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…
你做到了吗?万战盘古，万战蒙恬，还是嘴上说说吗？
n6043
2020.11.29
你
你有早睡吗又丑又猝死有学习吗应该还在外面玩耍吧？
n3616
2019.06.17
哇，看来你坚持下来了
竟然抗过了双十一，100天，你完成了，每天学英语
n3368
2018.08.14
写给未来的…
中考没考好不代表你的人生失败我要重来为自己的人生
梅利莎陈文宇
2018.04.30
写给100天后的莹
我希望你能成为一个努力的人，坚持好的事情好的习惯
双木林
2018.04.26
TO:AMY
希望100天后的我可以在家长会上与老师交谈自如。
n2941
2018.04.25
你现在什么样，大帅比
啊哈哈你现在什么样子
n2592
2018.01.25
自己
中考没考好不代表你的人生失败我要重来为自己的人生
n2149
2017.06.27
嗨，四年后的你
北京师范大学心理学学术型硕士的录取通知书到了吗？
冬日的阳光
2016.05.26
这半年还适应吗？收获多吗？
新工作新环境适应吗？只要有收获，再辛苦也要坚持！
n1492
2016.05.19
一封来自2015年十二月十六日的信
这是一封来自从前的信哦~滕月，今天是你的阳历生日
虔陈罔事
2015.12.16
你还好吗？
你还好吗？最初的想法还在吗？不要迷茫·我在看着你
Phoenix_FZ
2013.04.19
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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