Writing a letter to your future self is a nice way to freeze this moment in time—all the small feelings, the little routines, the hopes you’re holding onto. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why this framework is here. It’s not a strict rulebook, just a gentle guide to help you jot down what matters right now. Whether you’re a student juggling classes, a friend navigating new chapters, or just someone curious about where life might take you, these prompts will make it easy to say hello to the you who’s waiting down the road. Let’s get started.
A Balanced Framework for Writing to Your Future Self:
1,Greeting & Current Snapshot
"Dear [me turning 22 next summer],"
"Right now: [It’s a rainy Wednesday afternoon, I’m curled up on the couch with a blanket, laptop open to a half-written essay]."
"This week: [Had a great lab experiment in biology, but bombed the history quiz – mixed feelings]."
2,Everyday Stuff That Sticks
Regular routine: [Stop at the campus café on the way to 9 a.m. classes, always get a latte with extra foam]
Little joys: [The new playlist I made, with that one Taylor Swift song on repeat]
Annoyances: [My roommate keeps “borrowing” my shampoo – need to hide it better]
3,Feelings in the Moment
Stressed about: [The upcoming group project – our team hasn’t met once yet]
Excited for: [The weekend trip to the lake with friends, we’re bringing s’mores supplies]
Thinking a lot about: [What major to declare – still torn between psychology and journalism]
4,Goals on My Mind
Short-term (next 2 months): [Finish the novel I started – I’m 150 pages in, but keep getting distracted]
Mid-term (next year): [Save up enough to buy a second-hand camera, want to take better photos]
Long-term (a few years from now): [Be someone who travels more – even small trips, just to see new places]
5,People in This Chapter
Close right now: [Jesse – we studied together till 2 a.m. last night, they brought me pizza]
Need to cherish: [My little sister, she facetimed me yesterday to show off her new drawing]
6,Curious Questions for You
"Did I ever [figure out how to fold a fitted sheet? Mom still laughs at me for that]?"
"What’s the best thing that happened since I wrote this?"
"Do you still [hate waking up early, or have you become a morning person]?"
7,Closing Note
"No matter if things worked out like I hoped or not, I hope you’re doing okay. We’re taking it step by step, and that’s enough."
"See you when [spring semester ends, 2026]."
P.S. Add a quick, random note—something only you will get.
“P.S. If you’re reading this, it means I finally figured out how to use [futureletter.org]—told you I could do it. 😉”
Fill in the blanks, be messy, be honest—this is your story, frozen in time for the you who’s waiting. When you’re done, head to futureletter.org, set the date, and let the future do the rest.