自己
希望未来的自己更加优秀，作为老师，女儿和朋友的挚友！未来的自己要带父母游遍祖国大好河山，和相爱的人环游世界！未来的自己事业往上发展，家庭幸福美满，父母健健康康！未来的自己一定不要辜负现在努力打拼付出的自己！未来的自己要更美丽更快乐！未来的自己要更加闪耀！加油！
n4015
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 1 day
给100天后的自己
亲爱的Kasumi,This is my first time to write myself a letter .The purpose is to say thanks for the hardworks on keeping reading English in 200 days.Succes
n4021
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 3 months 10 days
hi miranda
Dear Miranda, I am writing to you 100 days earlier~The reason why i am approaching to you in 100 days is because i think from this year on ,you should
Miranda_SunPeng
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 3 months 12 days
Photo letter
写给98天后的自己
希望你不要后悔现在的决定
n4036
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 3 months
写给未来的自己
不知道那时的自己能成为什么样子，是否还是这样的犹豫不决，患得患失的。希望未来的自己能够大胆的往前走，其实所有的都是自己在给自己设限而已，没有任何人阻止你，除了你自己能够而已。今天也是自己开始制定一个让自己自律起来的方案，不管怎样，但最起码要让自己好起来，不要自己再像以前那样无能。什么都没做自己何必吓
n4040
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 6 months
Photo letter
皓宝的未来人生
皓宝: 展信快乐 想必现在的你已经知道自己要去哪里了吧，无论是清华还是北交亦或是需要重新来过，我都希望你看淡人生。很多事，需要自己努力，亦有很多事需要命运，所以需要努力，但是要学会放过自己。 加油吧，希望收到这封信时候的我，可以考到理想的学校！ 皓宝，未来可期！
n4042
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 6 months
写给六月的我
亲爱的自己: 半年时间过去了，想必这段时间我认真读书，努力做人，和儿子一齐进步，虽然岁月催人老，但愿我能经得住岁月的风霜，保持一颗乐观向上的心，在学习的路上越走越远。愿我一切安好！Y.Y
依依
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 3 months 16 days
写给100天后的自己
常记单词词组，头疼不知出处。幸得薄荷阅读，英语派对开启。打卡、打卡、一百天后薄发。
n4061
Feb 16, 2019 · Traveled 7 days
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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