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

4454 public letters
Arrived 简体中文

给五年后的自己写一封信

你好8这是个测你好8这是个测试版你好8这是个测试版你好8这是个测试版

春未尽

Feb 7, 2024 · Traveled 6 months

Arrived 简体中文

一封来自2024年02月09日的信

永远爱自己,忠于自己!对自己保持满意!不管人生经历哪些事,都不至于时永远走不出的低谷,所以请你千千万万遍拯救自己于水火之中!

n3083

Feb 9, 2024 · Traveled 1 day

Arrived 简体中文

你好2024的沈聆悦

写给亲爱的自己: 展信佳 你好呀这位熟悉又陌生的朋友,2024这一年过得还好吗?有活成自己想成为的样子嘛哈哈哈,比如减肥成功变美变得有气质,比如过了四六级和计算机二级,又比如找到了一丝关于人生的方向?我相信你一直在为这些而努力着,可能有些确实没实现,但我相信你也是很棒的。人生是旷野不是轨道,你尽可以

沈聆悦

Feb 9, 2024 · Traveled 1 day

Arrived 简体中文

给高考之后的自己写一封信

现在肯定已经高考完确定去哪个学校了吧,目前高二的我其实还挺迷茫的,说实话我现在应该何去何从我心里面真的没有底,五年之后我会在一个什么样的学校毕业呢?大专?还是我梦寐以求的天津中医药大学,可能现在的我更适合大专,也只能上大专,但是我并不想止步于此,虽然父母的要求很低,仅仅上个天津医专就行,但是我还是感

华嘉鑫

Feb 11, 2024 · Traveled 1 year 5 months

Arrived 简体中文

给高考之后的我一封信

现在应该已经确定上哪所大学了吧,我相信我上的是一所本科,但现在高二的我处于人生的最低谷,我可能连天津的大专也考不上,但是我始终相信,我的命运不会止步不前,我还是希望我能考上天津中医药大学,这可以说是我的梦中情校,但如果真的只是考上了天津医专,那就只能认命喽,但起码也算是混上了天津的户口,说到这说到高

华嘉鑫

Feb 11, 2024 · Traveled 1 year 5 months

Arrived 简体中文

写给2025年的你

写这封信的时候,是2024年的2.11日,大年初二。今天我有一些感悟要对一年后的你说。你收到这封信的时候,是大年十五的前一天,也就是十四。 要对你说的事儿有很多,先从家庭、生活开始,最后到你的事业和发展。 希望今天的你看到这封信的时候,已经身为人父了。婚姻的事情,是两个人的事情,谨守初心,就好。 希

gwz9001

Feb 11, 2024 · Traveled 1 year

Arrived 简体中文

给五年后的自己写一封信

你好,王钰萌 当你收到这封信的时候已经是三年之后,这三年里不知道你过得开不开心,你肯定也会感叹这三年原来过的这么快哈哈哈哈,三年后就是2027年了,不知道你有没有考上自己喜欢的学校,现在24年的我想要去当演员考上中央戏剧学院或者北京电影学院,不知道这个愿望有没有实现呢?还有黑豆有没有长的更可爱,有没

physics

Feb 14, 2024 · Traveled 1 day

Arrived 简体中文

一封来自2024年02月14日的信

时光荏苒,光阴不再,我最终是独自一人快活逍遥,还是为了爱情委曲求全。

n6056

Feb 14, 2024 · Traveled 2 years

Arrived 简体中文

给五年后的自己写一封信

你是五年后的我吗,你现在过得怎么样有工作吗工资高吗,谈恋爱了还是结婚了有孩子了吗?

2917978854

Feb 15, 2024 · Traveled 1 day

In transit 简体中文

3年后

Hei,秦佳琪可能你已经忘记我写过这封信了,毕竟现在我也不确定这个是否能在3年后给我发出去。三年后,你应该考完研了吧,最保底应该过了发法考了吧,不知道你现在是否质疑过当初学法这个决定,其实我现在也对法学,又爱又恨,3年后我会是一个什么样的人,会在南方那个城市,不会在南方那个城市吃着泡面,抱怨着家里没

Zbc

Feb 15, 2024 · Will travel 3 years

In transit 简体中文

给未来写一封信

今年26了,还是很迷茫,装的很靠谱老练,不知道未来感情会不会顺利,工作会不会落实,毕竟已经博士毕业了,应该找到高校就职了吧,26年以来我都很信任自己,信任到了有点自负,我相信未来会更好,我现在在打完北原千夜2回家的路上,秦汉新城也越来越近,希望爸爸妈妈身体安康,未来就是找到了工作,也要注意让爸爸妈妈

n5642

Feb 15, 2024 · Will travel 4 years

Arrived 简体中文

一年后减肥成功的自己

减50斤啊 减到了吗 绝对没问题的 说不定减的更多

2746205892

Feb 16, 2024 · Traveled 1 year

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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