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
Photo letter
写给未来的…
亲爱的呀： 突然想给你写封信，在来为的你还好么？有没有想念现在的我呀。我现在是非常想念未来的你的呀。非常的憧憬。未来的你一定变漂亮的了吧？肯定变漂亮了！我是谁呀~我可是小太阳呀~ 你现在对未来还迷茫么？我现在倒是对未来挺迷茫的。不知道过了一年的你是不是还是迷茫着。 你一定还是非常乐观的吧？你一定还是
我想去个好听的名字
Jan 8, 2015 · Traveled 1 year
写给未来的自己
你好: 现在的我走到了人生的十字路口，打算去干些自己喜欢的事情，就在2015年惊蛰，不管现在的你站在那，请不要放弃自己。今天给自己放个假，寻找一份只属于自己的宁静。现在的我很相信你。相信自己。请
n603
Jan 9, 2015 · Traveled 5 days
写给未来的…
展信愉快 近来可好？上班5年了，到达自己计划好的驿站了么？亦或是换了份工作，又开始了新的人生呢？ 早上啊，我还在为前天的事情擦屁股，因为前天去客户企业取企所税的数据，由于偷懒急回家，数据没取完（此客户是手工帐，只能现场取数，坑死个人喽），今天正愁着凑数字，主要是营业税金及附加和应交税金，这个勾稽关系
Shawyeongchan
Jan 10, 2015 · Traveled 5 years
Photo letter
写给20岁的自己
你不知道这是我这晚上第三次写这个东西给你了，这无语的网速，哎，快乐日子不说别的 无论如何，20岁生日快乐，哥们。过得囊个样这5个月，不戴眼镜还习惯不，感觉一定很好，我现在都很迫不及待了，有没有去烫陈胖一样的卷发，你个脑残粉。健身呢有没坚持，脸瘦下来没，倒三角练出来没，感觉你就这能够一直坚持下来吧。不
Alarm
Jan 12, 2015 · Traveled 4 months 23 days
写给未来的夏给木
考试考完啦！我不能过去跟你庆祝真是遗憾，成绩不重要！重要的是心态。 加油努力考上深外就解脱啦！加油，熬过这几天！远在时光这边的夏给木给你寄过来一封信！诚挚的问候！此致 敬礼！ 2015年1月15日 寄往 2015年1月28日 By 夏给木
夏子墨
Jan 15, 2015 · Traveled 13 days
Photo letter
写给未来的我
我总是在怀念着过去期待着未来，却不懂要珍惜现在周一化学要考试，本来打算周末好好复习的，可浑不自觉的，又浪费了一天时间即将迎来中考的我，却仍收不起那颗浮躁的心每天只会机械式的重复玩乐，荒废青春这并不是我想要的我要努力了从今日开始向着未来努力
6啊6啊
Jan 17, 2015 · Traveled 4 months 15 days
写给未来的…
呵呵，不知道我在不在，希望事业有所起色，心想事成，家庭安康，姐姐们能每天开心。
873673832
Jan 19, 2015 · Traveled 11 months 13 days
以前、以后、之后、永远
也许自己看到这封信的时候，会感觉不一样的体验，希望看到信封前，我事业有所起色，心想事成，家庭安康，姐姐们能开心过着每天，家里幸幸福福~
NIKO
Jan 19, 2015 · Traveled 11 months 13 days
十七岁的陈咏淇我想对你说
喂，你在做什么呢，吃着生日蛋糕吗。你知不知道十六岁快要期末考试的你正在挤时间给你写信啊，这可是真爱。不过真爱是来找你谈梦想的。十六岁的你，看了何以笙箫默，立志想当摄影师了。大概是被电视剧里那种报社的生活方式洗脑了，觉得很平和安宁，很好。也许我很久之前，就是想当一个编辑的吧。却脑子抽风选了理科。不过还
___陳不沉不是陳很沉
Jan 19, 2015 · Traveled 5 months 6 days
纪闲啊 你能看到吗
祝未来的我生日快乐啊。估计也很少有人记得的你的生日了吧～那就这样吧 一个人勇敢走下去，追求你所爱的人所爱的事去吧。
纪闲
Jan 23, 2015 · Traveled 1 month 26 days
一年后纪闲 你还好吗？
一年后的我啊，你应该忘记了一年前的你曾经哭着写给你一封信了吧。现在怎么样了呢？一切都尘埃落定了吧，出国确定了吗、还和她在一起吗、现在在哪里呢？还是说工作了吗？ 不管怎样 你都是你 和所有人不一样的你 去追求你爱的东西吧 记得曾经的感动吗 学风景画学英语时候的感动。那就继续学下去吧 不要在乎别人的目光
纪闲
Jan 23, 2015 · Traveled 1 year
Photo letter
写给自己的测试信
你好，我是过去的你，我在23号写了一封信给你，先测试一下吧！
红色枫叶
Jan 23, 2015 · Traveled 1 day
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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