The best thing about writing a personal letter is that you don’t have to adhere to all the formal letter-writing conventions, like formal thank-you letters. You have the ability and freedom to live honestly, which will likely feel very liberating once you do.
If you’re still hesitant or unsure about writing this letter, we’ve put together a guide for you. But you can use all of the following recommendations as a guide. You don’t have to follow any of them. When you’re going through an emotional phase—a high-high or a low-low—there can be a lot of wisdom in letting loose recklessly on a piece of paper.
- Set a purpose.
- Start with the present.
- Set reasonable expectations.
- Make predictions.
- Ask questions to Future You.
- Send it.
How do you write a letter to your future self?
Here are some steps you can take if you want to write a letter to your future self but are unsure where to begin:
1. Decide how far into the future you want to read your letter
With any letter, your content depends on the recipient. Depending on whether you’re writing for someone three months from now or three years from now, the content of your letter to yourself may change. You are free to write the letter as far into the future as you like, or you may decide to write letters to various future selves. You might be aware that you’ll want to read your letter again at a certain point in the future.
The motives behind your decision to write the letter may be deeply personal or merely amusing. You could, for instance, draft a letter to yourself outlining your expectations for when you will achieve the goal of getting promoted at work. When you reread your letter from the previous year, you might decide to write yourself a letter once a year, on your birthday or New Year’s Day. This can be an excellent way to check in with yourself and make sure that your goals and self-improvement are given priority.
2. Talk about whats going on in your life
Set the stage for your future self as you write the letter’s content. Consider adding a date and a brief description of your life’s events to the letter. Providing context can serve two purposes. First, it can serve as a pleasant reminder of where you were. The second benefit is that it can demonstrate how much time has passed between the writing of the letter and your reading of it. It’s crucial to include your starting point when writing a letter for self-improvement.
3. Express your hopes and aspirations
Talk about what you hope your future self has accomplished. You could discuss a project you’ve started and intend to finish, as well as any aspirations or goals you may have for the future. Your words may make you feel proud when you read the letter in the future because you accomplished what was important to you. Or, if you’re still making progress toward those objectives, your letter may serve as further motivation for you to recommit to yourself.
4. Ask yourself questions
Consider including questions for your future self in your letter. Inquire as to how a presentation went, if you grew closer to a new friend, or if something that you were anticipating occurred. These can help you reflect on your priorities and provide context for your future self when writing letters. The answers to the questions might surprise you.
5. Express gratitude and kindness for yourself
Lastly, don’t forget to speak kind, encouraging, and affirming words to your future self. Whoever and wherever your reader is, they might need to hear them. When you finally read the letter, you never know what situation you may be in, so knowing that you are loved and cared for can keep you optimistic. Be careful not to criticize or be frustrated with yourself in the letter. These statements can be upsetting to read later and frequently don’t help you on your path to improvement.
Benefits of writing a letter to your future self
The benefits of writing a letter to your future self are numerous. A letter from the past can be a potent reminder of your identity, your values, and your aspirations no matter what stage of life you are in. It’s impossible to predict which version of yourself will read the letter, and the uncertainty of the future can have a lot of beauty.
Additional justifications for writing letters to yourself include the following:
They can be powerful tools for remembering
A letter you once wrote can serve as a reminder of who you were at the time. You can recollect where you were psychologically, physically, and emotionally by including information about your life and questions for the future. Letters, like old photographs, can help you remember details you might not have otherwise remembered.
They can help you realize how much youve grown
Imagine reading a letter youd written ten years ago. Try to recall your priorities, activities, friends, and aspirations for the future from that time in your life. Likely, a lot has changed. You might not have imagined yourself when you were younger living where you do, working where you do, or being friends with certain people. The same may be true of you in the future, in which case your letter can demonstrate how much has changed.
They can help you refocus on whats important to you
The simple act of writing your letter can inspire you to improve certain areas of your life and can help you refocus on your priorities. Your former self might serve as a reminder of your priorities when you read the letter again in the future. Perhaps you had objectives that you forgot about, things you wanted to accomplish, or things you wanted to do. Reading the letter can serve as a helpful reminder of your hopes for the future.
They can help you keep perspective
Sometimes the beliefs and aspirations you share in a letter reflect a particular period and are no longer valid. For instance, if you had written a letter ten years ago, you might have discussed a relationship that meant a lot to you. Given what you know now, you might be okay with the possibility that the person you wrote about no longer exists in your life. The same can be true for your future self.
The things you believe are most important to you now may feel very different in one, five, or ten years. Past correspondence can be a potent reminder that most things are transient. By the time you read your letter, current dramas, difficulties, or frustrations may have vanished from your memory.
Example letter to your future self
Here is a sample letter to help you with ideas for writing your own. Do not forget to personalize your letter to reflect your objectives and needs. Your letter may look very different from the example.
October 21, 2021
Dear 2022 Angie,
Happy birthday! Congratulations on making it to 28. As I sit in my bedroom on the evening of my 27th birthday, I’m writing this letter. Today was a really great day. We took Koda for a long walk around the lake, Peter made my favorite coconut cake, and Julie and Rebecca joined us for cocktails on the porch following dinner. I’ve given my resolutions for this year a lot of thought, and I’ve decided I want to devote more time to my career. I had no direction at work for a very long time, but since starting this new job, I feel refocused on realizing my potential.
I hope you’re still happy in your job and that you’ve had success. This year, I’m going to concentrate on strengthening my professional connections and establishing my credentials. By this time next year, I hope to have attained some of those professional objectives, be earning a higher salary, and be getting closer to holding a directorial position. Whatever the answers, I hope you’re leading a life you’re proud of. Did you complete your yoga teacher training? Have you continued your painting? Please take care of yourself. I love you and happy birthday!.
All the best,
2021 Angie
Tips for writing a letter to your future self
Here are some more pointers to help you write a successful letter:
Write your letter when youre feeling stable
Although journaling and letter-writing to your future self can be similar, it’s important to keep the two separate. Wait to start writing your letter until you’re motivated and assured. This may facilitate writing something that accurately expresses your aspirations and goals for the future. For instance, if you write a letter to yourself after having a bad day at work, you might not be honest about how you feel about your job. Waiting until you’re in a stable state will help you write something that accurately reflects your values and what’s important to you.
Include more than you think you need to
Don’t be afraid to include detailed descriptions of your current situation and future goals in your letter. You’ll probably enjoy reading a very thorough description of what is happening and how you are feeling. The more information you include about your objectives and situation, the more value your letter will likely be in the future.
Keep your letter safe
Placing your letter in a place where you won’t be tempted to read it before you’re sure no one else will accidentally see it will prevent you from doing so. When it’s time to open your letter, think about setting a reminder on your phone or in a calendar. This will enable you to keep your letter private and open it when your former self intended.
how to write a letter to your future self, explained in 3 minutes // eastaura
FAQ
Should you write a letter to your future self?
On FutureMe, you are permitted to send letters to your future self. org. You can use it to create an email time capsule that will be delivered up to fifty (50) years from now. If you feel the need, you can add images to your message. You can also choose to post your messages on the website anonymously.
