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
5529 public letters好了吗？
20周岁了 高低也是奔2了 今年生日旁边有人陪了嘛 肯定挣到钱了吧 应该快乐了吧
u
2021.08.08
2020：4.10：7.54
你还好吗，你还是那个你吗，你在和喜欢的人在一起吗，你是否嘛木了生活变成了骆驼祥子
n6916
2021.04.10
给三年后的李老师
现在是2024年了吗 我是来自2021年的自己 三年后请问你现在还是单身吗...
n6452
2021.02.09
陈桂轩
新年快乐。你也该18岁了。祝你生日快乐今年我17岁你现在18了。我是15岁的hm
n5978
2020.11.29
两年前的自己
阿风你胆子小不爱说话特别是女孩子，希望两内要对小魏说你喜欢她，最好她是你女朋友。
十一啊
2020.06.26
写给未来的…
最近怎么样？是不是被网课逼疯了？我知道你想自杀，但是你要相信明天蛮好的，宝贝加油
Orson的3号小迷妹
2020.04.16
嘿，姚朝鑫，今天你生日呦
嘿，姚朝鑫，今天你生日，还记得吗？不论发生了什么，今天一定要快乐哦，爱你，么么哒
朝呐
2019.12.19
你好吗？我是两小时前的你
我现在在看美剧，你在干什么呢？虽然你无法回复我，但是我还是要祝你幸福辛福快乐美满
n3981
2019.01.17
寄给未来的自己
未来的三个月，开始学习英语，跟着薄荷英语一路成长。希望三个月以后，自己能有所提升
夏梦寒
2018.04.26
来自三年前的自己
在上大学吗? 还是早已漂泊在外? 努力吧不要放弃!让自己更累一点，就可以做得更好
微笑
2018.03.04
给23岁的朱
找到男朋友了吗 结婚了吗 男朋友帅吗 多金嘛是你理想中的样子吧…好担心你的眼光呀
n2307
2017.07.30
for future xinky part.117
No.117从今天开始到星期日7天，共七科，每日一科yooo6.12 21:57
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
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