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写给未来的...
三年后 希望自己经济独立 父母身体健康 有一个很好的精神伴侣
3227924741
2024.01.27
生日券
生日快乐宝贝快去找我请你吃饭，哈哈哈给未来的自己挖坑，嘻嘻嘻
n8169
2022.10.20
写给未来的xyh
高考前自己：高考不论考的怎么样，乐观的面对现实，先去放松吧！
n7163
2021.06.06
一年
嘿嘿，你六级过了嘛，python学会了嘛，新的语言学会了嘛？
zhouzhoy
2021.03.10
来自一星期前的你
来自一星期前的你给你写的行，时间过得很快，请珍惜每一分每一秒
n6822
2021.03.09
写给未来的自己
起床就能看见这封邮件了吧，昨天晚上没熬夜吧，啊哈哈哈哈哈哈哈
n6645
2021.02.16
写给2020年的杨明哲
你好，2020年的杨明哲，陪在你身边的还是我嘛？我好喜欢你呀
n4643
2019.12.28
寄未来
自己的梦想怎么样了呢，是不是快要实现了？不行的话加油哦！！！
锦衣缇骑在镇江
2019.11.09
2019424214杜洁经管
十年后如果你还活着，一定不要随波逐流，做好自己，因为你就是你
BAEKB
2019.10.23
自己
想看看你能死撑到什么想知道你苦苦追求的是什么想想她会是在哪里
疯先生
2019.04.17
两年的自己
你是不是还没有追到她，很怂？确实是，没追到她人生遗憾，哈哈哈
两年
2019.03.30
给自己
娶她了吗？很累吧。现在的自己怎么样了。一样碌碌无为吗。可悲！
HLD
2019.02.15
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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