How To Write A Letter To & From Your Future Self
Written by Natalie Glennon
If you’ve ever written a letter to your future self, then you probably already know what a treat it is to look back on a past version of yourself and reflect on the personal growth you’ve achieved. If you haven’t written one of these letters, now is the perfect time to start. Not only can a letter to your future self allow you to track progress and growth over time, but it can also remind you of core aspects of your identity and provide a space for you to dream about the future.
Similarly, writing a letter from your future self to your current self can be a great way to tap into the wisdom and strength of that future self, and start working toward that future right now. By visualizing your future self, you can gain perspective on what truly matters to you while boosting your motivation to reach your long-term goals.
Regardless of which kind of letter you want to write, each method has its own benefits as you reflect on what your future self might be like as well as the steps you can take to get there. To get started, I broke down what you might include in each of these letters.
Writing to your future self
Before writing your letter, decide how far into the future you want to be when you read it. This is based on your personal preference and what you might imagine life to be like at a certain age. Whether you choose 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years, make sure you store your letter in a safe place and label it so that you open it on the intended date. Then, you can structure your letter based on these main topics:
Context. Begin your letter by talking about your life as it currently is. You can talk about your school, hobbies, interests, relationships, and priorities. You might even discuss issues that you’re struggling with. But don’t skimp out on details—you’d be surprised at all the little things you’ve forgotten after a few years. Your future self will be grateful to be reminded of what kind of person you were at this stage in your life.
Hopes and predictions. Dedicate a section of your letter to your hopes and predictions about the future. While you imagine your ideal future, your future self can gauge whether your predictions were accurate and whether your aspirations are still relevant. Imagine what your life would look like at your selected age. Do you have a career? Friendships? A relationship? What kinds of experiences do you expect to have had?
Questions. To expand on the previous section and further connect with your future self, you can ask them questions directly. Try to include questions about things you might be grappling with in the present moment or aspects of life that you are unsure about. Some questions might include: Are you still close with the same friends? Are you happy with where you are right now? In what ways have you grown as a person since you were my current age? This provides your future self with a great opportunity for reflection.
Words of affirmation. Speaking words of affirmation to your future self can be a powerful tool to express kindness and compassion to yourself. You never know where you’ll end up in the future, so these words of encouragement could make a world of difference for your future self. You could share your favorite inspirational quote, express gratitude for your future self, or reassure your future self that even if life hasn’t gone as planned, you trust that they are taking steps in the right direction. These expressions of love can also make it easier to extend kindness to yourself in the present moment.
Writing from your future self
While a letter from your future self can involve the same details as listed above, it also requires that you take on the role of your future self and imagine how they might speak to you right now if they got the chance. Try to imagine yourself about 7 years into the future to create the distance you need to tap into their wisdom.
One of the things you can do in this letter is give yourself advice from the perspective of your future self. For inspiration, consider what advice your present self might give to your younger self. Think about how different you were 7 years ago, and what you wish someone had told you then. Then, imagine how your future self might be looking at you right now. Think about the knowledge, experience, and foresight they have, and how they might utilize those things to guide a younger version of themself. By considering the choices they make, you can find strength to make similar choices right now.
You can also use this letter to gain a new perspective on life. For instance, consider the issues you’re currently dealing with. Maybe you feel bothered by a bad grade, an embarrassing moment, or a person who was rude to you. Chances are, your future self won’t even remember those experiences, let alone still be bothered by them. Remind yourself of the 5 by 5 rule: “if something won’t matter in 5 years, don’t waste more than 5 minutes worrying about it now.” Although your current feelings are valid, this reminder can help you accept these experiences as they are without magnifying them, and you can spend your time and energy on the things that truly matter to you instead.
Whether you decide to write a letter to or from your future self, these practices can help you gain new perspectives on life, work toward a future you want, and take steps to become a person you are proud of.