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
三年后的我
车买了吗女朋友呢
嘻嘻哈哈
2021.12.03
写给未来的…
你们还在一起吗？
zzzzzzz
2020.12.10
给未来的自己
愿你今后一帆风顺
n2581
2018.01.21
未来的自己
瑞瑞还在我身边吗
n824
2015.06.08
罗
你好，未来的罗
n6636
2021.02.16
给十年后自己的一封信
响应号召，练笔
Helen
2020.02.16
致十年后的我2
致十年后的我2
杨淇凯
2020.02.16
致十年后的我1
致十年后的我1
杨淇凯
2020.02.16
寄给未来的卓娅
寄给未来的自己
n4037
2019.02.17
寄给未来的自己
寄给未来的自己
n4037
2019.02.17
写给未来的…
看到信为时不晚
dy2015678
2018.06.10
2020年连着那封信的图片
2017的自己
懒惰的乌克丽丽
2017.07.10
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