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
3793 public letters
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
Photo letter
写给未来的我
未来的我过的还不错吧？个子长高了不？祝未来的我永远幸福！五个月之前的你！
n621
Jan 24, 2015 · Traveled 3 months 7 days
五年前的李紫昊寄来的信。五年没见了，最近还好吗？
我保证你肯定忘记了这事。现在看到是不是很感动？很惊讶？还是你已经累的筋疲力尽？都不想看这封信了？现在我有太多话想说了，又不知道从什么地方说起。我都担心五年后你还在用QQ这个软件么？因为我发的是QQ邮箱。现在的你肯定要嘲笑现在的我幼稚的思想和言语。没关系，逼近我现在也嘲笑2010年的自己。还有这封信肯
凡华主持人工作室_紫昊
Jan 27, 2015 · Traveled 4 years 11 months
写给5年后的李紫昊
我保证你肯定忘记了这事。现在看到是不是很感动？很惊讶？还是你已经累的筋疲力尽？都不想看这封信了？现在我有太多话想说了，又不知道从什么地方说起。我都担心五年后你还在用QQ这个软件么？因为我发的是QQ邮箱。现在的你肯定要嘲笑现在的我幼稚的思想和言语。没关系，逼近我现在也嘲笑2010年的自己。还有这封信肯
凡华主持人工作室_紫昊
Jan 27, 2015 · Traveled 5 years
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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