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 lettersfor future xinky part.91
第九十一天，事情越来越有趣了，帝国出了修仙插件，龙源开了丧尸围城，粘土出了碾鸭 5.17 21:19
过去的星奇
2017.06.01
for future xinky part.43
第四十三天，这次没忘了ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ考试希望考好点这毕业考不知道会是怎么算的3.28 21:26
过去的星奇
2017.03.28
股市怎么样了？钱回来了吗？宠辱不惊，涨跌随意
股市怎么样了？唯一的信仰还在吗？这次的股灾国家挺住了吗？我会被击败吗？不能，我不能被击败，我要自己战胜
brianjohn
2015.07.03
写给我自己
这个月你经历了布少事吧，不要伤心，不要害怕。十会更，不在怕事情了，什么都去尝试人生很短，不尝试你后悔哦
show_wen520
2013.10.23
给未来的自己，未来的你会感谢现在拼命的自己！
至少我很坚强，我很坦荡。加油吧，为你那残存的梦想加油吧！！我要在这个孤独的城市找到一个属于我的地方@！
Knoll
2013.05.26
汤正婷
希望你每天都很开心，不要像我一样天天烦，能够做你每天想做的事情，不会受世俗的影响，为自己的理想而奋斗
n8189
2022.11.01
《✍五年后的小杨
Hello！ 你好呀！小美女！25岁生日快乐！
莉
2022.04.04
暑假.
这个学期又没了，我希望你好好努力，你可以好好放松了，两个月假，汽水，阳光，沙滩，晚风，新学期再见吧.
用户7598910617
2021.04.25
写给50岁的自己
2021年的3.29晚上，喝茶，闲聊，给朋友打电话，突发奇想，给自己发一封信，愿未来的日子越发甜美。
n6880
2021.03.29
俩年后的你
俩年后希望你不管你以后是在部队发展还是，回到故里找一份简单的工作都希望你前程似锦，归来仍是当年少年郎
用户6017825135
2020.11.29
蓓蓓
哈喽！蓓蓓！是不是很懵逼，这是五年前的我给你写的信，我从来没有写过信，也没想到会在五年后的你给你写✍
杨子
2020.11.28
2023
如果在你30岁的时候还没自己稳定的事业。记得给自己一个机会，让自己出去放松下。去看看自己喜欢的地方。
n5132
2020.07.23
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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