How to Write a Letter to Your Future Self: Tips and Templates
Letters from the past help evaluate personal growth, remind you of your dreams and goals, and guide your future. In this article, we delve into how to write a letter into the future, how to send it correctly, and when it's best to read it.
Reflecting on your long-term goals can reveal how your priorities change over time. Reading about past challenges can help you assess their impact and understand what they influenced. Reliving past events allows you to trace your reactions to different situations. No matter what, a letter from the past is a valuable tool for self-reflection and a chance to recall forgotten dreams.
How to Prepare for Writing the Letter
To write a letter to your future self, you need a smartphone or a paper plus pen. However, you might also need extra preparation. If you don't know where to start, use this checklist.
Choose the time and place. Milestones in life, like birthdays, the Holiday Season, or personal crises, are great motivations for writing a letter. Typically, during these times, you feel compelled to reflect and set dreams and goals. It is also important to be in a quiet and peaceful setting to gather your thoughts.
Determine the format. The letter can be handwritten, an email, a video message, or an audio recording—choose whichever format feels most familiar and comfortable for you.
Decide what to include in the letter. You can freely describe your current state and share any thoughts that trouble you. Alternatively, detail the goals you aim to achieve within a specified timeframe.
What Can Be in the Letter
Here's a brief outline to easily compose a letter to the future:
- Greeting — start with a simple "hello" or a more creative salutation to yourself;
- Date — it's important to record the date and time when you're writing this letter;
- Feelings — describe your anxieties and emotions. Explain how you feel physically to recall these sensations in the future;
- Significant events — talk about impactful events, how they changed you, and what conclusions they helped you reach;
- Future goals — clearly outline what you hope to achieve. Consider dividing goals into personal and professional to better understand your ambitions and methods.
- Dreams — jot down your desires, even if they seem unattainable now. When you read this letter later, you might find that many have come true.
- Promises and advice — end on a positive note, offering motivating phrases and promising to live happily while boldly pursuing your dreams and goals.
Template #1
Hi [your name],
Today is [date], and I'm [your age]
I feel [describe your state and emotions].
Lately, I've experienced: [list significant events].
My goals for the future are:
1) [Goal]
2) [Goal]
3) [Goal]
I dream of [describe dreams].
I promise to remember what's important — [your promises].
Remember, you are capable of great things!
Love, [your name]
Template #2
"Hi! It's you from the past! Today is [date]. I want to tell you how I'm feeling right now... [Describe your emotions].
I also want to share my goals... [List your goals].
And finally — my dreams... [Describe your dreams].
Hope to see you in a year!"
What Else Can Help When Writing the Letter
You can use guiding questions below to better understand your feelings and clarify your future goals.
| Questions about Emotions | Questions about Reflections | Questions about Goals |
|---|---|---|
| How do you feel at present? Are you happy right now? Do you have any hobbies? How often do you experience moments of joy or happiness? How often do you feel lonely? Do your friends and family support you? Describe your physical state, do you feel strong and healthy? Are you in love right now? Is there anything about your emotional state you'd like to change? |
What accomplishments in your life do you consider most significant? Which event has had the greatest impact on your life? What is most important to you: family, career, health, or personal interests? What have you achieved in your career? Which relationships have been the most significant for you? When in your life did you feel the most confident and happy? What role do travel and new experiences play in your life? |
What goals and desires would you like to achieve soon? What skills would you like to develop in the coming years? What knowledge do you need for career and personal growth? What are your financial goals for the coming years? What does your career path look like to you? What habits do you want to add to your life, and which do you want to let go? What does success mean to you? What do you dream about? What does your ideal life look like in 5 years? |
How to Send a Letter to the Future
You can write the letter on paper, place it in an envelope with an opening date, and tuck it in a drawer. This somewhat risky method works best for those with good memories who don't move frequently. For those prone to spring cleaning, decluttering, or forgetfulness, more reliable methods are recommended.
Email. Popular email services like Gmail offer delayed delivery features. You can write to yourself and choose the date and time when your letter is sent.
Future-mail. This service allows you to choose any date to receive your letter. You can write a message to your younger self and receive it when you're older—if you retain your email login details. The site also features letters from others, providing inspiration and ideas.
Letter 2 Future allows you to not only send an email to your future self but also receive a physical version years later. This service offers a unique feature where you write a question for your future self and specify when you'd like to answer it. When the time comes, you receive the letter with the question, and you respond. The service then creates a chart showing how regularly you keep your promises.
When Is the Best Time to Read the Letter
There are three popular time frames for sending letters to the future: one, five, and ten years. Let's explore the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
A year later. Reading a letter from just a year ago can help you easily recall your thoughts and feelings at the time of writing. Plus, a year is an optimal duration for achieving short-term goals, making it easier to measure progress. However, changes over a year might not be significant enough to notice, which could dampen motivation.
Five years later. A substantial amount of time to achieve major life changes and ambitious goals. You'll see how your views and principles have evolved and gain clarity on future directions. Just remember, if your letter is too brief, recalling your state and situation details might be challenging. Longer, more detailed letters are better for extended periods.
Ten years later. Such a span allows you to track your personal transformation and identify the life events that most influenced you. Typically, these letters bring smiles and a sense of nostalgia. The downside is the decreased likelihood of reliably receiving the letter over such a long period.
How to Write a Letter from the Future to the Past
You can reverse the concept and write a letter from your future self. This creative and therapeutic practice can help you better understand yourself, your desires, and your goals. Here's how to do it:
- Establish the time frame — decide how many years into the future you'd like to visit—it could be five, ten, or even twenty years.
- Create a context — envision your future self and answer questions like: Where do you live, who are you with, and what are your achievements? Try to detail your future life.
- Share your experiences — describe the significant events that shaped your life, talk about what you've accomplished, and the challenges you've faced.
- Give yourself advice — remind yourself of what you believe is important and what you should continue striving for.
Sources of Inspiration for Writing Letters
A short collection for finding ideas and inspiration:
"Letters to My Younger Self" by Jane Graham
This book compiles letters from 100 well-known individuals from various eras. These inspiring, motivating messages are worth a read for everyone.
"Letters To My Future Self: Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever" by Lea Redmond
An insightful book with helpful prompts to inspire writing a letter to your future self.
Motivational Cards
Postcards and cards with motivational quotes help gather thoughts, dream about the future, and decide on dreams and goals.
Writing letters to the future is a great practice that helps you better understand yourself. Try writing a letter to your future self - you won't regret it!
