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

hi

hi,今天的你很伤心,被好朋友放了飞机,一个人偷偷哭了很久。其实你自己也不知道自己为何情绪突然崩溃吧。最近的你很疲惫,我知道。大多数时候我都希望你可以把自己的心情放在首位,试着不那么体贴敏感。感觉写不下去了,眼泪还在哗哗地流。也没有什么要说的,最多只希望你可以快乐多一点,包袱少一点,就这样吧。

chaoliping000

Sep 21, 2024 · Traveled 1 year

Arrived 简体中文

kay 你好吗

hey 最近怎么样 我现在在悉尼 你在哪有没有考上博士 还是留在澳洲呢 有没有大厂保底工作 申请香港身份 找到合适的女朋友 有没有练出好身材 还是在当公务员 日语练的怎么样 爸妈身体怎么样 姐姐生活怎么样 希望你可以坚定目标 实现最初的梦想!

1034254657

Sep 23, 2024 · Traveled 1 year 3 months

Arrived 简体中文

到2025年了

新年好啊!有觉得2024的这一年收获满满吗?你期待2025年吗?现在是上大学的第22天,今天是第一天放假,军训和上课无缝衔接,你感觉有点累,上的课也有点无聊,你是否真正的适应了这种生活,为何会一边抱怨一边怀念,为何会希望某个日子的到来却又希望时间再慢一点。这个大学,和你想象中的是不是不一样,目前为止

hcx11223344

Sep 28, 2024 · Traveled 1 day

In transit 简体中文

2029年的你还好吗

五年了,过的还好吗?现在的我刚刚进入公司实习

574026692

Sep 28, 2024 · Will travel 4 years 3 months

Arrived 简体中文

给高考完后的你

你好啊,我是来自2024.10.1日的你,现在你已经高考完了吧,或许你正在和同学一起吃饭,又或是跟着谁谁在外玩耍,可能你没有什么时间看这封信,但是我也希望你能看完.... 现在的我正在被一个女孩和高考不断的冲击,这个女孩呢,很可爱,很温暖,不知道什么时候我对她产生了好感,可她也是我前两个girlfr

17

Oct 1, 2024 · Traveled 8 months 8 days

Arrived 简体中文

给三年后自己的一封信

Hello 三年后的自己你还好吗 我已经初三啦 很快就要面对中考了 人生中的第一次大考 好紧张!现在的我既担忧中考又提不起学习的劲 很害怕考不上好的高中 三年后的我是否考上自己理想的高中和有没有良好的交际关系呢!现在的我特别渴望钱 三年后的我会不会家里情况好转变得有钱一点呢?我总是相信我天生就是一个

a3309136092

Oct 2, 2024 · Traveled 1 day

Arrived 简体中文

你自己

真正能给你撑腰的,是丰富的知识储备,足够的经济基础,持续的情绪稳定,可控的生活节奏,和那个打不败的自己。以后的日子去多长点本事,多看世界,多走些路,把时间花在正事上,变成自己打心底喜欢的人。​

liuzhengqiqq

Oct 3, 2024 · Traveled 1 day

In transit 简体中文

致未来的自己

一封来自2024年10月6日的信你好,未来的我: 很高兴能给你写这一封信(◍•ᴗ•◍)现在的你30岁了,迈入三十大军的你,更爱自己了(●ơ ₃ ơ)♥为你点赞👍🏻 虽然还有很多的不足,但是你也在不断前进,充实自己的生活,去旅游,去看世界;去学习,去提高自己~ 人多的地方,总是有很多的言论,但请你坚定

1490435886

Oct 6, 2024 · Will travel 23 years 6 months

Arrived 简体中文

成长与蜕变-未来三个月的自己

想写的话有很多,但真正下手打字时却不知从何说起。或许是压抑太久,工作、婚姻、两性关系都让我无时无刻不焦虑,表面乐天派,实则内心狂躁不安,遇事则不静~何时才能修炼成沉重内敛稳重的性格啊,答案显然是未知的。未来三个月我不求自己变得多么优秀,多么自律,给自己立很多很多Flag,就两字“开心”,工作焦躁开心

茉莉花开

Oct 6, 2024 · Traveled 2 months 26 days

Arrived 简体中文

2024.10.8

最近真的是病了哦,也没有味觉,也睡不着觉。不知道,明年这个时候的你咋样,珍惜啊,有味觉的日子,用了几种抗生素了,左氧氟沙星比较有用。谁不着不知道为啥

13924630205

Oct 8, 2024 · Traveled 11 months 29 days

Arrived 简体中文

给未来的自己

现在是秋天的一个普通晚上,我刚经历完高中的第一次月考 很差很差 没想到自己竟然如此没用 这个月你一定要好好努力 别荒废自己 期待你在期中考试中将大局逆转

2258826990

Oct 14, 2024 · Traveled 29 days

Arrived 简体中文

生日快乐啊

hello,来自2023/10/16的张淮序祝你20岁生日快乐!

2788013235

Oct 16, 2024 · Traveled 5 months 21 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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