Writing a letter to our future selves is a simple yet profound practice that has the power to transform our lives.
 This act of self-expression serves as a conduit to our innermost thoughts, allowing us to capture our hopes, fears, and desires in a tangible form. By embarking on this journey of self-reflection, we open ourselves up to the possibility of profound personal growth and positive change. In this article, we delve into the remarkable impact of writing a letter to your future self and explore how this practice can shape the trajectory of your life.
Writing a letter to your future self can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s a chance to reflect on where you are now, envision where you want to be in the future, and share words of encouragement with your future self. When done thoughtfully, writing a letter to your future self can provide perspective, motivation, and comfort years down the road.
Follow these tips to craft a meaningful letter to your future self
Choose a Future Date
The first step is deciding when you want your future self to read this letter Consider upcoming milestones like
- A major birthday (18, 21, 30, 40, etc.)
- A big transition (high school or college graduation, a move, changing careers)
- A future anniversary (1 year, 5 years, 10 years)
Or, pick an arbitrary date that feels right to you. The date should be far enough in the future that your circumstances will likely change, but not so distant that the letter loses relevance. Common choices are 5 10 15, or 20 years into the future.
Reflect on the Present
Before diving into hopes for the future, take some time to reflect on where you are now. Here are some prompts to get you started:
- What are 5 things that describe your life right now?
- What are you most proud of at this stage of life?
- What are your top goals and priorities today?
- What feelings or emotions are dominating your inner world nowadays?
- What are some of your habits, hobbies, or daily routines?
Paint a vivid picture of your current self to share with your future self. The more details you include, the more your future self can relate to and appreciate this time capsule.
Envision the Future
Now comes the fun part – imagining where you want to be in 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. Stretch your imagination and get creative as you describe your ideal future self.
- What does your best possible life look like? Describe your job, relationships, home, lifestyle.
- What goals and dreams do you hope to accomplish?
- What new hobbies or experiences do you want to take on?
- What personal growth do you want to achieve?
While you can’t predict exactly what’s to come, outlining your aspirations can be incredibly empowering.
Offer Advice and Encouragement
If things don’t go exactly as imagined, don’t worry – your future self will appreciate words of wisdom and encouragement from your current perspective. Offer the kind of advice you’d give your best friend, sibling, or younger self.
You might write about:
- Handling stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions
- Getting through periods of change or uncertainty
- Pursuing new challenges or opportunities
- Overcoming regret and learning from past mistakes
- Maintaining balance, gratitude, and perspective
Remind your future self of the inner strength and resilience you possess. Share the life lessons you’ve learned so far. The perspective you have now could profoundly help your future self during trying times.
Ask Questions
Make your letter to the future a two-way conversation by asking your future self some questions. Here are some ideas:
- What was the most unexpected development since we last wrote?
- Did any of our past priorities or goals change over time?
- What advice do you have for your past self?
- What were the biggest challenges you faced? How did you overcome them?
- How has our definition of success evolved?
- What are you most proud of achieving?
Leave some blank space so your future self can write back to you!
Express Gratitude
While envisioning future accomplishments is motivating, it’s equally important to appreciate yourself and your circumstances in the present moment. Use your letter to practice gratitude by highlighting what you appreciate about your current life.
You might express gratitude for things like:
- Your family, friends, pets, community
- Opportunities you’ve been given
- Abilities, skills, and talents you possess
- Your health, home, education, freedoms, possessions
- Simple joys and pleasures in your day-to-day life
This focus on gratitude serves two purposes: it helps you avoid taking your current life for granted, and it will remind your future self to maintain perspective during any challenges that arise.
Close with Love
End your letter on an uplifting note by signing off with words of care and affirmation for yourself.
Some closing ideas:
- I believe in you! Love always, [Your Name]
- You’ve got this! With love, [Your Name]
- Stay strong. You are capable of anything. Love, [Your Name]
- No matter what happens, keep going. I’m proud of you! Love, [Your Name]
The unconditional love and encouragement you offer yourself today will be a treasured gift to your future self.
Make It Official
Now comes the fun part – preparing your letter for its journey into the future:
- Print your letter, date it, and sign it by hand for a personal touch
- Decorate the letter with stickers, drawings, magazine cutouts – anything that represents you
- Include current photos of yourself, family, friends, pets
- Put the letter in a sealed envelope and address it to yourself
Once your letter is ready to go, find a safe place to store it until its intended future date. Popular options include:
- A lockbox, safe, or filing cabinet
- With trusted family members
- In your childhood home, bedroom, or closet
- A safety deposit box at your bank
You could even mail your letter to arrive years in the future – just be sure your address is still accurate!
Another option is to email the letter to your future self through sites like FutureMe.org which will deliver it on your chosen date.
However you decide to share words of wisdom, love, and motivation with your future self, the process of reflection will benefit you just as much today. Enjoy envisioning the bright future ahead and appreciating all you have in the present moment.
Goal Setting and Intentions
One of the remarkable benefits of writing a letter to your future self is the ability to set clear goals and intentions. As you pen your thoughts, dreams, and aspirations, you articulate your vision for the future. This goal-setting process helps you identify what truly matters to you and creates a roadmap for achieving your desired outcomes. The act of writing down your goals significantly increases your commitment to them, making you more likely to take the necessary steps to turn them into reality.
Use the âGROWâ Template for Writing To Your Future Self
G – Gratitude and Reflection
R – Realizations and Lessons Learned
O – Outlook and Aspirations
W – Wishes and Dreams
Now lets break down each step of the acronym:
G – Gratitude and Reflection:
Express gratitude for the experiences, people, and opportunities that have shaped your life. Reflect on the positive aspects and milestones you have achieved. Acknowledge the blessings and lessons you have received along the way.
R – Realizations and Lessons Learned:
Share the realizations you have had about yourself, others, and the world around you. Reflect on the lessons you have learned from various experiences and challenges. Discuss how these insights have impacted your growth and understanding.
O – Outlook and Aspirations:
Describe your current outlook on life and the future. Share your aspirations and goals for personal and professional development. Discuss the vision you have for yourself and the steps you plan to take to achieve it.
W – Wishes and Dreams:
Articulate your wishes and dreams for the future. Share the things you hope to experience, the places you want to visit, or the achievements you aspire to. Express your deepest desires and the possibilities you envision for yourself.
By following the “GROW” acronym, you can structure your letter to your future self, covering gratitude and reflection, realizations and lessons learned, outlook and aspirations, as well as wishes and dreams. This framework allows you to reflect on your journey, express your aspirations, and inspire your future self.
Decide when and how often you will open the letter to your future self. Give yourself enough time to grow and experience life before revisiting it. Some choose to open it on a specific date or milestone, while others prefer to keep it sealed for several years.
As you read your letter, reflect on the goals and intentions you set. Assess your progress, achievements, and the lessons you have learned along the way. Celebrate your successes and use any setbacks as opportunities for growth and course correction.
Based on your newfound insights, make adjustments and realign your path as needed. Goals may change, and priorities may shift over time. Use the letter as a guide to navigate your journey and stay connected to your authentic self.
Writing a letter to your future self is a powerful practice that invites self-reflection, goal-setting, and personal growth. It allows you to capture the essence of who you are today and provides a glimpse into the person you aspire to become. Embrace this transformative journey of self-discovery, and let the act of writing guide you toward a future filled with purpose, fulfillment, and growth. So take some time to sit down and put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, and send a message to the person you hope to become.
Writing a letter to our future selves is a simple yet profound practice that has the power to transform our lives.
 This act of self-expression serves as a conduit to our innermost thoughts, allowing us to capture our hopes, fears, and desires in a tangible form. By embarking on this journey of self-reflection, we open ourselves up to the possibility of profound personal growth and positive change. In this article, we delve into the remarkable impact of writing a letter to your future self and explore how this practice can shape the trajectory of your life.
how to write a letter to your future self, explained in 3 minutes // eastaura
What is the point of writing a letter to your future self?
A letter to yourself, that you write now and read at some point in the future, is essentially a time capsule; a fascinating written snapshot of your life, your true self and your emotions right there and then. But what is the point of writing (and reading) a letter to your future self? What is there to gain? And how do you go about writing it?
How long can you write a letter to your future self?
I then came up with the idea of writing a letter to your future self, where you write a personal note to your future self, seal it, and then open it at a future date. There are no restrictions on how far you should project into the future — you can write to your future self 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or even 10 years from now!
What is an example of a future self letter?
Getting the job of your dreams only to quit it a day later because you realize other things matter more may be an example of a “future self letter moment.” You can write a future self letter anytime, whenever you need to capture some important information or leave a bit of wisdom for yourself in the near future.
How do you write a future letter?
Dedicate a section of your letter to your hopes and predictions about the future. While you imagine your ideal future, your future self can gauge whether your predictions were accurate and whether your aspirations are still relevant. Imagine what your life would look like at your selected age. Do you have a career? Friendships? A relationship?
