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写给新入学的你
新入学的你，感觉怎么样呢？不管是困难还是挫折，你都要像个战士一样去克服它
22岁的李海琳
2017.03.06
回访的时间到了呢
现在的我，想到什么了吧？给她的回防，还需要么？你来决定吧，毕竟未来是你的
小毓
2016.10.16
写给自己的4个问题
此刻的你在做些什么呢？找到你喜欢的人没有？你去日本了吗？你还忠诚自己吗？
胡小俊
2016.07.25
给未来的你
嗨你好，我希望你可以努力。不要浪费时间了，做一个学生应该做的。我相信你。
ni是我写过最美的情书i
2016.02.16
写给未来的…
啊喂，第一封信没寄出去啊啊啊啊啊，简单跟你说吧，别忘了周末学舞蹈和钢琴啊
噜啦啦
2015.04.08
写给未来的我
未来的我过的还不错吧？个子长高了不？祝未来的我永远幸福！五个月之前的你！
n621
2015.01.24
写给未来的…王丹玫
傻逼玫，谢谢你做了许多于琴琴没有做的事，每次都让我开心起来，真的谢谢你，
我是施松嵩施松松施嵩松施嵩嵩
2013.06.29
2013年3月24日
一年前我写下这段话 希望一年后你无论在何处都不要忘了 有人在一直陪着你
加加减减点
2013.03.24
致未来的我
愿一帆风顺，顺顺利利，幸福触手可及！！！！！你最棒(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
3463018886
2026.03.10
来自...年前的时光邮件，请查收
不知道我们以后的路会如何 ，或者没有以后 。但我想你知道，我永远爱你。
宇
2024.01.23
嘿！一年啦
一年，你成长了嘛满足毕业的要求了嘛忘记该忘记的人了嘛学会打人生的牌了嘛
想要遗忘
2023.02.01
写给20岁的自己
今天是2021年 祝两年后的自己20岁生日快乐 顺顺利利 平平安安！！
不知名的陈先生
2021.12.20
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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