Write an Inspiring Letter From Your Future Self to Your Current Self
Write a heartfelt letter from your future self to your current self, imagining goals, advice, and encouragement, then keep it for reflection.
Step-by-step guide to write an inspiring letter from your future self to your current self
A Message from Your Successful Future Self (Guided Meditation)
Step 1
Gather your paper pen or pencil colouring materials an envelope and something to seal it.
Step 2
Sit in a quiet comfortable spot where you can think and write.
Step 3
Choose an age or year for your future self (for example: "10 years from now" or age 18).
Step 4
Imagine your life at that age and picture three big things you have achieved.
Step 5
Write down the three achievements on your paper in short phrases.
Step 6
Think of three kind pieces of advice your future self would give you.
Step 7
Write down those three pieces of advice as short sentences.
Step 8
Write a greeting at the top of the page such as "Dear [Your Name]" using your current name.
Step 9
Write one paragraph describing the three achievements and why they are important.
Step 10
Write one paragraph giving encouragement and the three pieces of advice in a kind voice.
Step 11
Sign the letter with your future name (how you want to be called in that year).
Step 12
Add the future date or the age you chose near your signature.
Step 13
Decorate the letter with colours drawings or stickers to make it special.
Step 14
Fold the letter place it in the envelope seal it and write the date you will open it on the outside.
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have an envelope, sealing sticker, or fancy colouring materials?
Fold the letter into a second sheet of paper to make a homemade envelope and seal it with tape, glue, or a sticker, and substitute crayons or markers with coloured pencils, watercolour or cut-up magazine pictures for the 'Decorate the letter' step.
My child gets stuck imagining future achievements—what helps them finish the 'three big things' and the paragraph?
Prompt them to choose three simple areas like school, a hobby, and helping others, write short phrases for each as in 'Write down the three achievements,' then use those phrases to build the paragraph 'describing the three achievements and why they are important'.
How can we adapt this activity for a 5-year-old versus a 15-year-old?
For a 5-year-old, have them draw three achievement pictures and dictate the greeting and paragraphs while a parent writes and helps 'fold the letter, place it in the envelope, seal it,' and for a 15-year-old, ask for longer reflective paragraphs, a specific future date or age, and more personal decoration as in 'Add the future date' and 'Sign the letter' steps.
Any fun ways to make the letter more special or to extend the activity after sealing it?
Create a mini time capsule by adding a small photo or ticket stub inside before you 'seal it,' write the open date on the outside, set a calendar reminder for that date, and later share a photo of the sealed decorated letter on DIY.org as the final step suggests.
Watch videos on how to write an inspiring letter from your future self to your current self
Develop Yourself Constantly - Denzel Washington | Inspire Force
4 Videos
Develop Yourself Constantly - Denzel Washington | Inspire Force
Visualise Your Future Self | Guaranteed Transformation | Manifestation Meditation
10 Habits for Self Improvement (Life Changing & Motivating)
Meet Your Future Self Today | Guided Visualization with Stevie Kidd
Facts about journaling and personal growth
✍️ Writing down goals helps people remember them and many coaches and studies say it boosts the chance you'll follow through.
🧭 Feeling connected to your future self can lead to smarter long-term choices — researchers link it to better saving habits.
💌 Teachers and therapists often use letters to your future self to help kids set goals and practice kindness toward themselves.
🕰️ Time capsules have been used for centuries — Westinghouse buried famous ones at the 1939 and 1965 New York World's Fairs.
🌐 You can send a message to your future self online — services like FutureMe let you email yourself years ahead.
How do I guide my child to write an inspiring letter from their future self to their current self?
What materials do we need to write a future-self letter with my child?
What ages is this activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of writing a letter from your future self?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required