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An Inspiring Letter to My Future Self
- Categories: Future Plan Personal Experience
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Words: 755 |
Published: Mar 18, 2021
Words: 755 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read
Works Cited
- Al-Khatib, A. (2021). The Power of Patience: Developing the Virtue of Patience in an Impatient World. International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).
- American University in Cairo. (n.d.). About AUC. Retrieved from https://www.aucegypt.edu/about
- Brackman, M. (2019). The Power of Gut Feelings: The Role of Intuition in Decision Making. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-brain-work/201903/the-power-gut-feelings
- Centeno, S. (2020). The Meaning of Suffering: Finding Value in Pain. The University of Chicago Magazine. Retrieved from https://mag.uchicago.edu/law-policy-society/meaning-suffering
- Esade Business School. (n.d.). About Esade. Retrieved from https://www.esade.edu/en/about-esade
- Hill, D. (2014). The Importance of Family in Our Life. Retrieved from https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/the-importance-family-our-life.html
- Ramadan, H. (2021). The Beauty of Faith: Embracing Challenges and Finding Purpose. Medium. Retrieved from https://ramadanrhapsody.medium.com/the-beauty-of-faith-embracing-challenges-and-finding-purpose-3d8ed891d58e
- Ramadan, N. (2016). Patience and Prayer: Seeking God Amidst Life's Challenges. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/patience-and-prayer-seeki_b_10281680
- Reinhartz, C. (2019). How to Trust God When Life Feels Out of Control. The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-trust-god-when-life-feels-out-of-control/
- Sapp, G. (2016). Waiting on God: Learning to Trust in God's Timing. Christianity.com. Retrieved from https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/what-does-the-bible-say-about-waiting-on-god.html
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Why should I write a letter to my future self?
Writing a letter to yourself can be helpful, insightful and completely uplifting.
Writing letters to the future
How to write a letter to yourself: Capture a memory
Not sure how to write a letter to yourself? Read on to find out how you can capture a memory to send to the future.
How to write a letter to yourself: The gratitude list
Gratitude rhymes with attitude, and it is the attitude we apply to our lives that help us celebrate the present and be truly happy.
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Writing a Letter to Your Future Self: Benefits, Guide, and Template
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.
3 Reasons to Write a Letter to Your Future Self: Benefits
1. reflection and self-awareness.
Writing a letter to your future self provides a unique opportunity for reflection and self-awareness. By capturing your current thoughts, emotions, and experiences, you gain insight into who you are at this moment in time. This act of self-reflection allows you to understand your desires, fears, and motivations, enabling you to navigate your life with greater clarity and purpose.
2. 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.
3. Personal Growth and Transformation
Revisiting the letter to your future self allows you to witness your personal growth and transformation over time. Months or even years later, as you open the letter, you gain a fresh perspective on your past self. You can celebrate the progress you've made, acknowledge the challenges you've overcome, and recognize the person you've become. This powerful reminder of your resilience and personal evolution serves as motivation to continue growing and striving toward your dreams.
How to Write a Letter to Your Future Self
Choose a meaningful timeframe.
Select a timeframe for your letter that aligns with your goals. You may opt for a year, five years, or even a decade into the future. Consider both long-term and short-term perspectives to capture different aspects of your life journey.
Find a Quiet and Inspiring Environment
Create a calm and distraction-free space for writing your letter. Find a place that inspires you and allows your thoughts to flow freely. Consider incorporating elements such as soothing music, scented candles, or natural surroundings to enhance your creativity and introspection.
Reflect on Your Current State
Take the time to reflect on your current thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Explore your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. Use this opportunity to gain clarity about what you want to achieve and the person you want to become.
Set Clear Goals and Intentions
Define specific goals and aspirations in your letter. Be clear about what you want to accomplish and the steps you plan to take to achieve them. Write down your intentions with conviction, and visualize the future you desire.
Express Your Emotions and Dreams
Let your emotions flow onto the paper. Be authentic and vulnerable as you share your hopes, fears, and dreams. Use this letter as a safe space to express yourself fully and honestly.
In the TED video below, Meg Jay shares the essential questions to ask your future self thus enabling your present and future to align so you can start achieving your goals.
Use the ‘GROW’ 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 let's 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.
Revisiting Your Letter
Timing and frequency.
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.
Reflection and Assessment
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.
Adjusting and Realigning
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.
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Example Letter to My Future Self (With Structure Suggestions)
This example letter to my future self puts into practice the many tips and best practices that help you get the most of out the exercise.
This example of a letter to your future self is based on what I wrote this year for Future Chris to read a year from now.
I’m sharing it so you can see how I put into practice the extensive tips and suggestions I’ve covered in other posts. To make the structure clear, I’ve broken it up with headings. They aren’t actually part of the letter.
I’ve also changed some details and replaced chunks with “ [blah, blah, blah] ” for brevity and privacy.
Jan 6, 2022
How’s it going? It’s me, your younger, hopefully less wise, less wealthy, and less actualized self here.
- Start off with the present.
Where are you, and what’s going on in your life?
I’m writing you while drinking an americano in Origin Coffee in Cape Town. Kim’s across from me because we just dropped off our rental car from our trip to Plett.
The trip was s-Plett-tacular! Memorable moments were [blah, blah, blah].
Also, the trip was a timely reminder of how awesome it would be to live right on the beach. Let’s make that happen one day.
The driving was also a reminder of how much more of a hassle it is with a baby. Man, I hope Zac’s learned to like his car seat more by the time you read this. But, even if not, I hope it hasn’t slowed you down from going on trips and adventures.
Anyway, I just finished recapping last year and reading the letter I wrote to myself on the Orange River on Dec 30, 2020. You might want to read it, too. I was blown away by how much of what I had written then I had forgotten. For example [blah, blah, blah] .
Goes to show how bad our memories and perceptions of our past selves are. These letters help me remember that.
What has you worried, frustrated, and excited?
Reading the letter and recapping the year was a wake-up call.
I feel I’ve gotten too complacent with the blog. And as fun as it’s been to make videos and write Consider This , their growth fell below predictions. Way below. Also, [blah, blah, blah] .
But the biggest surprise from the letter from my past self?
Many of the things I’d planned to write to you to focus on in 2022, my past self wrote to me to get done in 2021! I’ve been passing the buck rather than building momentum. No bueno.
Let’s change that this coming year.
On the bright side, I think I’ve finally—FINALLY—started to get a grasp of the branding and vision for the blog. My plan now is “go full unconventional” and [blah blah blah] .
Outside of “work,” life’s pretty sweet.
Zac’s just started crawling, mimicking us, and even standing. He makes lots of noise and loves to roughhouse. And he often crawls over to me when I come home to play with me! It’s like having a dog at this point… but way cooler because [blah, blah, blah] .
As fun as raising Zac is, it’s been a blessing to have Irene come look after him a few days a week, and the odd night, so Kim and I can go on date nights. (Remember our attempt at a date night with Zac at Zest? Disaster. Chaos. Haha.)
My relationship with Kim is going as well as could be expected. Aside from a few debates on food and eczema treatment, we’ve been a cohesive team. And I’m encouraged that she’s going to make huge progress professionally in the year to come because [blah, blah, blah] .
Financially, I made [x] last year and my portfolio’s gone from [y] to [z]. Below expectations of [a, b, and c] from last year, but not disastrous. The problem is, expenses picked up from [x] to [y]. This has me worried. I’m struggling to figure out fun, sustainable, and beneficial-to-others ways to monetize. $15k per month, I feel, would be enough for us to do whatever we want comfortably.
Maybe it’s worth considering a completely different business that’s less fun and spiritually rewarding but more financially lucrative? (So basically anything…) Some ideas are [blah, blah, blah] .
What’s going on in the world at large?
Or maybe there’s some way to get involved in all this web3 brouhaha? A creator coin or something? Probably not, though. I feel like it’s a lot of hype pumped up by people who make money from the attention. A lot of hype. All this crypto, NFT, DAO, stuff was one of the top stories in my bubble of the world this year.
Inflation, too, like we predicted.
And, of course, COVID. So many people we know got it in December, but somehow not Kim, Zac, or I. [blah, blah, blah] .
Climate change seems to be moving more and more to the center of the general public’s radar. Hard to avoid with crazy weather like the heatwave in Vancouver in June. Remember that? Camping out at the park by the beach all day to avoid overheating at home, then retreating to Kim’s parents’? Wild.
I predict (hope) that pretty soon a lot of the hype (and $$$) directed towards mostly meaningless NFT-esque crap goes toward greener technology. Maybe not in a year, but soon.
- Look back before looking forward.
Before getting into more predictions, here’s a recap of some of what’s changed between Jan 1 and Dec 31 of this past year:
- Investment portfolio performance: [blah, blah, blah] (Big lesson: Trust your gut more. Every time you delayed or didn’t act, it cost you. Examples are [blah, blah, blah] .)
- Blog traffic, subscribers, stats, income: [blah, blah, blah] .
- Favorite things I’ve learned and mind changes I’ve made: [blah, blah, blah] .
- Most memorable moments: [blah, blah, blah] .
- Other big changes in my life and the life of those around me: [blah, blah, blah].
As you can see, for the first time, I spent a lot of time recapping 2021. It was worth it. You ought to do the same for 2022.
- Brainstorm and ask for help.
One more big mind shift I made in 2021 came from reading books like Designing Your Life , Dedicated , and Four Thousand Weeks . I’ve come to conclude we ought to commit one way or another and move on with it rather than overthink things or keep our options open.
But I’m still unsure about what to commit to.
These are the big questions I’m thinking a lot about:
- Have another kid or not? Before having Zac, [blah, blah, blah] .
- Try new ways to make more money with the blog, or redirect that time to more efficient but perhaps less rewarding and fun money-making endeavors? My thinking now is [blah, blah, blah] .
- Change the name of the blog? I was strongly leaning toward changing it to something “Fresh” related, but recent conversations have me swinging the other way. [blah, blah, blah] .
- Where to live? Cape Town’s awesome, but far from family and old friends in Vancouver. Should we look harder at a beach town in Mexico or Costa Rica? I was thinking [blah, blah, blah] .
- Should I hire a coach? No doubt the right coach at not too ridiculous of a price could be the best investment I could make, but how do you find that? Or I? The curse of being so independently-minded is it’s hard to find someone we’ll listen to. My plan now is to [blah, blah, blah] .
- Should I start something new—new hobby, friends, language, business, podcast—or go deeper on the things I already love doing?
What do you think? Or what new questions have jumped to the forefront for you?
- Make a bunch of predictions.
Anyway, enough with the stress-inducing tough questions. Time for some fun stuff:
Predictions!
Make predictions about your future life.
I bet you’ll be in Cape Town again, reading this. You’ll probably be sitting on a patio overlooking the sea because I learned this year just how much that’s worth to us.
Differences between you and me I predict:
- You’ll have a few more grey hairs, but still not visible. Same amount of head hair. Maybe a bit more facial hair. Almost enough to finally have a beard.
- In the same shape, if not slightly better. More mobile, for sure, cuz you’ll have kept up with your daily mobility and maybe even hired someone in Vancouver.
- You’ll finally be decently good at beach volleyball. The solo practice at Virgin will pay off.
- You’ll have 2-3 new little daily habits that you’ll have incorporated into your life thanks to various experiments and 30-day challenges throughout the year.
- You’ll have some idea about a book you want to write.
- You’ll be spending less time making YouTube videos. Maybe considering a podcast?
Memorable moments:
- Zac will say his first word in March and it’ll be something to do with food, like “baba” to mean bottle.
- Zac will take his first step by the end of Feb.
- Zac will have 8 teeth.
- We’ll have gone on one big road trip to the US over the summer and I’ll have done another escape to nature, leaving Zac and Kim behind.
- We won’t visit any new countries.
- [blah, blah, blah]
Make measurable predictions.
- My net worth will be around [x] .
- The blog will have made [x] and I’ll have dipped my toes into something new but not dove into it yet.
- Traffic, Consider This subscribers, YouTube subscribers will be [x, y, z] .
- Zac will weigh 26 pounds, so slightly above average, but not a ton.
- I will only read 20 new books this year because I’ll re-read and review many from the past.
- [x] will be in a serious relationship. [y] will still be single.
- [x] will be engaged. Maybe even married.
- [x] will be separated or divorced.
Make wild card predictions.
- The Nets will win the NBA title. The Raptors will lose in the first round. MVP will be… it’s a crapshoot… KD?
- The Super Bowl… I really can’t even bother guessing because I gave up the NFL this year!
- The stock market’s going to be down for the year, adjusted for inflation.
- Bitcoin will be roughly the same as today, $45k US.
- More advances in preventing and treating COVID will mean no more masks indoors by June in Vancouver.
- The hype about web3, the metaverse, NFTs, and all that will have died down substantially. Or I’ll have completely escaped from hearing about it, because it doesn’t make much difference to my day-to-day life.
- South Africa, Cape Town especially, is going to be crazy with tourism in December. With more digital nomads, too. Pent-up demand and good PR are going to give it the hype it deserves.
End with the most important message you want to send.
Ok. My hand’s getting tired from all this writing. But it’s been fun to let loose my thoughts upon you.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and got something out of it, like I did reading last year’s letter.
I’ve gotta run to go do a workout with Alex and Darren. It’s a beautiful, scorching hot day. I’m already looking to plunging in the pool after. And then I’m looking forward to returning to work on the blog.
Bigger picture, I’m looking forward to this coming year.
If you still believe like I do that our life’s y-axis is “Growth,” let’s keep making moves (and not thinking too much) that push us upward in that direction.
So here’s to continuing living a life full of adventures and always having more to look forward to.
Yours truly,
To recap, here’s the structure from my example:
- End with your most important message.
For more guidance and ideas on future self letter writing, check these out:
- How to Write a Letter to Your Future Self
- The Benefits and Lessons of Writing a Letter to Your Future Self
- Extensive Tips for Writing a Wonderful Letter to Your Future Self
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How to Write a Letter to Your Future Self (with an Example)
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“ Dear future me , I’d love to remind you not to grow old.” These words were written quite boldly in one of my first future self letters . I didn’t have a letter to future self example to work off at the time, but I instinctively knew I wanted to discuss the things that scared me with my future self.
Perhaps the assumption is that your future self will be wiser and more readily know how to handle your current worries , or maybe it’s important to remind your future self that you didn’t know now what you will know then.
Either way, a future self letter is a vital tool for self-development and personal growth. It can also be a great giggle in a few years’ time when you read your thoughts and fears of today and realize you worried about things that didn’t happen.
With my future self letters, I set goals , tracking my progress at different future dates, revising, and growing. What will your future self letter contain?
Table of Contents
The When, Where, and Why of Writing a Letter to Your Future Self
A letter to your future self is a record of your life right now , creating a document you can reflect on when you have traveled a few years down the line. It also gives you a way to reflect on your life right now and consider how it will appear in the future.
I always loved the line from The Terminator , where one waitress tells the other, “ Look at it this way: in 100 years, who’s going to care ? ” A future self letter is about your current self wondering whether anyone will care about things in a decade, or when you’re 50, 60, or older.
Future self letters are also about capturing special moments or pivotal experiences, so you won’t forget these in the future. 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. The where of a future self letter may depend on the situations you experience and what you desire. You may be struck by inspiration while on your morning commute. Whenever an opportunity arises to write to your future self, you should take hold of it with both hands.
Every person’s “why” of writing depends on what they experience and how they interpret their experiences in life. You may want to write to your future self to be heard , seen , and understood . Or you may write your future self letter to maintain a forward-facing attitude in life. Future self letters can also help you deal with issues and accept that not all worries will come true (in fact, most won’t).
Pros and Cons of a Future Self Letter
There are several pros and cons to writing future self letters. Let’s consider the pros first:
- It allows you to reflect and remember.
- It brings planning into your control.
- It helps to place life in perspective .
- It shares your daily legacy and records your growth .
- It develops forward thinking instead of only focusing on the now (and the now can be totally overwhelming).
When you write future self letters, there are also a few cons to keep in mind :
- You can become fixated on your future self , forgetting to live in the now.
- Procrastination can worsen when you try to write a “perfect” future self letter—and the point is to just write one (no matter what’s in it).
- You may try to make your life “epic,” forgetting that your life is unique and amazing as it is, so don’t dress up your life—just be you.
Writing a Letter to Your Future Self: Step by Step
Ready to write your first future self letter ? It can be quite intimidating to know where to start. You may not even know what to put into the letter, and are you supposed to read the letter again, or do you bury it in a dated envelope like some secret mission instructions?
Here are a few steps to help you get started with writing your future self letters and demystify the process:
1. Decide on Frequency and Reasons for Writing Your Future Self Letters
Before you put pen to paper, decide why you are writing to your future self. Are you hoping to remind yourself of things happening now for when you are living in the future? Perhaps you want to spread gratitude for something special a decade or more from now?
Whatever your reason for writing to your future self, it’s helpful to know why you write as you can then identify topics you want to write about.
Also, decide whether your future self will actually read these letters , and when would you like the future you to read them? Perhaps you want to date each letter to a specific age or date you will reach in the future?
Try this: On a blank page, with no lines, create a spider-diagram where you start with “why” and branch out to reasons why: to remember , to celebrate , to caution , to ask , to feel less alone, and more.
2. Pick a Medium to Write the Letter
Believe it or not, but how you write the letter (either on paper or digitally) will have a significant influence on the writing process.
Digital letters are less personal, but you can add images , voice notes , and videos to make these more interactive. Handwritten letters have personality and show how you were feeling at the time of writing the letter. There’s something deeply personal about writing each letter by hand.
Try this: Why not have the best of both worlds by writing by hand and then scanning these letters to your computer so you can add images , voice notes, and more?
3. Decide on Contents and Your Future Self Age
For the sake of clarity and to avoid letters that ramble on endlessly, choose a few topics to add to a letter. I try not to write about more than two or three topics per letter to keep things as clear as possible. I may also use creative headings to help split where one topic begins and another ends.
While topic headings are typical tactics used by content writers for Google, you can borrow a leaf out of their book to keep your letter clear . A list of some topics you can write about includes:
- Events
- Feelings
- Friends and enemies
- Animals or pets
- The news
- Lessons learned
- Your health
- Spirituality
- Hobbies
- Relaxation
- Favorites
- Decisions you’ve made
- Global issues such as climate change and how you are trying to stop this
- Finances
- Forgiveness
4. Keep It Real and Authentic
Your future self letter shouldn’t be too formal. Try to assume the tone of voice that is normal for a good friend to use. You want your future self to want to read your letter , so keep it interesting and light without seeming to be pretending.
Your future self needs to believe you , so keep it real . You can also write every morning , like a journal to your future self if that works best for you.
Try this: When you have finished your future self letter, try reading it aloud and noting your body’s reactions to the sound of your voice and the words you speak. If your letter sounds like you are speaking to an audience, it’s not written for your future self. This is an honest and open discussion, not an Oscars speech.
5. Use Reflective Questions
The secret to any speech or talk is to establish a connection. Using reflective questions , words and associations, and real tasks are preserved for your future self to continue your introspection.
Try this: Ask questions like:
- Do you remember when …
- How did you …
- Was it always like this …
- Have you forgotten about …
6. Don’t Forget Gratitude and Compassion
When you cultivate the attitude of gratitude , you create powerful forces in your future , namely positivity and creativity. Gratitude is often reduced to a simple word—“Thanks”—when you really need to practice gratitude daily.
Letters of gratitude also help remind you of all you have to be thankful for now and in the future.
Having compassion with your future self is also about having self-compassion, which is something most of us desperately lack. Take the opportunity of your letter to record your understanding of your future self and reflect on why you need to be more kind to yourself.
Try this: Write down what you do each day to show your gratitude for things that happen in your life. Some of us respond better to visual stimuli , so take a day to photograph all the things , moments, exchanges , and people you are grateful for having in your life.
7. Future Self Example
Dear Sara, Hope you are doing well. It’s New Year’s Eve, and as I write this letter, the fireworks and rowdy singing of the neighbors echo across the neighborhood. This year, I chose to spend the holidays alone , not traveling to my family for the first time. I wanted time for reflection and to find more inner peace. I’ve discovered this year that there are too many people in my life who are here simply in a transactional nature , leaching time from me. Do you still find people like that? Have you stuck to the plan I’ve made today to only have people in your (my) life who reciprocate with love and kindness? My spiritual journey this year has been huge, and I wish I could share it with someone. Are you still on the path of enlightenment , or have you given up and returned to easier roads where you know exactly what to do and what lies ahead? Of course, there’s nothing wrong with returning to your previous beliefs, but I do hope you stayed the course and have really discovered your own inner light. How has your health been? Have the yoga sessions I started this year helped? I really didn’t like feeling so tired and lethargic this year, so I hope you followed through and kept up the stretching. It’s not always easy to keep doing physical exercise when you’re tired, but I know you can do it and succeed in completing the yoga classes. I have to talk to you about Ben and our relationship. Lately, Ben has been very clingy and needy, and I feel stifled . While I spoke to him about his behavior, he showed little interest in listening or changing. I feel lost, but I know you get me. Please don’t fall for guys like Ben again. You are so much worthier than what he is like. I know you can find real love where the other person communicates in your love language, and they show you the respect you are so worthy of. On the job front, you know the hell I’ve been through the last few years, and I really appreciate all you’ve done to encourage me . Have you found a better job? I am proud of you, regardless of what you’ve chosen. Have you set a few career goals , and how are you planning to reach them? As always, stay strong, keep your chin up , and eyes bright while fighting your battles each day.
Final Thoughts on How to Write a Letter to Future Self Example
Before you know it, the future is here . While you may color your hair and botox your face, you are still aging , and you are not the same person you were 20 years ago. The future you , who is reading the letters written by you in the past, will appreciate the learning opportunities and moments for reflection that your letters bring. These letters create a bridge between the past and the future.
Writing a letter to your future self also reads much easier when you use clear headings or themes to keep some structure in your letter —otherwise you are writing gibberish which nobody can decipher, least of all your future self.
Sometimes, you need to write a letter of sympathy and empathy to your past self that has suffered greatly to help you feel that you were seen , understood , heard , and “ gotten .” Your own empathy can be the best gift you can give yourself with a future self-letter. When you read this future self letter in 10 or 20 years’ time, you may better understand yourself and the decisions you are making right now.
To find out more about the power of writing letters , why not read my article writing a letter to your disrespectful daughter ? Happy writing!
Finally, if you don’t know the “right” way to journal, then check out this seven-step process for building a journaling habit that sticks .
A Letter to My Future Self
With the knowledge of our present-day selves, we put forth advice for the years to come. Want to add your letter to our collection? Add it in the comments!
We often think of advice as passing on wisdom from elder to youth, teacher to student, parent to child. The veteran guides the novice, the process didactic in nature.
But what if the coin flips, and we, as our present-day selves, offer advice to an older, more worn version of ourselves? Think of it as an exercise in self-love , a means of preserving and protecting what’s important today well into the future.
We asked members of the Wanderlust family to pen letters to their future selves. Here’s what they had to say.
Dear Future Self,
Whatever you’re doing right now, stop. Go outside. Call your parents (if you’re lucky enough that they’re both still here). Take a moment and go have yourself a proper personal day. And don’t—don’t you dare—feel guilty for taking the time for yourself.
This year has been a crazy one. You learned what love really means, the lengths to which friendship can be tested (and lost), and became a yoga teacher . You’ve lived in New York for 14 years, and you’re ready to go to the mountains. Did you? Do you have a garden and goats and a fireplace? You’ve started thinking about having children, though you’re not sure whether or not children or heading out on another epic backpacking trip is the way to go. Know that whatever decision you made, it was the right one. You’re here now, and you’re exactly where you need to be.
A couple things to remember: You learned how to honor and treat your body well this year, and how to honor and treat those around you. Don’t ever settle for the easy way—just don’t settle, period. Life is too short. And remember that this current version of yourself loves you… And that’s not going to change.
Dear Future Self,
Remember your wedding day (of course you do!)? It is exactly ten days from today. Ten days before you marry the love of your life, a man who not only puts up with your quirks (like your neurotic, gluten-free, obsessively healthy diet), but has taught you how to laugh at them and love them, removing insecurity. You had a lot on your plate this year, and despite a few major meltdowns and wedding dress nightmares, you survived. You’re going home to see your family, and 150 of your closest friends; this is pretty much the most fun ever and I hope you look back on this time with love.
Tell your children you love them, a lot, I’m sure they are incredible humans and deserve to hear it. Also, let them eat a cookie once in a while. Hang out with your mom as much as possible, words cannot describe what she has done for you over the years.
You probably work really hard, so this is an order: take a vacation with your husband, this month. Book it today, but don’t think too much about it, wherever you go will be perfect, as everything is right now, and always.
I love you.
Take a breath. Look down at your two feet. Where are they right now? Look around you. Do you see nature? Go touch the leaves. Pick a flower and deeply inhale its beautiful fragrance. Do you hear birds? Stop and take a moment to go listen to their music, because not everyone is so fortunate enough to be able to hear and enjoy that experience. Do you feel the sunshine on your skin? If not, go step outside and be grateful for the fact that it is constantly shining down on you, and that you are alive. Go take a bite of something delicious and savor every moment with absolutely no concern around any kind of weight gain. Not everyone is so privileged to have access to food, so superficial aesthetics should be the least of your worries regardless of the deep societal impositions. How have you been of service to others today?
You spent your whole childhood yearning to be an adult, impatiently waiting for the rite of passage that would grant you the maturity, respect, and validation you so desperately sought. Now that you’re an adult, all you crave is the sweetly uninhibited moments of play and lack of responsibility that childhood granted you. Life isn’t a sprint, it’s a long race and you’re not in it just to “win.” Be gentle with yourself. Be messy sometimes. Let it all go. Embrace all of your learnings and cherish your experiences because they truly are divinely fated.
ENJOY IT. ALL OF IT. You will have enough time to do everything that you love, so stop stressing so much. You miss the beauty when you are stressed. Be here now. Hug those around you. Ask them how they are doing, and truly listen (without plotting your response at the same time). The inexplicable sensation of true connection and understanding is the best feeling in the entire world. Money is just a number. It comes and it goes. Love is the true currency.
No one lives forever so be sure to cherish every moment, and when they pass and when you pass, find comfort in knowing that we are simply souls within these bodies, and we will all be connected at some point again. Life is a gift, not something that is a given, so enjoy every second while you’re here.
Hey, Future Self,
What’s up! Life has been interesting, crazy, fun, boring, unexpected, expected—a lesson in opposition.
Despite all the constant frustration, you’ve managed to wear glitter every damn day, and hey, that’s kinda a victory, right? Your clothes are on point—a ton of of shiny stuff, colors, and general epic yoga outfits fit in your closet.
You’ve got the most epic dog, sweet friends, and an above average family (well, let’s not include your extended family).
You get to spend time outside in one of the most beautiful places on earth and you’re in the best shape of your life thus far, so that’s great.
As you continue to age, you’ll continue to get more awesome. Remember, the goal is to peak at 90 (or later). You’ve got a lot of time.
Despite the frustration, you’re on your way to making all your dreams come true (probably).
Now go on an epic vacation and buy a new outfit with your sweet bank account that you hopefully acquired by now. You’ve earned it.
Keep killing it.
Everything that has happened has lead you to this moment. Don’t change a thing. Everything worked out exactly as it should be. All the puzzle pieces fit, all the paths make sense. All the people were meant to be. All the successes and failures and heartwarming and heartbreaking moments were all worth it. No regrets. You were and are and have been and always will be yourself, and that’s what matters above all.
I’m assuming you’re reading this on some sort of graphene screen strapped around your wrist or glued to your face. Cool! Fancy! High-tech!
Right now your life is one giant crossroads. It’s exciting. It’s frustrating. It’s temporary. I hope you have a few more things figured out by now. But I also hope you still have some questions. Keep asking them.
I’m sure you’ve got a lot going on right now, and that’s good. Just don’t lose track of what’s important, what’s worth making time for. Spend time with people you love. That’s first and foremost, always. Pick up the phone. Make some plans. Get outside, even when the couch is calling. Camp in the woods. Build a fire. Have some wine. Stay up late. Climb a mountain. Go for a sail. Trust that things will work out, or change them if you don’t like the charted course. Eat good food cooked from scratch. See live music. Travel abroad with someone you care about. Immerse yourself in a good book. Do you have kids? Raise them right. Spend time with them. Teach them how to shake someone’s hand properly. Write down your thoughts. Tell your stories. Tell others’ stories. Listen. Set goals, both lofty and reasonable. Move your body. Give back.
And never forget to be grateful. You should be oh, so very grateful.
Keep going.
Hey girl, slow down for a second—I have some things I want to share.
Some stuff is going to happen to you. You won’t be able to plan for it, pencil it in your schedule for when is good for you, or always have someone pick up the phone to guide you through it. You’re going to have to just roll with the flow , take it in, glean lessons from it, and then carry on, head held high. Maybe journal on it—sometimes insights don’t come quick, but there’s something positive to be found from most experiences in life. Focus on that.
You’re going to have a lot of mantras throughout your life that are going to help you. No, just because one strikes you when you’re practicing a hip-opener doesn’t mean you should get a tattoo of it on your forearm. You’d be covered by now. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but mantras—like people—will come and go in your life. And as much as you’d like to you can’t hold on to them all. You best realize this now and just try and enjoy what you have in the present moment. Just because it passes doesn’t mean it wasn’t powerful or important. And you’re not silly for believing in it. Please never stop holding on to hope. It will cause you pain, but it will also help you get through the days, excite you, and make you feel like your heart is a big thing of cotton candy. Are you still eating cotton candy? Good. Go high-five that inner child we sometimes think is so silly. She reminds you of your mother. Go buy yourself one of those Spongebob Squarepants popsicles you get so excited about and give her a call. She misses you too. Your to-do list can wait.
You got this.
What advice would you give your future self?
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How to Write a Letter to Your Future Self
Last Updated: May 9, 2023 Fact Checked
This article was co-authored by Celena Hathaway and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre . Celena Hathaway is an English & Creative Writing Teacher at Cornerstone Schools of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama. She specializes in entry-level creative writing, such as fundamental poetry and fiction short story techniques, and 8th-grade-level grammar and reading. She earned her B.S.E. in Secondary Education and B.A. in English from Samford University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 510,670 times.
No one talks about writer’s block when it comes to writing a letter to yourself, but it can be challenging to clearly convey your message to future you. Whether you’re hoping to achieve specific goals, follow up on bucket list items, or give words of affirmation, your future self will be grateful to receive a letter no matter what. This wikiHow will give you ideas to help structure your letter, possible goals you can set, and language to use to prepare yourself for success. Future you is going to be thriving .
Talking About Who You Are Now
- You may want to choose an age that puts you in different circumstances than you are currently in. If you write the letter as a freshman in high school and read it when you’re in college, you’ll be able to see how much your life has changed and whether or not your goals have been met.
- When talking about your current self in this letter, use “I” language. When talking about your future self in this letter, use “you” language.
- Include information about your church, if you belong to one, or values like accepting everyone’s faith, or lack thereof. Add morals that guide you, such as always being kind, or helping others in need.
Addressing Your Future Self
- Do you enjoy your job?
- What do you do in order to relax?
- Who is the most important person in your life?
- What is your relationship with your parents like? How do they treat you and how do you treat them?
- If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
Sealing and Storing the Letter
- If you keep a journal, consider writing the letter directly in your journal and marking the page, or writing the letter separately and tucking it in between the pages of your journal.
- You might consider using a digital calendar (like Google Calendars), note-taking software (like Evernote), [11] X Research source or a letter-writing website (like FutureMe). [12] X Research source
Sample Letter and Things to Include and Avoid
Expert Q&A
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about writing, check out our in-depth interview with Celena Hathaway .
- ↑ https://www.ed.ac.uk/reflection/reflectors-toolkit/self-awareness/writing-letters
- ↑ https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/diary-journal.html
- ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-letter-to-my-future-sel_b_4522265
- ↑ http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/want-to-improve-your-life-write-yourself-a-letter.html
- ↑ https://medium.com/personal-growth/join-me-and-write-a-letter-to-your-future-self-514fa62c0beb
- ↑ https://blog.evernote.com/blog/2014/07/24/evernote-reminders-writing-letter-future-self/
- ↑ https://www.futureme.org/
About This Article
Writing a letter to your future self can be a great way to look back on how your life has changed and find out if you're achieving the goals you set for yourself. To do this, first choose the age you want to be when you read it, which will help you decide on realistic goals. When you begin your letter, summarize who you currently are by including recent achievements and interests. After you’ve introduced yourself, write down your hopes or goals, like getting into a good college or starting a family. Once you’ve written out your goals, ask some questions to help your future self reflect on their life. For example, you could ask, “Do you like your job?” or “What do you do to relax?”. Throughout your letter, use “I” when you’re writing about yourself now and “you” when referring to your future self so you can easily tell the difference between them. For tips on where to hide your letter, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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Home / Essay Samples / Life / My Future / Letter To My Future Self
Letter To My Future Self
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