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.
How to write this letter
- 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
5609 public letters写给你的信
瘦了吗？有男朋友了吗？还喜欢他吗？养了一年半的头发剪短了吗？如果都是yes。恭喜你，生日快乐快乐超级快乐啊
n3455
2018.10.08
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.119
No.119Ben 10才是我的童年幻想吧(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)小时候就想着这样啊6.14 21:25
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
致大学毕业后的你
我大学四年，一共有三个愿望。一愿考上心理学研究生，二愿练好古筝，三愿瘦到100斤，把自己塞进旗袍里！！！！
冬日的阳光
2017.04.05
蠢鹤er你好！ww
这个是一年前写的信哟这个时候的我和你关系怎么样啊，很好奇呀。或者说，你还记得我吗不过总觉得你会讨厌我呢。。
蚊子
2016.12.18
十年后的小太阳
亲爱的小太阳：亲爱的自己，十年了，你是否事业有成？是否家庭幸福？是否变得自信？是否成为了真正的小太阳？
小太阳Sunny
2015.12.22
祝自己生日快乐
哈哈 逗逼 今日是你生日 你应该很开心 祝自己生日快乐啊
ParTing
2015.11.02
两个月
不知不觉两个月了。期末要爆人品。奇妙物语两个月而已，take it easy，still nothing。
啦啦啦唱着歌的小天使
2015.01.14
写给明天的我
用别人的成绩、地位、影响来装点自己的门面是不自信的表现，谨记。说出来别人也不会看得起你，自己好才是真的好。
风拂过2013
2014.11.24
写给未来的…
一个月过去了你还是那么的懒么？真不敢相信自己的眼睛，你也老大不小了，现在不苦点，以后有你后悔的，你就等着吧
丑小鸭二二
2013.07.07
写给未来的…
我不知道未来的自己是不是会感谢今天的自己，十九岁我已经经历了好多，三年后的自己看到一定很开心，谢谢一路走来
陈某某Ww
2013.04.21
十年后的我你还好吗
我希望你依然幸福！成熟的女人优雅的气质不要被岁月洗去了你的光华，程程你仍然很棒！加油！我们大家都爱你！！！
klbooo
2013.04.08
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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