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生日快乐
这是九月二日我写给未来自己的一封信又是自己的生日今年是否还会有朋友为我过生日？或许注定要面对孤独面对朋友各奔东西面对生日上人们或虚伪或真诚的脸再也没有了当初的欢乐和无所顾忌开始考虑的越来越多一切都是为了未来如果到今天你依然没有找到一个可以陪伴自己一生的伴侣你是否觉得可耻？还是回头想想现在的我有些幼稚
唯本
Sep 2, 2015 · Traveled 3 months 24 days
写给未来的自己
你还好吗？亲爱的自己。我现在回宜川了，新疆的工作辞了，找工作，心情木乱，也不知道一年后的你是否在理想的位置。不管怎样还请你多多爱自己，爱身边的人。努力工作。
借走你所有
Sep 2, 2015 · Traveled 1 year
A Letter from Peter S in 3nd, Sep, 2015
Dear Future Peter, How do U do? I am the Peter on year ago, a confused, happy ,content and sentimental Senior 3 student who is about to be an leagelly
n1089
Sep 3, 2015 · Traveled 1 year
Photo letter
写给未来的浅浅
你来到一中了，现在的你，应该刚去完湖南的莽山吧？好玩吗？以前有好多好多事你都没有去做，趁年轻，赶紧去做。别再想他了，会有比他更好的人的！比如……陈中汇？现在的你，和蒋曦怎么样了？和小学同学呢？你去参加摄影和文学社了吗？笔友呢？祝好！
浅浅公主
Sep 11, 2015 · Traveled 1 month
letter to the future me
你好哇，16年的我。首先祝你生日快乐！虽然现在生日越来越淡出自己的生活，甚至成为一个暗淡的词汇。研究生的生活实在是过于忙碌，希望现在的你已经适应了。如果你现在还在那边执着于非专业的事情，要么早点放手数学，要么早点放弃那些。最近的想法，更倾向于将读研看成一场修行。在这场修行中，静下心来去学习基础知识和
dreamhaunter
Sep 12, 2015 · Traveled 9 months 15 days
给十年后的自己
十年后的自己，你好啊。你现在在做什么。你也三十了吧。还记得十年前的这天吗还记得你爱的何佳玮吗。你说过非她不娶你做到了吗？她是不是已经消失了还是已经结婚了。现在你待的宿舍你还能回去吗？是不是样子变了好多。这十年你努力了吗？你后悔了吗？你还有钱去买个电脑看这封信吗？十年了。物是人非了吧？ 谁还在你身边。
老王子
Sep 12, 2015 · Traveled 10 years
哈喽，徐勇士
徐勇士，你好。这是一个十分无聊的午后，我终于开始提笔写这封信给你。还在犹豫是给五年后的你，还是三十岁的你。因为现在的日子平淡无奇，所以觉得五年后可能也不会有多大改变，但是三十岁就不一样啦，即便依旧孤身一人，你也应该正承受着特别特别大的压力，那看到22岁青春洋溢的我写来的信，会不会又多了几分勇气？徐勇
66
Sep 12, 2015 · Traveled 8 years
呦呦哟~未来的我w
你好，这里是熙的说w虽然重名的人真心很多，但还是希望你不要换圈名，嘛，前提是你还在混二次元....不管怎么样...即使不被现实中的人所理解...即使在现实中交不到朋友....也要给我坚持下去啊不管以后如何...至少...现在的我!只有在这里是快乐的！！只有在这里才会开怀的笑！就是仅仅是在电脑屏幕前傻
熙
Sep 13, 2015 · Traveled 3 years 11 months
5年后的我
这5年你做的所有事后悔么？ 你认识到了什么 ？你成功了么？
n1104
Sep 17, 2015 · Traveled 5 years
Photo letter
你好 另一个我
你好 19岁了呢 有男朋友了吧 跟廖紫梦 柳K 李SQ 徐帆他们还有联系吗跟尿尿见面了吗 上大学了吧 爸妈说的出国做到了吗现在14 总是会沉浸在过去的82呢 你还记得那些事吗 那是最难忘的一学年现在的你要大步向前走 不能太依赖别人噢 不能想太多 你已经成熟了很多吧一定要看到
14
Sep 18, 2015 · Traveled 5 years
写给未来的…
保送到了实验高中吗？？？！！不是也没关系 高中三年要好好的 我永远在
14
Sep 18, 2015 · Traveled 1 year
Photo letter
写给未来的自己
小铭 当你看到现在这封信千万别惊讶，因为我知道你很容易忘记一些事，记性真的很差，现在希望你知道的是，给你这封信不是什么心灵鸡汤，也不是什么鼓励你的话，就想问你是否遵循自己的内心选择自己喜欢的图书行业？是否保持自己的赤子之心？是否学会了用平和的心态来看待最不喜欢的交际应酬？是否还在跟小胖妞儿保持着暧昧
小铭
Sep 19, 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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