“Dear me,” the letter begins, as the journey to write a letter to your future self commences.
Are you tapping your pen against a blank page, unsure where to start? Don’t stress, I am here to guide you through this simple yet powerful act of self-reflection.
Writing a letter to your future self is like creating a time capsule filled with milestones, dreams, thoughts, and challenges.
Grab a cup of brew and let’s dive into the why, when, how, and an example of how to write a letter to your future self.
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Why write a letter to your future self?
1. Goal Setting
Writing a letter to yourself is a great way of tracking your aspirations. Once you read the letter in the future, you can reflect on your progress.
2. Accountability
Accountability means taking responsibility for your actions, goals, and their consequences.
I have experienced that writing things down or making vision boards solidifies your goals into reality.
Want a *FREE* Canva vision board template? Click here.
3. Clarity
When you put pen to paper your thoughts become more organized.
The letter will serve as a means to clarify what you want in life and your current circumstances, allowing you to create a more vivid picture of your dreams.
4. Motivation
I have said this multiple times, “Don’t count on motivation. It is temporary.”
However, having a dose of motivation from time to time is great! It can be a source of encouragement during tough times.
5. Self-reflection
Writing a letter to your future self is a superb way to self-reflect.
- It will help you understand your current self and circumstances.
- The letter will also help you recognize growth.
When to write a letter to yourself
So, you want to write a letter to your future self but aren’t sure for which occasion. Here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
- Milestones
- Birthdays
- New Year’s Eve
- Wedding day
- When you buy your first house
- With the birth of your first child
- Landing your dream job
- Or any other significant life events
- Time-related
- For the end of your 5-year plan
- When you turn 30
- Personal moments
- When you’re feeling stuck
- For times when you feel anxious or depressed
- During difficult seasons of your life
- Recurring letters
- Every 6 months or annually
- At the beginning of each year. I write a letter to myself as I set my goals. When I do my year-end life audit, I revisit it. It’s hard to put into words the joy that it brings.
How to write a letter to your future self
Now that you know why and when you should write these letters, we can move on to the step-by-step guide.
1. Cozy up
Find a comfortable and quiet spot with no distractions. Gather everything you may need, such as:
- Notebooks – I use this one.
- Pens
- Vision Board
- Completed Wheel of Life
- And a cup of brew, of course.
2. The Greeting
Address your future self with a warm tone. Remember this is a tool for compassion and self-reflection.
Be kind to yourself ♥.
3. Set the scene
Start the letter by describing your current situation. You can include aspects, like:
- Physical Health
- Direct environment
- Mental health
- Career
- Relationships
- Faith
- Finance
4. Mention your current goals
Describe in detail what you’re currently working towards.
When you revisit the letter later, it’s interesting to see which goals you’ve accomplished and whether your aspirations are the same.
5. Challenges and obstacles
Mention the challenges you are currently facing. Use the above list to elaborate on each aspect. Then describe your plan to overcome them.
It will serve as a motivating reminder when you finally overcome challenges and revisit your letter. And let’s not forget the confidence boost you’ll experience.
6. Accomplishments
Next, write about all your achievements and proudest moments.
Reflecting on milestones is a valuable means to gauge your progress. Often, we overlook our achievements and instead fixate on what’s left to accomplish.
7. Describe your future expectations
Now it’s time to daydream! Which is by far my favorite step.
Paint a vivid picture of your dream life when you revisit this letter. Let your hopes and dreams flow freely without restraining yourself.
8. Ask your future self questions
Include questions you’ll answer later. I always include them in my annual letters. Then, I respond to those questions as I write my next letter.
Here are some examples as inspiration:
- “Did you achieve __?”
- “Are you still passionate about __?”
- “Did you stop __?”
- “Did you find the man of your dreams?”
9. Give yourself a piece of advice
End your letter to your future self with either a nugget of wisdom or a quote you truly like. I guarantee it will make you smile upon revision.
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Tips to write a letter to your future self
- Be specific: Take time out of your day and deep dive into your life. Be as specific as possible.
- Be compassionate: Remember, this is an exercise for self-reflecting, not judging. Be kind to yourself.
- Keep it personal: No one has ever seen my letters. Keep your letters personal, that way you can write anything without the fear of someone judging you.
You’re done, now what?
Whether your letter is digital or physical, store it somewhere you’ll easily find it. I keep mine in my journal.
Set a reminder to notify you when you should read the letter.
Reflect on your letter by answering the questions you left for yourself.
Keep it safe to revisit it later and smile at your progress.
Example Letter
Disclaimer: This is not my personal letter for privacy reasons.
Dear Future Me,
As I write this, I’m sitting at my small desk in our tiny apartment. I am juggling a full-time corporate job while working on my side hustle to achieve financial freedom. Life is messy, but my dream of living a homestead life is a beacon of hope.
Right now, my goal is to save enough money to buy a small piece of land. I’m focused on becoming debt-free and investing in my sustainable living skills.
My biggest obstacle is balancing my time between work, side projects, learning skills, and having a social life. It’s tough, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. I have a successful vegetable patch on my balcony and I’ve made a dent in my debt.
By the time you read this, I hope you’ve managed to buy that perfect piece of land and started building our dream homestead. I hope we are debt-free and our dream of living off the grid is coming true.
Are you still growing your own food? Are you raising animals? Please tell me we have a yellow chicken coop! Did you finally manage to bake sourdough bread?
Take a moment to reflect on your progress. Remember the late nights and the grind. Be proud of your journey and the determination you’ve shown.
Here’s a piece of advice: Always stay true to your values and remember why you started this journey. Remember how people said it’s a pipe dream? Well, you’ve shown them!
With love and determination,
Past Me ♥
Conclusion
Writing a letter to yourself is a powerful tool for self-reflection and goal-setting. Whether striving for financial freedom, a homestead lifestyle, or a successful blog, this simple act can provide clarity and inspiration.
So grab a pen, reflect, set intentions, and start writing to your future self.
She will thank you!
Stay inspired, stay motivated, and keep reaching for your dreams. You’ve got this!
Love, Steph ♥
