How to write a letter to your future self
A letter to your future self is a snapshot of who you are today, sealed and sent forward in time. It takes 15 minutes to write. Reading it years later can be one of the most moving things you'll ever do.
How far ahead should you send it?
One year is the classic choice: long enough to forget the details, short enough to feel connected. Five or ten years turns it into a real time capsule. For a first letter, try one year.
What to include
- ✦A snapshot of today: where you live, what you do all day, what's on your mind.
- ✦The people in your life right now, and what they mean to you.
- ✦What you're worried about. You'll be surprised how many of those worries resolved themselves.
- ✦What you hope for, without judging yourself if it doesn't happen.
- ✦Questions for your future self. They're the best part to read later.
40 prompts to get you started
About today
- What does a normal Tuesday look like for you right now?
- What song have you had on repeat lately?
- What's in your fridge, on your desk, on your phone's home screen?
- What are you reading, watching or obsessed with?
- What did you spend money on this month that you're proud of, or embarrassed by?
- Describe the view from where you're sitting.
- What's a smell that will always remind you of this time?
- What's the best thing that happened this week?
- What are you avoiding right now?
- Who did you last text, and what about?
About the people you love
- Who do you call when something goes wrong?
- Who are you trying to be better for?
- Is there someone you need to forgive, or ask forgiveness from?
- Who made you laugh hardest this year?
- What do you want to remember about your parents as they are now?
- Who do you miss?
- What would you tell your best friend if you knew they'd read it in ten years?
- Who do you hope is still in your life?
- What's a small kindness someone did for you recently?
- Who do you want to meet?
About hopes and fears
- What's one thing you hope you've stopped worrying about?
- What's a habit you hope you've built?
- What do you hope you've had the courage to do?
- Where do you hope you're living?
- What are you most afraid of right now?
- What would make you proud to read this letter?
- What do you hope you haven't changed about yourself?
- What's a dream you're too shy to say out loud?
- What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?
- What does a good life look like to you today?
Questions for future you
- Are you happy? Be honest.
- Did you ever make it to the place you keep talking about?
- Are you still friends with the people you love now?
- Was the thing you were scared of as bad as you thought?
- What do you know now that I need to hear?
- Are you taking care of your body?
- Did you forgive yourself for the thing you keep replaying?
- What's changed that you never saw coming?
- Are you kinder than I am?
- Will you write back to the next version of us?