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代文博
不要犹豫了 遵循你的选择 不要懦弱了 偶尔强势一点 不要给我丢脸啊 ——2020 6月22日 代文博
n5036
2020.06.23
致两年后的自己
当你收到这份信的时候已经两年后了。两年前的今天：今天是妇女节，刚好周日，斥三百大洋购得两盒一次性口罩
a骑着毛驴闯社会
2020.03.08
写给一年后的自己
今天的你是不是在剁手呀 希望现在的你不用再为想买一样东西左思右想了。2019加班的我。
djq_lzy
2019.11.11
给未来的自己
还记得她吗？...别为不值得的感情去付出5.17她生日去看看她告诉她时间没有消散一切我还喜欢她...
用户7006703922
2019.02.23
昨天在我
Are you OK? I want to be full energy today.
n3970
2019.01.12
for future xinky part.173
173天，诸事不顺，去了一个又一个，丹也有好的，就是我本来不舍得搞掉了也被搞掉了8.12 23:33
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.170
170天，散打班一个个都没来，一个个都要走了，最后会剩下多少人呢(=ﾟДﾟ=) 8.9 23:11
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
和李艳
和李艳结婚了吗？还是已经订婚了 永远不要忘记你20岁有多爱李艳 一定要和她结婚啊！！ 家里生意还好吗
n60
2017.07.28
20岁的我
20岁的我：你还好吗？我想对你说的，只有这么几句话，不要惹父母生气，待人接物方面不要变成自己讨厌的人
Ulrica
2017.07.03
阿雄
你2w5的车有没有你有钱吗你女朋友有没有你大学考上了吗你有好好努力吗别忘了最初的梦想妈妈生意成功了吗
好昵称不重要
2017.06.28
for future xinky part.80
第八十天，罗小黑战记终于看完了，坐等两个月后再次更新xddd，我还能活到下一集吗？5.6 22:13
过去的星奇
2017.05.14
猪
2019年你22了 猪 今天是2017年哦 昨晚收到了你的时光信 来试试给你也发一个
n1944
2017.03.06
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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