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来自...年前的时光邮件，请查收
小汪，你和你当初爱的人在一起了吗，你的事业和家庭美满幸福了吗？
聪仔
2024.01.22
未来的你，还好吗？
小汪，你和你当初爱的人在一起了吗，你的事业和家庭美满幸福了吗？
聪仔
2024.01.22
50岁的东子
梁正东我希望你50岁财务自由，儿子结婚了。过得很舒服。家庭合睦
n6495
2021.02.13
写给未来的姜成
后来走了太多夜路，那些没说出口的喜欢和想念，都跑去和星星作了伴
n6098
2020.11.29
给未来的臭傻逼夏思韵
今天这个时候吵架了我希望这是我们最后一次吵架一个月后验证一次！
n5835
2020.11.28
写给未来的你...
20年11月28号，半仙写给猫猫的，三个月，不知道你还在不在！
n5613
2020.11.28
写给未来のKevin（自己）
你好鸭，当前的你已经不存在了，请珍惜ing现在の时光吧~加油！
n4870
2020.03.30
写给未来的…
我真的好气，妈的，写好了，结果因为还没注册，页面刷新之后没有了
树袋熊的拉拉
2020.02.29
写给明天的自己
你已经比昨天的自己成长了吧，加油！生活是美好的，要坚强，要勇敢
小小怪狼
2019.11.04
写给未来的冯源
现在小学要毕业了，小说写完了吗？加油吧，希望看到你辉煌的未来!
冯源
2018.12.21
你一定可以！
100天后，一定会遇到个更好的自己！！加油(ง •̀_•́)ง
n3049
2018.04.25
写给100天后的自己
一百天后希望自己喜欢上英语阅读，词汇有所丰富，希望一百天有所获
n2924
2018.04.25
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