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…
rnm，没当老师neng死你！！！
n6980
2021.04.20
写给未来的我
你认真学习了么你的承诺呢实现了么？
_Loubv_
2013.04.20
自己
现在你会后悔自己以前没有努力吗？
用户6708958428
2020.11.29
写给十年后的自己
赵卓一写给10年后自己的一封信。
赵卓一
2020.02.17
Halo
未来的你在清华别颓废！他们在笑！
_北迹
2015.07.08
Halo
未来的你在清华别颓废！他们在笑！
_北迹
2015.07.08
写给10年后的自己02
写给10年后的自己-庄昊霖02
庄昊霖
2020.02.17
会怎么样呢
亲爱的 十年以后见
止声
2014.11.02
写给未来的…
为爸妈做的事太少了。对不起。。
我是蔡静洁我为自己代言
2013.03.24
生日快乐，我自己
生日快乐有没有觉得好帅，哈哈
揪人心
2020.11.28
123
还有补充值得你好好流念的回忆
n4894
2020.04.07
十年后的我
现在过得怎么样，生活满意么？
那是你么
2018.02.26
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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