letter to self assignment

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Why I Have Students Write Letters to Their Future Selves

A writing assignment they’ll remember.

Community building is essential to any classroom’s success. And, if you’re going to accomplish anything in an upper grade classroom, you really have to work on student engagement, especially now. This means that teachers have to dig into two toolboxes at all times: the “build community while being self-reflective” activities and the one labeled “OMG can y’all believe how exciting this activity is?!”

Over the years, I’ve assigned writing assignments to help build community. They’ve changed to avoid duplication of other classes and prompts, and this year,  I decided to have students write a letter to their future self. That’s when I found FutureMe in the classroom , which fit in both of those toolboxes above!

The idea is simple: you create a single page for students to type a letter to their future self, which the site then delivers electronically on the future date that you or the students set. Students only have to work in one text field, enter their email address, choose a delivery date, and send. It’s that easy.

Save time on your lesson planning

My reality as an educator, like many of yours, is difficult to describe right now. My planning time is booked from now till February, by which time I should be caught up on September’s grading! That was a solid plus for FutureMe. Once I started thinking about my prompt and how I wanted the students to interact with the site, it only took about 15 minutes to get everything ready.

Customize as little or as much as you’d like

The live preview captures what you see as you edit.

The site is intuitive. As you customize the page that students will see, your updates appear live in a frame on the same tab. This is especially helpful if you want to modify the colors, which I did to match our school’s colors. It’s also easy to adjust the colors of the text and the “send” button. When you’re done, or if you just want to see the student page, just hit the Preview link.

I set our work to private—only the students will see their emails (a few students sent them to their parents’ email addresses, too). This is a personal choice and it works for our classroom community, but you can adjust those settings with a click. You’re also able to choose between having the students choose their own date or setting it for them. For this assignment, I let the kids choose their date. I plan on going back to the site in a few weeks for a more formal assignment. For that, I’ll set the date for them. You can also choose to make letters available publicly by selecting which ones might be appropriate and interesting to share.

Discover effortless student engagement

I made a QR code for the link for the students to scan using their devices, and the site loaded right up. Once the students were on the site, they knew exactly what to do. They played around with changing the delivery date and talked with each other about the choice they made. Questions included, “can I curse?” “can I send this to my mom, too?” and “can we do this next week, too?”

An important aspect of any Letter to My Future Self assignment is this magical idea that we have acted outside of time—that a future version of ourselves can interact with a past version of ourselves, connecting old to young, present to past, and spurring nostalgic feelings. When the kids finished, they pressed “Send to the Future,” and it was gone, like magic.

Think beyond the classroom prompt

It’s great to have paper handy for those first drafts

Another plus for FutureMe, for sure—there was no teacher stuffing a letter into a yellow envelope with a promise to send on to a high school teacher or sealed and stamped envelopes stashed in a drawer to wait for a future postal worker. FutureMe maximizes student agency for a common activity, turning it from an old, wooden desk and paper envelope kind of thing into the familiar space of tech and social media actions. If you choose to make some of the letters public, you can expand the reach of the assignment even further.

Consider a variety of prompts to get students started. In each one, encourage students to think of themselves not just as students, but as human beings: sisters, brothers, friends, sons or daughters, creatives, athletes, leaders, etc.

• What is one thing you’d like to accomplish this year?
• Describe how you feel right now and what you enjoy doing.
• Where do you see yourself as a student in X length of time?
• What are you most proud of in your life so far? What do you want to be proud of in one year?
• Describe something you are struggling with right now, and describe what it might look like to have overcome it.
• Write a letter to give your future self some encouragement and love!
• How have you changed over the past few years, and how do you hope to change over the next few?

In future assignments, I will change the setting so I can read and grade or give feedback on them. The flexibility is important to me, and FutureMe provides exactly the kinds of focused choices that have a meaningful impact on the student’s experience. My students are looking forward to the next assignment, and so am I!

Learn more about FutureMe

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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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How to Write a Letter to Your Future Self

Last Updated: May 21, 2024 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. 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 521,251 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), or a letter-writing website (like FutureMe). [11] 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
• ↑ https://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://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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Lesson plan; write a letter to your future self.

Introduction..

In this very personal activity, students have the chance to write a letter to their future self, to open either at the end of the school year or at the end of high school/middle school or later in life.

Important : Tell the students that they are the only person who will ever read their letter (unless they choose to share it with others). This means that they can write in any language, do a great job or not such a great job – because they are the only ones who will ever know.

Consider a variety of prompts to get students started. In each one, encourage students to think of themselves not just as students, but as human beings: sisters, brothers, friends, sons or daughters, creatives, athletes, leaders, etc.

• What is one thing you’d like to accomplish this year or in 3 years?
• Describe how you feel right now and what you enjoy doing.
• Where do you see yourself as a student in 1 or 3  or 6 years’ length of time?
• What are you most proud of in your life so far? What do you want to be proud of in one year?
• Describe something you are struggling with right now, and describe what it might look like to have overcome it.
• Write a letter to give your future self some encouragement and love!
• How have you changed over the past few years, and how do you hope to change over the next few?

Use the service FutureMe . Every student needs a personal email account to do this.

Watch the videos below for inspiration and read this article in The Guardian about 31-year-old Wilfred Chan and how he has used this service since he was 17.

“I hope you can remember what it felt like to be 21,” young me wrote. “Because I have no idea what I want to do with my life right now, but it’s okay. Because I do have faith that things are going to find a way to work themselves out.” As I read it, I felt memories of the last decade wash over me. Twenty-one-year-old me would never have predicted that I would start my career in Hong Kong, as a journalist covering its  tragic democracy movement . That I would return to New York City years later and work for a while  delivering food . That we would face a pandemic amid resurgent white supremacy and accelerating climate catastrophe.

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Write a letter to your future self

Write . Pick a receiving date. Send . Verify. That’s it 😊 Your letter is safe with us - we’ve sent over 20 million letters in 20 years!

You will receive a confirmation email - please make sure your email address is correct! By writing a letter and signing up for FutureMe you agree to the Terms of use

FutureMe letters are great for…

• ❤️ Reliving memories in vivid detail
• 📈 Acknowledging growth & achievements
• ✅ Setting goals for the future
• 😌 Decluttering your mind to find some headspace

Download our Official Mobile App

Never leave the life of your letter at the mercy of an overcrowded inbox ever again.

With our new app, all you have to do is login to your account to view a list of letters you’ve sent, and your collection of letters you have already received to date!

Are you a manager, business owner, team leader, or education worker?

Need some inspiration ?

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Future Letter Ideas!

Hi there! Writing a letter to the future can be a powerful experience. And receiving a surprise letter from the past can be an even more powerful experience. Check out the testimonials all of the people who agree! .

• To your next birthday (obviously!)
• To a date by which you predict we are "back to normal" and recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic. What did we learn?
• Uma data que você atingiu um objetivo importante (Se formou? Se casou? Aposentou!)
• Write a story in present tense about your life in 5 years ("You are sipping coffee in your new home...") and paint a picture of your future self's day.
• To yourself, when you will be your parents age.
• To your kids, when they will be your age. Or to the age when you think you will have kids.
• To your spouse/partner, on your 10th (20th? 50th?) anniversary (you must create an account first to write to someone else!)
• To the year 2030, when the IPCC says we must hit Greenhouse Gas Reduction goals to keep Global Warming below 1.5 degrees celsius.
• To yourself, while you're on your next vacation.
• ...Or...while on vacation, to yourself when you've back "to the grind."

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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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5 Letter To Future Self Examples For High School Students

Greetings, time-travelers, and future selves! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to communicate with your future self? Well, put on your wackiest imagination hats and join us on this journey. Writing a letter to your future self is a chance to step into a time machine and project yourself into the future. 

Think about it, what if in the future, we could travel back in time and meet our past selves? What would you tell them? Would you share some secrets or give them some sage advice? Writing a letter to your future self is the closest we can get to this phenomenon. It’s a chance to capture your current thoughts, hopes, and dreams, and send them off into the future.

Moreover, wouldn’t it be cool to have something like this on your bucket list? So, grab your pen, put on your craziest socks, and let’s start writing our letters to the future! Who knows what kind of zany adventures await us?

A time capsule from high school: A letter to my future self

Dear Future Self,

I hope this letter finds you well and happy. As I sit here writing this letter, I can hardly believe that several years have passed since I was in high school. I remember the excitement and anticipation of those years, but also the challenges and uncertainties that came with them.

If you’re reading this letter today, I hope you’re doing something that brings you joy and fulfillment. Maybe you’re pursuing a career that you’re passionate about or maybe you’re still figuring it out. Either way, I hope that you’re happy with the path you’ve chosen and the person you’ve become.

As I reflect on my time in high school, there are a few things I wish I could tell my younger self. First, I would remind myself to be kind to others, even in the face of adversity. Second, I would encourage myself to take risks and try new things, even if it felt uncomfortable or scary. And finally, I would tell myself to trust the journey and have faith in my own abilities.

So, if you’re ever feeling lost or uncertain about your future, remember these three things. You are capable of achieving great things, and you have the strength and resilience to face whatever comes your way. Keep pushing yourself to grow and learn, to take risks and try new things, and always remember to be kind to yourself and those around you.

Your Past Self

I hope this letter finds you happy and healthy, with a life that you love. As I write this, I am a high school student with dreams and aspirations that I hope to achieve in the future.

When I think back on my high school years, I remember the moments of self-doubt and uncertainty that sometimes held me back. But I also remember the people who believed in me and encouraged me to keep pushing forward. If you’re reading this letter today, I hope you’ve continued to surround yourself with positive influences who support and inspire you.

As you reflect on your journey thus far, I hope you can look back with pride on all that you’ve accomplished. Whether you’ve pursued a career that you’re passionate about or traveling the world to experience new cultures, I hope that you’ve lived a life full of adventure and purpose.

If there’s one thing I want to remind you of, it’s this: don’t forget to take care of yourself. In the pursuit of your dreams, it’s easy to forget about your own well-being. But self-care is essential for living a happy and fulfilling life. So, take the time to rest and recharge, explore your passions and hobbies, and prioritize your mental and physical health.

I believe in you, and I know that you’re capable of achieving great things. Keep pushing yourself to grow and learn, take risks, and try new things, and always remember to take care of yourself along the way.

Dear Future Me,

I hope this letter finds you well, happy, and surrounded by the people you love. As I write this, I am filled with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and a little bit of fear. Excitement because I know you have achieved great things and have lived a life full of adventure, anticipation because I can’t wait to see what the future holds, and fear because I know that life is unpredictable, and anything can happen.

One thing I know for sure is that you have not let fear hold you back. You have always been a risk-taker, willing to step out of your comfort zone and pursue your dreams. I hope you have continued to do so and that you have found success in everything you have set your mind to.

I also hope that you have stayed true to yourself and that you have not to compromise your values or beliefs to fit in with others. You have always been authentic, and I hope you have continued to be true to who you are.

Lastly, I hope that you have found happiness in all aspects of your life. That you have cultivated meaningful relationships, pursued your passions, and found fulfillment in your work.

Remember, you are capable of achieving great things. Keep pushing yourself, stay true to who you are, and never stop dreaming.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Your past self

As I write this letter, I’m a high school student with big dreams and aspirations for my future. One thing that has always been important to me is making a positive impact on the world around me. I hope that, by the time you’re reading this letter, you’ve found ways to make a difference in the world.

Whether you’re working in a field that directly impacts people’s lives or volunteering your time to support a cause you’re passionate about, I hope you’ve found ways to use your talents and resources to create positive change.

But I also know that making a difference in the world can be overwhelming and exhausting at times. So, if you’re ever feeling burnt out or discouraged, remember that every small action counts. Whether it’s a kind word to a stranger or a donation to a local charity, every act of kindness and generosity adds up to make a difference.

I believe in you and your ability to make a positive impact in the world. Keep pushing yourself to grow and learn, to take risks and try new things, and always remember that even the smallest actions can make a big difference.

Your High School Self

As I write this letter, I’m a high school student with a passion for creativity and self-expression. Whether it’s through writing, painting, or music, I’ve always found joy in creating something new and unique.

If you’re reading this letter today, I hope you’ve continued to nurture your creative spirit and pursue your passions. Maybe you’ve published a book, exhibited your art in a gallery, or performed on stage in front of a live audience. Or maybe you’ve simply found ways to incorporate creativity into your everyday life.

Whatever your creative pursuits may be, I hope they bring you joy and fulfillment. And if you ever find yourself feeling stuck or uninspired, remember that creativity takes many forms and can come from unexpected places. Take a walk in nature, try a new hobby, or simply take a break and let your mind wander. You never know what new ideas or inspirations might come your way.

I believe in you and your ability to create something beautiful and meaningful. Keep pushing yourself to explore new ideas and take creative risks, and always remember that your unique perspective and voice are valuable and worthy of expression.

Many high school quotes suggest that in writing these letters to our future selves, we are setting goals and aspirations for ourselves. We are acknowledging our current selves and our hopes for what we will become. It’s important to remember that our futures are not set in stone and that we have the power to shape them.

Whether it’s reflecting on our past selves, making plans for the future, or exploring our passions and creativity, each of these letters is a reminder of who we are and who we want to be. As we continue to grow and evolve, we can look back on these letters as a source of inspiration and motivation.

So, let’s continue to write these letters to our future selves as a reminder of our dreams, aspirations, and goals. Let’s strive to become the best versions of ourselves and to create a future that we are proud of. The possibilities are endless, and the future is ours to shape.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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Write a Letter To Your Future Self

• by Celes     |    
• Self-Improvement

(Image: Agnes Kantaruk )

Have you written a letter to your future self before? Back in the early 2010s, I came across the Yahoo! Time Capsule, where users could contribute to a digital legacy of how life was in 2006, which would be opened at a later date. I then came up with the idea to write 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!

Why Write a Letter To Your Future Self?

Doing this exercise can be a very powerful experience.

Imagine writing to your future self 5 years from now — what would you say to him/her? What kind of person would you be? What goals would you want to have achieved? Writing the letter gets you thinking about your goals 5 years from now. As you write your letter, you start to think about the actions you should take now to achieve your goals by then.

When you read your letter 5 years into the future, you can assess (a) whether this vision you wrote before matches who you are today, and (b) how much of it has been achieved. Often times, our life plans are subjected to many changes due to unexpected obstacles, unanticipated circumstances, and changing life priorities. Your letter lets you take a step back and identify the things you need to continue or do differently to move forward.

In addition, when you write your letter, your consciousness and thoughts are stored in your words. When you read it, it’s like you are being contacted by the old you. It gives you a different insight into yourself and lets you see how much you have changed since then. :)

How To Write Your Letter

While you can write to your future self from any time period, I recommend to start with a one year time frame. This way, it’s easier to envision your goals, and it also gives you a comfortable time frame to take action.

(If you like, you can write two letters, one to the future you a year later and another to the future you three or five years later.)

Refer to today’s date.

• What do you want to be one year from now?
• What are the goals and dreams you want realized by then?
• What is your desired status for the areas on your  life wheel ? Career/Business/Studies? Money/Wealth? Family? Friends? Love? Health? Spirituality? Recreation? Contribution? Self-Image?
• Once you’re done, sign off with your name and today’s date.
• Put the papers in an envelope. Seal it.
• On the cover, write “To [Your Name]. To be opened on [Date].” Replace “[Your Name]” with your name, with “[Date]” the date that’s one year from now.
• Set an appointment in your calendar to open your letter one year from now.
• Put this envelope in a safe place where no one can access it.
• In this one year, work hard on your goals and vision! Then open and read your letter one year from today. :)

For your letter format, you can either write a physical letter or type it. I used to write my letters using pen and paper, but I’ve since switched to typing and printing the final copy (this way I have a backup if anything happens).

You can use  FutureMe.org , a service that helps you send your message to your desired email address at any point in the future. Personally I recommend to write your letter on your computer and store it, rather than using such a service. With an external service, you never know who has access to your letters, and your letter will be gone if the service gets shut down.

Opening My Letter From My Past Self

Back in 2008, on February 2010, I wrote two letters to my future selves. The first letter was to my future self one year later, on February 10, 2009. The second letter was to my future self 5 years later, on February 10, 2013.

So a year later on February 10, 2009, I opened my first letter and read in excitement . It was interesting seeing what I was like a year ago and how much I have changed. There were some things that I accurately foresaw, and many things I didn’t anticipate.

In terms of goals, I had achieved several goals. For Career, I leapt ahead of my predictions — in my letter, I wrote that I would still be working in my ex-company while working on my purpose on the side, and quit my job a few years later. As it turned out, I had already quit my job and started working on my purpose full time! :) In terms of Health, I had reached my desired weight/look, something I was really proud of as losing weight was something I had struggled with for years.

There were some goals I had not reached yet. For example for Love, I thought that I would have found my relationship partner by then, but I had not. This wasn’t an issue as I came to the realization that  we are already perfect as singles  (I would later meet my husband in 2013). In terms of Friendship, some friends whom I thought I would still be on great terms with had slipped away. Instead, I formed great friendships with other people in the past year. In a way, it’s a natural equilibrium — when you let go of certain connections, new connections will take their place.

There were goals that I didn’t reach as I abandoned them halfway because they lost meaning to me. For example, buying a car. When I received a pay rise the previous year and was able to consider getting a car, I realized that owning a car in Singapore, where public transport is readily available, does not resonate with my highest self. My original intent of getting a car was more for image reasons — growing up, we were often told that having a car was a symbol of success. That desire had long been shed, along with my old self. Not to mention, having a car isn’t exactly environmentally friendly.

On the same note, I had changed in the past year in terms of my materialistic tendencies. While I was not a materialistic person when I wrote my letter in 2008 (I was 23), I became less materialistic since, given my revelations on material wealth and goods . My consciousness was also higher as I had been working a lot on my growth.

All in all, reading my letter made me realize several things. It made me more conscious of how I have changed vs. the past (vs. just relying on memory). It reminded me of some of my past visions that I lost track of along the way. It made me appreciate how far I have come and look forward to the future.

Subsequently, I opened my 5-year letter and shared my results here: Write a Letter To Your Future Self [Video]

Write Your Letter To Your Future Self

Grab your pen and paper now and start writing your letter to your future self! Identify a time period to write to, imagine what you would be like, and then start writing! Think about the kind of person you would like to be, what you would want to be doing, what you would have accomplished by then, and what you want to say to yourself.

Follow the steps in the exercise above. Get working on your goals, then open your letter with pride a year from now! :)

Update Aug 2014 : I created a video tutorial on writing a letter to your future self, where I share more tips plus open my 5-year letter to myself. Watch: Writing a Letter to Your Future Self [Video]

For those of you with  Live a Better Life in 30 Days , the task for Day 29 is to write a letter to your future self.

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I’ve seen a lot of letters to past selves. Here’s what I would say to my post-pandemic self, they read. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are the only one you can count on. Slow down. You can’t go through life afraid to live it. You’re going to be so proud of yourself! I even wrote one in 2019, a tough love letter to my twenty-something self. But why look back? What about our future selves? What questions do we want to ask? What do we wonder?

The theme on Wit & Delight this month is “Show Up As Yourself.” So, I was intrigued to write about the possibility of change and speak to a portion of myself I don’t know. I want to explore how the future me might feel. I want to dedicate time to that mystery soul. This person could have children, not have children, experience loss, grow old, find growth, experience unknown pain, and develop new habits. When we write to selves about the past, we know them and there’s a pompous clarity in the writing. Sure, giving advice to our past selves is fun. But is it helpful? How can we best explore who we might become? How can we best break down the walls of the person we’re afraid to see? How do we write about the unknown?

I want to write a letter with more intention. I want to ask questions and discover what scares me about getting older. In a way, that’s what the most honest writing does for us anyway.

When I think about it, we are always (sort of) writing to future versions of ourselves. We write through dreams and aspirations, ideals, and healing. We imagine the future in great depth, struggling to center on the present. But, I want to write a letter with more intention. I want to ask questions and discover what scares me about getting older. In a way, that’s what the most honest writing does for us anyway. Right? Okay, here goes nothing/everything.

Dear future self,

Hi, it’s me from the past. I’m thirty-five. I don’t know how old you are now. I’m envisioning you’re in your sixties. You’ve lived an entire life. You’re as old as your mom was when you wrote this letter. I guess this letter is sort of like inception. I’m so afraid to write this. I’m struggling to imagine who you are. Can I be honest? You’re you, after all. Right now, I feel selfish. I want to tell you all the things I want in my life. I hope you got them. Right now, your thirty-something self is needy. I want a baby. I don’t want a baby. I want more money. I want to live within my means. Beyond my means. I want more time. I want to scoop minutes up and feel like I can’t possibly carry all the hours to the end of my driveway. I want everyone to live forever. I don’t want to experience deep grief. I’m so lucky. I’m so selfish. 

If you’re sixty, lucky enough to live until then, I know you’ve experienced pain by now. The deep kind, the oceanic kind, the kind that is so dark and expansive, you wouldn’t be able to explain it to me. Are you okay with that grief? I read this quote in Susan Cain’s book Bittersweet recently (you should read it again and see how you feel). “If we could honor sadness a little more, maybe we could see it—rather than enforced smiles and righteous outrage—as the bridge we need to connect with each other. We could remember that no matter how distasteful we might find someone’s opinions, no matter how radiant, or fierce, someone may appear, they have suffered, or they will.” I didn’t mean to jump right into suffering. That must be my fear pouring through. You’ve always been a deeply melancholic person. You love sad music. You have an acute awareness of passing time. You have a joyful curiosity about specific beauty points in the world. Lately, I’ve identified with the Arabic proverb, “Days of honey, days of onion.” You are the definition of bittersweet. Are you still? 

I also read in Bittersweet that, as we get older, we find comfort with the passing of time. I imagine you don’t try and slow it down. You are a quiet way of being, a force of storied tradition, loss, and joy. Does that feel beautiful?

I’m sure you’ve turned toward many humans, loved them, held them, and cared for them. But I hope you’ve done the same for yourself. Somehow, I know you will.

I have some wishes, as well. I hope you transform your sorrow and longings into art. I hope you’ve written a lot of letters. I hope work didn’t consume you, even though you let your job get away from you in your thirties. I hope you gave your parents the stage and the time. I’m sure you’ve turned toward many humans, loved them, held them, and cared for them. But I hope you’ve done the same for yourself. Somehow, I know you will. I want you to remember a few things about this time in your life. I want you to remember how light you felt when you rode Crow, that big chestnut horse you adored. I want you to remember how it felt to see your words in print for the first time, proof you exist. I want you to remember your little yard in front of your first home, the mow lines, and how much you care about grass and impressing the neighbors. I want you to remember late nights in the garage with Jake, refurbishing furniture so everything in your home always reminds you of the work, the polish. I want you to remember the smell of hot tomatoes and summer with your small niece and nephew. I want you to remember their sticky cheeks and bursting, tiny voices. Remember that Jake loves to build you things. Remember the ocean with your mom and sister, how it feels to reach out to them, and love them in the morning fog of Carmel. Remember the Northwoods with your friends when none of you had children. Remember hot, fried buttered buns at fish fries and how much time you had to watch your peonies grow. Remember the feverish wanting of pregnancy , the unknown hope of craving expansiveness, a physical outwardness. 

I also want you to remember the hard things. I want you to remember living paycheck to paycheck, not being able to get the things you wanted because you didn’t have enough money. I want you to remember the doctor bills you struggled to pay, crying on the way home from work, not being able to imagine traveling to other countries, and wondering if your life was limited to 200 miles north, east, south, and west of your home. Did you travel more? Do you still feel this? All these things will feel different to you now, perhaps as distant memories. Small moments in your thirties that you’ll read later like you’re starving. Perhaps there’s something else entirely that makes you feel light. I hope you’re still riding. I can imagine you still care about clean yards and a pretty lawn. That’s what makes you a lot like your dad. We carry our family with us everywhere.

When you were in grade school, you’d write long lists of “favorite things” so you could look back years later and read about how much you’d changed. You were obsessed with seeing that, five years ago, you had a crush on so-and-so and loved (god forbid!) The O.C. and the color blue . 

All these things will feel different to you now, perhaps as distant memories. Small moments in your thirties that you’ll read later like you’re starving. Perhaps there’s something else entirely that makes you feel light.

Let’s try that again! Right now, I’m really into Brené Brown’s podcast (are podcasts still a thing?), Dirty Shirleys, antiquing, The Vermont Country Store catalog, my Gentle Reminder Calendar , Paper Mate colorful pens , watching Love Island (sorry, future me), dressing like Meryl Streep in It’s Complicated , sleep aids like sipping iced Sleepy Time Tea before bed, horse head bookends, weather patterns, gingham accents, and how Jake looks at me when I’m talking about something I love. Do you still love these things? Do you wish for them? In my Passion Planner , I write down the biggest lesson I learn every month. Here’s what I’ve written this year:

• Resonance is important.
• Nothing beyond love and kindness matters.
• Your anger is you. Not anyone else. Sit inside that.
• Stop anticipating, trust the burn.
• Being uncomfortable is progress.
• Sadness is wide, grief is a close friend.
• Nothing should be rushed.
• You can always go back.
• Hold fear and joy in equal glory. Both can exist at once.
• You are always doing better than you think.
• Dandelions are good.
• To be happy, be more tree.
• Don’t go to a concert high.

I’m sure you have so many to add now. Or maybe you don’t. Or maybe you think these are ridiculous. Or maybe you no longer find the need to make “lesson lists.” I’m happy. I have my hard days. I have bad habits. I haven’t gone to the dentist to fill those cavities, so I hope you don’t have five crowns by now. I am putting a lot of money toward my 401K, so I hope I’m setting you up for success. I’m doing my best. That’s the lesson here. My thirty-something best is hopefully your sixty-something peace of mind. 

Will people find this article on the internet in twenty-five years? ( Writer’s Note: Please don’t talk to me about how I’ll be sixty years old in twenty-five years.) Will they find it funny? Weird? I’m not sure. Perhaps, like in the past, internet articles will wash up like a lost bottle in the sea—little shards of the lived. And someday, I will come back to this past self, searching for my future. I might have to print it out, just in case. Either way, I hope you’re happy too. I hope life feels full. I hope the people in your life reflect how you have shown your beacon of light in the world, no matter how faint or how strong.  Sincerely, Brittany, your thirty-something (past) self

Lastly, I highly recommend you try this exercise.

Writing to a later version of myself gave me some specific clarity about who I want to be and how I want to grow. 

Here are some tips to try to write your own “future-self” letter:

• Write down what you want to remember.
• Write down what you don’t want to remember.
• Write about your favorite things.
• Jot down notes about how you’re feeling right now.
• Scribble down the lessons you’ve learned.
• Ask your future self how you’re different now.
• Lastly, write a note to yourself in a year, three years, five years… put them in an envelope and write down the date you can read them again.

Will you write yours?

Brittany Chaffee is an avid storyteller, professional empath, and author. On the daily, she gets paid to strategize and create content for brands. Off work hours, it’s all about a well-lit place, warm bread, and good company. She lives in St.Paul with her baby brother cats, Rami and Monkey. Follow her on Instagram , read more about her latest book, Borderline , and (most importantly) go hug your mother.

BY Brittany Chaffee - September 20, 2022

Like what you see? Share Wit & Delight with a friend: 

amazing article.

Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

What an interesting thing to do I love this idea!

xo Jessica <a href=”https://anindigoday.com/”>an indigo day</a>

Thank you, Jessica! Let me know if you give it a try!

This was absolutely beautiful – I did not expect to stumble across this this morning. Your writing is soft, and clever, and inspiring. You should be proud of what you created here. Thank you for sharing.

I appreciate this so much 🙂 Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Trying this exercise truly helped me feel closer to myself and I hope it helps others do too! xoxo

This was absolutely beautiful. I didn’t expect to get emotional reading it but as a 36 year old woman so much of what you said was relatable. Thank you

Thank you so kindly, Melissa! This makes my day to hear you could relate to this letter. It was so meaningful for me to write, so I’m happy it was for you as well!

Amazing article! Thanks for the positive and encouraging words of wisdom! 😊

Thank you so much for reading, Britney! Have a lovely weekend!

Thank you for this. I am 70 and my 8 year old adopted daughter has an assignment to do this very thing. I think it will be a great experience for her. Your words reached my heart and came out of my eyes. Thank you

Hello, Diane. It is so incredible to me that your daughter is doing this exercise! I think I did something like it at her age too and I wish I could find that letter now. Thank you for reading and loving.

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My favorite end-of-the-year activity for high school: letter to future self

One of my favorite end-of-the-year activities I’ve ever done with my students is an end-of-the-year letter to themselves. I did this one year that I had seniors. I had them write a letter to their future selves, and I told them I would mail the letters to them in one year.

Several days before we begin the assignment, I tell students that they will be writing a letter to themselves and that I’ll need for them to bring in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. I collect the self-addressed stamped envelopes for several days before the actual assignment, and I keep them organized and separated by class period and then in alphabetical order.

The main reason why I collect the self-addressed, stampede letters for several days is so that more students bring them in. I usually let them know about the assignment on a Thursday so they have the weekend to get the supplies, and then we usually don’t write until the end of the next week.

I provide envelopes and stamps for all of the students who did not bring in their own. Usually, there are not that many. Also, I suggest checking with your school because they might mail the letters for you! Also, if you are looking for more end-of-the-year activities for middle school and high school students, you might want to check out this blog post .

Since I did this activity with seniors, we first discussed the big steps they were about to take including graduating from high school, possibly going away to college, possibly starting at a community college, possibly joining the military, or possibly joining the workforce. We also talked about hopes, dreams, goals, and aspirations for the year after high school. I also shared stories about my first year away at college with them as well. I shared fun experiences like moving into the dorms, challenging experiences like learning how to navigate an entirely new city all on my own, and how I managed to juggle a part-time job with school work.

Then, I asked them to think about what they hoped to accomplish in the year following high school. I asked them to think about what they wanted to learn, what they hoped to achieve, and where they wanted to be in one year from now.

For the actual assignment, they turned in their letters in sealed, self-addressed, stamped envelopes. I didn’t read the letters. They were not for me; it was an assignment for my students. It was a credit/no credit final assignment. On the day they wrote the letters in class, they were engaged. I could tell they were really thinking about what to write to their future selves. I put on some music for some ambiance, and it was a memorable moment. The air was heavy with optimism, excitement, and a bit of trepidation.

After all of my students turned in their letters, I stored them in a filing cabinet for a year. Exactly one year later, at the end of the next school year, I reminisced about my amazing senior classes from the years prior (and they truly were amazing classes. I missed those students so much the following year) as I took out the envelopes and put them in the mail.

Possible Reflection Questions If your students need some extra guidance, here are some reflection questions you can write on the board to help your students think about what to write.

• Where do you hope to be in one year?
• What do you hope to have accomplished in one year?
• What do you want to be working towards?
• How do you think this next year will go?
• What are you most excited about for this next year?
• What are you most worried about for this next year?
• How can you help make the world a better place?
• If you aren’t where you want to be in one year, what advice can you give your future self?

More End of the Year Activities End of the Year Activities for Secondary Students Growth Mindset End of the Year Activities End of the Year Mini Flip Book

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ELA Matters

Engaging both middle school and high school learners!

Letters to my future self: A reflective teaching activity

I’m just under 10 days away from the end of this school year and we all know this was a tough one. We thought last year was but then… but then… However, the emails that I scheduled last year for anticipated tough times this year were a saving grace for me this year. Letters to my future self – written by me, to me!

Yes, you read that right. I scheduled emails to myself! A tweak on an end-of-year activity that I do with my students each year. (You can check out that ready-made lesson here .) When my students wrote their letters last year across several periods of classes, I wrote ones to myself. I will do the same thing over the next 10 days. I will use futureme.org to schedule those emails to myself too. Then I will forget about what day and time I set and be pleasantly surprised when one appears seemingly out of the blue!

So what do I say in those emails? Well, I’m funny and a good storyteller so there’s always that as a pick-me-up ! But more often it’s an email that makes sure I remember the struggle, my resilience or not (instead sharing my I-just-got-through-it-but-here-we-are-on-the-other-side story), and, of course, the joy that was found in the year. I write about student breakthroughs or no breakthroughs but still making it through . I write about that really great lesson that was a hit. Or that time a few of them turned their cameras on to participate in discussion. I write all kinds of things! I know that November and February are hard so I schedule emails that recap some of the highlights and/or what I want to remember to keep me going at those particular times. 

The emails that I scheduled last year for anticipated tough times this year were a saving grace for me this year. Letters to my future self – written by me, to me!

I also use the future-me letters as part of my lesson planning . I know that I teach A Raisin in the Sun in early January so I set an email to myself for things I want to remember for the unit. These include a great idea or something that really worked or links to resources that I definitely want to use again or a new component to enhance student engagement and learning. Sure I can write those as notes somewhere in a unit plan but in the shuffle it’s not always likely I’ll see it in time to add it in and then I’ll kick myself when I find the note or the long-buried email in my inbox at the end of February after the unit wraps. Instead, the email that pops up just before I start the unit is even more helpful in its timeliness and its reminder of past-me!

In the end, these emails invariably bring a smile to my face at times when that’s really what I need most.

So here’s a question for you… what would you include in the letter to your future self?

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Writing letters to your future and past selves

Increasing your self-awareness through writing letters to your future and past selves.

Letter-writing activities challenge you to think about who you are, who you were and who you want to be. Writing letters can be both extremely emotionally freeing and help you think critically about how you should live now. There are many types of letters to write to yourself; here we highlight two:

• Writing to you future self
• Writing to your past self

Writing a letter to your future self

This activity is about imagining where you are and who you are going to be sometime in the future. Five years is often used as the point in the future to envision as it is both far enough away that your life could be completely different, but close enough for it to seem tangible.

This letter will focus on who you want to be and what you have accomplished between now and then.

• Identify a date in the future (for example five years)
• Write the letter to yourself to be received on that day in the future
• Write it as an actual letter
• Who do I want to be?
• Where do I want to be?
• What do I want to have done?
• Who do I want to be with?
• What of my hobbies have I developed?
• What friends do I still see and prioritise?
• What kind of new friends have I made? Where sorts of places did I meet them?
• Once drafted, read the letter again. Does it seem right? Do you want to make any changes?
• When you are happy with your letter, continue to the next step immediately or put it away for a couple of days and then return to it (recommended).
• Am I on track to be there in 5 years? (or whatever period you chose)
• What changes will I have to make right now to make this a reality?
• What are the first steps I can make today?
• How will my strengths and weaknesses help or hinder me getting there?

There is great value in both writing the letter and doing the assessment of your current direction. It can be valuable to do the reflection of your current state a while after originally writing the letter. Start by rereading it.

Remember that where we see ourselves in the future is likely to change, and therefore doing this activity occasionally can help you assure that you are heading the right direction.

Write a letter to your past self

This activity is about looking back at the person you were with the information you have now. As with writing letters to your future self, five years is often used as the point in the past to look back to – it provides sufficient distance for change to have happened but close enough to be tangible and within your memory.

This letter will focus on what you advice you would give your past self and tell them about what has happened between then and now.

• Identify a date in the past – you might choose one immediately before a transition (for example, before going to university or a big life change)
• Write the letter to yourself to be received on that day
• What are some of the main things you have learned since then?
• What should your past self look out for?
• What is the best advice you could give your past self?
• What would you tell yourself to get through some of the challenges that you faced?
• What would you tell yourself about your successes and the way you dealt with them?
• What type of people have helped you along the way?
• What type of people have made life harder?
• Who do you wish you had spent more time with?
• Once done read the letter again. Does it seem right? Do you want to make any changes?
• Of the advice you have given to your past self, how much of it are you following today? How could you follow the advice better?
• Are there some people or types of people you wish you had spent more or less time with? How can you change that now?
• What else can you take away and apply better to your life and your immediate future?

There is great value in both writing the letter and doing the assessment of your current direction. It can be valuable to do the reflection of you current state a while after originally writing the letter. Start by rereading it.

Remember that hindsight is wonderful but it is not realistic or fair to expect that in the past we could have anticipated all that would come. The aim of this letter is to reflect on and learn from our experiences, and to use this reflection to inform our current and future thinking and behaviour.

Back to ‘Reflecting for self-awareness’

A Purpose In Pain

Finding meaning and beauty in life's obstacles

A Letter To My Younger Self

July 1, 2020

Dear younger me,

There are so many things I want to tell you, it’s hard to know where to start. Life can be so beautiful, and at the same time, so hard. But you are strong enough to get through it all. I’ll begin with this one simple plea:

Don’t grow up too fast.

Slow down and be patient. You have so much life left to live. There is so much that God has planned for you. But right now, enjoy this time in your life. Enjoy having your health and vitality, because you will not have these things forever.

Never waste a second wishing you were older or somewhere else in life. Treasure this time because it goes by too quickly. You will see and experience things that will urge you to grow up too fast; don’t let them. Cherish this time in your life and live every second as fully as you can.

Dear younger me, you are worth so much more than you think you are.

This is something you will struggle with. You will think you’re not good enough but I promise you are. You are so much more than enough. Stop looking to others to find your worth. Learn to love who you are and let that be enough. Know that you are God’s beautiful creation and nothing you achieve in life or fail to achieve will ever change His love for you.

Learn to give yourself grace. I know that you set high expectations for yourself, but please, give yourself a break sometimes. You do not have to be perfect . Perfect is an illusion.

Learn to talk to yourself like you would an old friend. Be kind and gentle with the words you tell yourself. The words you speak to yourself become what you believe. Choose your words carefully.

Dear younger me, try to stop worrying so much.

I promise you the majority of things you’re worried about will never actually happen. Stop wasting your precious time on the what-ifs. If you keep focusing on what could happen in the future or ruminating on things you can’t change from the past, you will miss out on the gift that is here in this moment.

Don’t look back in 20 years and regret that you never learned to appreciate today. There is something to be said for practicing mindfulness. Learn to embrace the present moment.

Dear younger me, hug your grandparents a little tighter.

Soak up every little moment you have with them. Call them, write them letters, let them know how loved and treasured they are. You will not have them forever. Make the most of your time together.

Hug your parents too. Thank them for all the sacrifices they’ve made for you. They love you more than you know and have given you a life that so many others would love to have. Tell them how much you love them as often as you can.

Dear younger me, be grateful for all you have.

Never stop searching for the blessings all around you. If you learn to look, you will find them everywhere. Be grateful for all you’ve been given . Realize the abundance of blessings that surround you.

Be thankful for the people in your life who love and support you. Let them know how much they mean to you. Nurture the relationships in your life. Relationships take work. Strive to always give more than you take from them.

Dear younger me, stop caring so much what everyone thinks about you.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “you wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” There is so much truth in this statement. Remember it. Stop living for the approval of others. You will never be able to please everyone.

There will be people in this life who don’t like you. Learn to accept this and move on. Find the people in this world who do appreciate the fire burning inside your heart. Find them and love them hard.

Learn to forgive quickly, but don’t let anyone walk all over you. Stand up for yourself. Stand up for what you believe in. Believe that there is goodness in this world and make it your life’s mission to seek out and find this goodness.

Dear younger me, stop letting your fear hold you back.

You have wrestled with fear your entire life. Don’t let it win. Choose faith instead of fear. Know that wherever you go, God will go with you. You are never alone.

Don’t let your fear hold you back from living your life and stepping out boldly into the world. You have so many gifts to give; do not let fear prevent you from sharing these gifts with the world.

Dear younger me, don’t let pain harden your heart.

Instead, use your pain for good. Know that it serves a great purpose. Learn from the difficult times in your life . Never stop learning. Let your pain give you a wisdom that you would not otherwise have.

When you go through difficult times, don’t hide your pain and become closed off to others. Learn to share your truth and use your story to help others to feel less alone in theirs. If you do this, you will never waste your pain.

Dear younger me, you can do hard things.

There will be times in life that are hard. But you are so much stronger than you know. You are more resilient and wiser than you know. Don’t ever forget this. There will be times when life will try to wear you down. Don’t let it. There will be times when life will be messy and unpredictable and you will question it all.

But know that God has great plans for you. You will do amazing things in this life. Believe in yourself. This life is so beautiful. Never stop searching for the beauty in this world. And never stop believing that you can change this world. You can make a difference in the lives of others. Trust in yourself, trust in God, and know that you can make it through anything.

Your future self

P.S. When you meet that dark-haired guy that winks at you from across the party, don’t let him go. He will love you fiercely, in sickness and in health. He will love you through the good times and the bad and will make you see all the beauty that you possess. He is a good, good man. The kind of man your father knows that you deserve, the kind he would choose for you if he could. Choose him and don’t ever let him go. He will be one of the greatest gifts that you will ever receive.

Related Posts

• A Journey to Self-love
• Letting Go of Perfectionism

Share this:

July 1, 2020 at 11:18 am

I love it❤️ It’s absolutely true. I would left very similar letter for my younger me.

July 1, 2020 at 2:23 pm

So glad you liked this!

July 1, 2020 at 11:30 am

Such a stunning piece of writing. The hug your grandparents tighter part really hit me. So many things that are relevant to when I was younger. Thank you for sharing this!

July 1, 2020 at 2:24 pm

Thank you so much!

July 1, 2020 at 1:23 pm

So beautifully written as always, Sam! I love what you said about how we believe the things we think about ourselves. It’s a lesson I’m still learning now that I wish I had learned years ago!

It’s so true. The words we speak to ourselves are so powerful. I’m a work in progress with trying to speak to myself more kindly!

July 1, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Love this ❤️ Such encouraging words and so much truth. “Don’t let pain harden your heart”- one of my favorites.

July 1, 2020 at 2:25 pm

Thank you, Lori!

July 1, 2020 at 3:14 pm

I definitely could have used most of these lessons growing up. Those were hard years for me! But at least we know now 🙂

July 3, 2020 at 3:44 pm

Me too, Jennifer. But we are so much wiser now 😊

July 1, 2020 at 3:54 pm

This was so beautiful and really cute! I feel like I can take in many of these messages. “Dear younger me, don’t let pain harden your heart,” was the one that really resonated with me right now. There is so much value in softening.

July 3, 2020 at 3:43 pm

Thank you! I’m glad this resonated with you.

July 1, 2020 at 9:34 pm

I can tell you as a much older me this is on point. It only took me about 55 years to get comfortable in my own skin. Life is short. Live it to the fullest❤️.

July 3, 2020 at 3:41 pm

Glad you could relate to this. Also so glad to hear that you’re finally comfortable in your own skin, you deserve that ❤️

July 2, 2020 at 5:23 am

I love it! This is beautifully written!

July 3, 2020 at 3:40 pm

July 2, 2020 at 11:20 am

Hi, These are so true and at some point, in our 30’s we always think about what we could have done when we were younger! Don’t grow up too fast is my favorite and I wish I would always stay 18. -Nandita http://www.nanditasampat.com/blog

July 2, 2020 at 2:06 pm

This is so sweet, I love it ❤️

Thank you for reading!

July 3, 2020 at 3:07 pm

Such a beautiful post. I could relate so well to it. I actually wish someone had told my younger self all these.

July 3, 2020 at 3:39 pm

Thank you! So glad you could relate.

July 3, 2020 at 4:00 pm

My younger self so needed to hear this, Sam. Thankyou so much for penning this down in such a beautiful way. Sending so much love and light.

July 3, 2020 at 4:43 pm

Thank you so much for reading. I’m glad it resonated with you!

July 3, 2020 at 4:11 pm

This is very creative. I remember writing letters to my future self, but I’ve never written one to my past self.

July 3, 2020 at 6:24 pm

Thank you, Grace.

July 3, 2020 at 6:13 pm

Samantha, this is such a beautiful post. I couldn’t agree more with every single point made, especially to stop worrying. With that being said, I think we need to remind our present selves these things too! Thanks for the great read! Sincerely, BL

July 3, 2020 at 6:20 pm

Thank you so much, I’m glad this resonated with you. And my present self most definitely needs these reminders as well!

July 3, 2020 at 7:50 pm

This is such a beautifully written, heartfelt post. It made my heart smile. Thank you for sharing.

July 3, 2020 at 8:14 pm

Oh I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you for reading!

July 4, 2020 at 1:00 am

Beautiful – don’t you wish we could really do this? Age gives us the wisdom we could have used in our youth! But also, would we heed our own advice? Maybe we’re meant to learn the lessons on our own to arrive right where we are.

July 5, 2020 at 2:55 pm

Yes I wish I could really go back and talk to my younger self but maybe you’re right, everything happens just as it’s supposed to!

July 4, 2020 at 3:18 am

The ones that touched my heart and were very relatable was not growing up too fast and to hug my grandparents tighter. My grandparents live all live in Ghana and they all passed away really quickly and I don’t really remember the last time I verbally told them I loved them. Ever since I was young, I always wanted to be older and on my own and a big girl in the real world by myself, now I’m at the point where I wish I was a kid again to enjoy all of the moments where there was no bills or responsibilities. Thank you for sharing xxx

July 5, 2020 at 2:57 pm

I wish I could hug my grandparents again, and I’m sure you do too. And if only we knew to slow down and not wish to grow up so fast when we were younger. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!

July 5, 2020 at 1:14 pm

Love this! It is so true!

So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading.

July 5, 2020 at 1:28 pm

I love this post and the spirit of what you’re sharing here. Thank you. 🌸

I’m so glad you liked it. Thank you for reading!

July 5, 2020 at 3:47 pm

Beautiful! I can totally relate to “choose faith over fear” and it is something that I would definitely say to my younger self. 🙂 Loved the postscript too! 🙂

July 7, 2020 at 5:44 pm

July 6, 2020 at 3:26 pm

This is really beautiful!

July 7, 2020 at 5:41 pm

July 13, 2020 at 4:07 pm

Took me forever to learn how to give myself grace. Comparison was always my “default” and it wasn’t until my 30s I realized we are on different journeys and loving who I am and how I grow on my journey is the most remarkable feeling I could have. Thank you for this inspiring read

July 16, 2020 at 7:12 pm

This is beautiful Samantha, thank you! A reminder to be kind to ourselves and grateful for all that we have ❤️

July 16, 2020 at 9:18 pm

Thank you Stephanie!

July 24, 2020 at 4:36 pm

I have a list of things I would like to tell my younger self too. Thank you so much for an interesting read

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Student Affairs

Sealed with honor: a letter to your future self.

To the Class of 2028,

Congratulations on your official induction into our Community of Trust! It was a privilege to share one of my favorite UVA events with all of you. I hope that you will reflect on our words as classes commence, student organizations start meeting, and the school year begins to unfold.

By signing the Honor Scrolls, you have joined this outstanding community of students, faculty, and friends that are committed to mutual respect, integrity, and honesty. These values define and distinguish the UVA experience and make it such a special place. Now, you have the opportunity and responsibility to uphold this tradition and to make your mark!

Trust me, the next four years will be a whirlwind of activities, opportunities, and new adventures. I’d like to invite you to participate in another important tradition tonight – writing a letter to your “future self.” It’s important to take the time now to think about what you want your UVA experience to look like, and how you hope to grow and shape the lives of those around you.

“Letter to Your Future Self”

In four short years, just as you are preparing to graduate, having worn the honors of Honors, you will receive your letter back. Your words can serve as a testament to your journey, capturing your growth and moral development, perhaps better than a photograph or memory ever could. The page includes guiding questions, but please write yourself whatever you wish; all letters are private unless made public by you.

So, take a moment to write to your future self – you won't regret it.

And again, congratulations. I look forward to seeing the great things you accomplish here. Please contact me at [email protected] if I can ever be of assistance to you.

Laura Howard Chair, Honor Committee