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30岁的白晔宁
来自十年前的你愿你的心依旧沉静无论悲欢离合阴晴圆缺身边的故人走新人来愿你保持赤子之心走完人生剩下三分之二
AkuRo
2015.08.13
亲爱的你
此时此刻，2013年5月28日早上9点11分。生气的时候莫说话。烦躁的时候听音乐。控制好你的情绪。。。。
给未来的林佳婷
2013.05.28
给未来的自己
哈哈，这个时候应该已经高考考完了吧，不知道你有没有考上自己想去的大学。希望自己每天开开心心的吧，哈哈。
n5885
2020.11.28
至王彦
我是十天前的你，这是你拼搏的第十天，离高考还有90天，希望你能做到不留遗憾请一定一定要拼尽全力啊！！！
了不起的帅彦彦
2020.02.29
寄未来
家庭成了嘛？哈哈哈，不要忘记你的爱好呀！！工作加油！！！生活加油！！！现在是刚进大学的第二个月零二天！
锦衣缇骑在镇江
2019.11.09
给三个月后的Hugo
Do the best you can !提升你的执行力！你的想法大多是对的 请一定要执行 坚持下去！
Hugo
2019.02.16
写给未来的…
希望可以过四六级希望可以打破三分钟热度希望对英语不再怀着侥幸的心理 能避开就避开希望我可以我可以我可以
n3103
2018.04.25
写给未来
一年后的你会怎样，一年后的自己又会有什么不同。
凉薄
2018.03.10
for future xinky part.143
第143天，又把zz护法给耍了@B09李恋君 不知道为什么，感觉和护法胡扯挺有趣的7.11 23:18
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.134
第134天，今天倒是来了个惊喜，我之前弄的V家俱乐部粉丝卡到了(*^▽^)/★*☆6.30 22:40
过去的星奇
2017.07.08
for future xinky part.108
第108天，你猜怎么着？今天新闻直播间播了洛天依的投食歌(ಡωಡ)hiahiahia6.3 20:43
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.92
第九十二天，丧尸围城真是个可怕的东西，根本不想打，还加了精英怪，我石剑怎么打嘛 5.18 22:16
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
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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