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

3795 public letters
Arrived 简体中文

自己

中考没考好不代表你的人生失败我要重来为自己的人生

n2149

Jun 27, 2017 · Traveled 3 days

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for future xinky part.131

第131天,把昨天和前天搞混了,所以昨天没了邮件,也没想再发了【昨天干嘛来着??】反正今天的事就很气,发这个出现了undefined???exm??6.27 22:04

过去的星奇

Jun 27, 2017 · Traveled 3 months 29 days

Photo letter
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你现在怎么样了?

现在的你,估计毕业了吧?还在喜欢二次元吗?还依然萌着白鹊吗?王者荣耀那时候还在不在?真心觉得那个时候你已经换QQ了,但我却乐此不彼地给你写信。 来介绍一下吧。我叫黄语瞳,是以前的你,三年前的你,赌八毛你忘记了。 你现在有没有在抽烟喝酒,谈男朋友?如果有,请不要在这样下去了。 你还记得从前你的梦想是什

黄语瞳

Jun 28, 2017 · Traveled 3 years 11 months

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阿雄

你2w5的车有没有你有钱吗你女朋友有没有你大学考上了吗你有好好努力吗别忘了最初的梦想妈妈生意成功了吗

好昵称不重要

Jun 28, 2017 · Traveled 1 year

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写给未来的自己

三个月以后的我,你好。在十一之前,希望自己可以如愿瘦到160斤。已经六年没这样轻过了。

n2153

Jun 29, 2017 · Traveled 3 months

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写给未来的自己

未来的自己,三个月过去了。你们还是朋友吗?你们的关系有更进一步吗?如果得不到回应,希望你放下吧。

n2153

Jun 29, 2017 · Traveled 3 months

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无论你飞黄腾达开始贫困潦倒你都要看一看三年前的你自己

此时的你阅读的事是三年前你在在石家庄跑市场,和旭哥在一起,他去了厕所你找不到他了,你突然看到空间和的一条动态活动写的,那个时候的你充满梦想,敢于拼搏,放弃了走向平凡人的安逸生活,和旭哥在外奔波,石家庄的天比淄博还热,你一天喝了两升的水杯两杯,你为了未来美好的生活奔波,未来是什么你也不知道。到你看到这

n2156

Jun 30, 2017 · Traveled 3 years

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给三年后的邓良涛

邓良涛你是否和薛莉彬已经在一起了,还是依旧保持那种若即若离的朋友关系还是连朋友的没有做成呢?该戒的东西你戒了没,现在的样子是否更糟糕,有没有考到全班第一?有没有希望上本科呢?

XLB

Jul 1, 2017 · Traveled 1 year 6 months

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8月24

生日快乐,我知道没人会庆祝你的生日,可你自己要对自己好一点。

XLB

Jul 1, 2017 · Traveled 1 month 23 days

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写给未来的自己

你好 十八岁的自己 或许当你收到或看到这封信时 你已经不记得有这么一回事了希望你没有忘记初心 希望你已练就了一口流利的西班牙语 和往日的那些初中同学朋友还有着联系 身体健健康康 已经可以在外面做做兼职之类的 不知道你有没有谈过恋爱了呢 和谁 没有也不必着急 要强的你也一定会努力充实自我 让一切蒸蒸日

eeending

Jul 3, 2017 · Traveled 2 years 3 months

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写给未来自己

那个 今天是 新的一天 也是你人生的新起点 第一次真心喜欢一个人 @@@@@@@ 第一次认识生活与享受 努力让自己变得更优秀 更有自信 才能让自己和身边的人拥有更多的选择 让自己对得起自己 第一次长大 第一次真正认识到这个世界 是多么残酷 又是多么美好 这世界有那么多值得你去努力的事和人 为什么要让

n2169

Jul 3, 2017 · Traveled 1 year

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20岁的我

20岁的我:你还好吗?我想对你说的,只有这么几句话,不要惹父母生气,待人接物方面不要变成自己讨厌的人

Ulrica

Jul 3, 2017 · Traveled 1 year 10 months

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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