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.

Ideas to get you started

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

4454 public letters

Arrived 简体中文

给10月份的自己

在上海的大半年，一直在纠结。纠结错误的感情，纠结怎么开始新的感情，不知一个月后的你如何。我知道你这几年来的痛苦和难过，有时候，是该放弃不属于你的了。勇敢点，决绝点，换个方式，一切都好。工作，专注。学习，坚持。生活，积极。Better Yourself.

n389

Oct 9, 2014 · Traveled 22 days

Arrived 简体中文

写给工作一年后的我

大学一年多了，每天该上课跟着上课，课下空余时间做着自己现在觉得对得起自己对得起父母的事。大一正经课一次不拉，最后结果成绩平庸的不能再平庸，我想原因很多，有性格问题有方法问题，该松的时候紧，真该出力的时候又松下来，平时认真看书，考试又告诉自己成绩无所谓，他妈的真不知道自己是咋想的。潜意识里告诉自己成绩

858876586

Oct 11, 2014 · Traveled 3 years

Arrived 简体中文

名尚编辑部十年前的你

张敏：十年后的我生活还是这么窘迫吗？铃铛儿（薄）：未来的路是甜是苦无法预料，但我希望十年后的自己脸上仍然有现在这般幸福的笑容。小刘刘：十年后的你一定是一个优雅的女人，要好好的经营自己的生活，微笑每一天。爱到深处才有他（范）：2024年10月1日，你要开车自驾游，地点：内蒙古大草原。小鱼儿（高瑜）

傻傻鱼