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邓茹芯
喜欢还差一点希望你能继续努力。砥砺前行环游中国的梦想还差多少？另一半找到了吗
唯恋丶曟熙
2020.07.22
在。是谁敲打我窗？
嗯，不管是不是还在吧，总之，现在就是十年前了。到底是谁，你到底选择了什么？！
n5056
2020.06.26
寄未来
实习工作了？还是课多了？加油！两年了，对了，今天是刚进大学的第二个月零二天。
锦衣缇骑在镇江
2019.11.09
2019730413刘硕桓环境设计
加油吧，生活不止眼前的苟且，还有诗和远方的田野。
fdghdfgth
2019.10.24
未来5年后的我你还好咩，
哈喽！你好！未来的我！ 当你看到写封信的时候，你可能已经忘了什么时候发送的吧
姒相
2018.06.24
写给未来的我
你有变化了吗？阅读速度提升了吗？可以顺手就直接写英语句子吗？请给出你的改变？
n2909
2018.04.25
写给未来的…
离年假开始还有7天 今天列好了这7天的大致规划 希望一年后的你每天的做的更好
Gc
2018.02.04
for future xinky part.163
163天，说是旅游啦，真的就是游而已...2017年8月1日22:46:31
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.145
145天，今天散打减了30分钟，就少了30分钟腿酸。。。7.13 22:31
过去的星奇
2017.08.15
for future xinky part.136
第136天，要是天天晚上这么练，我觉得我应该没力气写这个了[图片已丢失]7.2 22:35
过去的星奇
2017.07.08
for future xinky part.109
No.109还没暑假，倒是把暑假事情给定好了，还真忙2336.4 20:42
过去的星奇
2017.06.25
for future xinky part.106
No.106还真有人羡慕小学生放假2333333333醉6.1 21：:15
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
Write yours