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秦俊儒
一年了，还在努力吗，别辜负父母，加油(ง •̀_•́)ง
n5821
2020.11.28
自己
不出意外的话，你已经跟她结婚了并且有了孩子，记得拿给她看
n5461
2020.11.28
写给7月6日的悟空
我不知道为什么我没有收到以前的我的时光信，我想测试测试。
不如悟空
2020.04.09
寄未来
四级/数学/计算机二级/教资考上了没？没考上锤爆张睿康。
锦衣缇骑在镇江
2019.11.09
写给未来的信
末来的我，你好，我问一下你过的好吗，学车了吗，有老婆的没
CF小洛
2019.08.19
小目标
你说你要攒够10万元，攒够了没有，中间发生了什么事情呢？
spanman
2019.06.18
写给100天后的Juliet
希望你看到这封信时，已经有了本命年的第二个好消息。加油！
n4039
2019.02.16
写给100天的Echo
100天后完成三本经典英文小说的阅读。成功拿到实体书哦！
n3918
2018.12.22
一年后的自己
一年后的自己，你好呀。我想说的都在图里，希望你能去看看。
乾支Joey
2018.11.28
100天后，我依然在这里
终于收到邮件了，恭喜第一次将一件事情坚持了100天的你！
n3363
2018.08.14
写给未来的MQ
很不错嘛，第一次完整阅读英文小说，继续努力做更好的自己！
n2928
2018.04.25
过得还好么？
来自过去的问候，最近过得还好么？颈椎病有没有好一点，，，
zt
2018.04.03
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