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写给一年后的你
今天是2020的11月27号，希望你一年后过得顺风顺水
n5422
2020.11.27
写给未来的…
有个事情忘记了，记得在心里对以前的我做一个十年汇报总结
用户6811845651
2020.06.26
给未来的林胤宇
我是高二时候的你，希望未来的你不迷失，能坚定，有勇气。
n4968
2020.05.14
写给未来的…
你还爱着小珊吗我希望你还爱着明天就是她的生日了对她好点
n4664
2020.01.05
寄未来
大学毕业了吧？？工作顺心嘛，加油！实现自己的梦想！！！
锦衣缇骑在镇江
2019.11.09
斐然
还是来提醒你好好活着好好提升自己的来人间一趟不要浪费了
n3616
2019.05.17
两年的自己
两年后的你，追到她了吗？没追到她你会后悔一辈子，一辈子
两年
2019.03.30
自己加油
自己要加油哦(´-ω-`)，变成更好的自己ヾ ^_^♪
n3814
2018.12.21
写给未来的…
大学，健身 配音社 手工 少打游戏 多学习不要当死肥宅
n3548
2018.10.21
写给100天后的自己
100天后能够听懂VOA news，能够流畅阅读文章。
n3537
2018.10.21
一百天的我
你病历还拖拉吗？文章可修改好了？100天学了多少英文？
n3139
2018.04.26
写给100天后的自己
希望我可以初步阅读nature，science的论文。
用户5850620831
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
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