What to Write to Your Future Self

Writing a message to your future self can feel oddly difficult. You know what you want to say, but you do not want it to sound cheesy, vague, or forced. The best future self messages are specific, grounded in real life, and kind enough to be useful later.

This guide shares practical ideas and simple prompts for what to write to your future self. It also shows how to structure a future me letter so it reads well in six months, one year, or five years.

Start with a simple check-in

Begin with a short snapshot of your present life. This makes the message meaningful later and gives future you a clear reference point. Write a few lines about:

Where you are living and what a typical day looks like
What you are working on or learning right now
How you are feeling in this season
A small detail you might forget later

Think of this as the “date stamp” of your mind. It sets the context for everything that follows.

Focus on one theme per message

If you try to include everything, the message becomes a diary dump. If you choose one focus, it reads like a clear letter. Common themes that work well for future self messages:

1) Gratitude and perspective

Write down what you are grateful for right now, especially the ordinary things. These notes often feel powerful later when life changes.

Prompts:

What is quietly going well that I might overlook?
Who has been showing up for me recently?
What everyday routine do I want to appreciate more?

2) Goals and progress

This is a great use of a future goal email to yourself. You are not trying to predict the future. You are naming the direction you want to move in.

Prompts:

What goal matters most this year?
What would progress look like by my delivery date?
What is one small step I can take this week?

3) Encouragement and motivation

The best future motivational letters feel like a trusted friend wrote them. Be direct, kind, and specific.

Prompts:

What would I say to myself on a hard day?
What do I want to remember about my own resilience?
What do I need to hear if I am doubting myself?

4) Relationships and connection

Write about the people who matter most. It does not have to be dramatic. Simple acknowledgments are often the most lasting.

Prompts:

Who do I want to stay connected with?
What do I admire about the people in my life right now?
What moment from this season do I want to keep?

5) Health and wellbeing

This is not about perfection. It is about noticing patterns and reminding yourself what helps.

Prompts:

What habits have been working for me lately?
What tends to drain me, and what restores me?
What promise do I want to keep to myself?

Use a structure that reads well later

When you write a message to future self, you are writing for a reader who does not remember today. A simple structure helps.

Try this:

A short hello and date
A present day snapshot
One focused theme
A gentle close

Here is a short template you can copy:

Hello future me,

Today is [date]. I am [brief context]. I want to remember [one detail].

One thing I want to tell you: [your main theme]. I hope you are [encouragement]. If you are not, remember [specific reminder].

I am proud of you for: [small wins or effort].

Love,
Me

Real examples you can borrow

Sometimes it helps to read an example before you write your own. Here are two future self messages you can adapt.

Example 1: A one year check-in

“Hey future me. Today is March 14, 2025. I am starting a new role and I feel equal parts excited and unsure. If you are reading this a year from now, remember why you said yes to the challenge. Did you keep learning? Did you stay kind to yourself? I hope you are proud of the small steps you took every week.”

Example 2: A motivation boost before a milestone

“This is for the morning of the race. You trained through sore legs and doubt. If you feel nervous, remember you did the hardest part: you showed up. Breathe, smile, and run your race.”

Keep it human, not perfect

You do not need to be inspiring or wise. The most helpful future self messages sound like your real voice. If you write a video message, speak as you would to a close friend. If you write text, keep the sentences short and clear.

Some small tips:

Use simple language you will still like later
Include names, places, and dates when it matters
Avoid promises you cannot keep
End with a specific reminder or question

Match the message to the delivery date

The timing changes how the message feels. A time-delayed message to myself for next month should be light and actionable. A message for five years out can be bigger and more reflective.

Examples:

1 week: “Remember why this week matters. Focus on the next step.”
6 months: “Check how that goal is going. Adjust the plan, not the dream.”
1 year: “Notice what changed. Thank yourself for staying consistent.”
5 years: “Look at the path you took. What did you learn?”

Choose the right format

WaymarkNow supports video, photo, and text. Each format fits a different mood.

Video feels personal and warm. It is great for encouragement and milestone messages.
Photo can anchor a memory. Pair it with a short note for context.
Text is simple, searchable, and easy to reread.

Messages can be delivered via email (and SMS where available), which makes them easy to receive without opening an app right away. If you want to send a message to your future self, it helps to pick a date you care about and keep the message short.

Make it a small ritual

Future self journaling works best when it is a habit. You can set a monthly reminder or write a future me letter at the end of each season. The ritual is more important than the length.

Ideas:

End of month reflection
Birthday check-in
End of year summary
Before a big change or move

A gentle closing thought

The point is not to predict who you will be. The point is to build a conversation with yourself across time. A clear, honest message can create that bridge.

If you want a simple way to schedule your next message, explore future self messages and send one to yourself today.