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刘小奇 你好
不看电子书，不玩游戏，不睡懒觉年年底 老子要想办法存够20万块钱 ，买房子老子要
n606
2015.01.12
刘小奇你好！
不看电子书，不玩游戏，不睡懒觉年年底 老子要想办法存够20万块钱 ，买房子老子要
n606
2015.01.12
好吧，其实我写这个纯属无聊
因为这是短时间内第4封了，也是最后一封，就是想问问你怎么样，未来的我？其他不必多说，你我都懂。
n447
2014.09.17
写给未来的…
这时候的自己，是什麽样？家人一定要幸福美满。我自己呢？喜欢的职业，梦想。那是，自己已经25岁了
n132
2013.05.08
给未来的自己
心情很不好，太多的事情让自己很烦恼。 希望三年后的自己能够事事顺心
_Suit_Tie
2013.03.17
阿夜
未来的我28号的出道怎么样？形象怎么样了？后缀有变吗？前缀呢？未来的我，重点观察对象是水开白
liangyt6
2026.03.25
阿夜
未来的我25号的出道怎么样？形象怎么样了？后缀有变吗？前缀呢？未来的我，重点观察对象是水开白
liangyt6
2026.03.19
亲爱的胖子
刚吃了一个油饼，你还好吗，现在大概116kg，减下来了吗，要活下去，比116kg更瘦的活下去
头疼患者
2022.10.08
写给两年后的你
要是我们还在继续的话这是我们谈的两年零七十四天，今天是你的生日，在这祝你生日快乐，开心每一天
睡觉分节符
2022.08.31
给一年的后的赵雨婷
又过去一年了 忘记刘晨了吗找到自己喜欢的人了吗找到对象了吗妈妈变好了吗工作稳定了吗攒到钱了吗
齐齐
2022.06.20
来自2021年6月6日的偏口鱼
这是一年前的偏口鱼，如果你真的能收到这封信的话，就会收获一份幸运，高考一定能考好，哈哈，加油
n7164
2021.06.06
5年前的你
嘿，快要过年了，五年前的你第一次去了厦门打工，为了实现你未完成的梦。五年过去了，你实现了吗？
玉米
2020.12.01
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
Write yours