Frequently Asked Questions
How does Letter to My Future Self work?
You write a letter, enter your email address, and choose when you want to receive it — from one week to five years in the future (or any date with a premium account). Your letter is stored encrypted until the delivery date, when it's sent straight to your inbox. That's it. No app to download, no account required for free letters.
Is Letter to My Future Self free?
Yes. The core service is completely free — you can write a letter to your future self and schedule it for delivery at no cost. You can also upgrade to Premium for $9/year to unlock extra features like unlimited letters, custom send dates, and the ability to edit or delete scheduled letters.
Is my letter private?
Completely. Your letter is stored encrypted. No one can read what you've written — not us, not anyone else. We will never share your email address or any of your information with third parties. Your words are between you and your future self.
How far in the future can I send a letter?
With a free account, you can schedule your letter up to 5 years in advance. Premium users can choose any date — 10 years, 20 years, or beyond. The most popular choice is one year, but even a week is long enough for a meaningful perspective shift.
Can I edit or delete a letter after I've sent it?
With a free account, letters are locked in once you submit them — which is part of the magic. Premium users can log in to view, edit, reschedule, or delete any of their scheduled letters before the delivery date.
What should I write in my letter?
Whatever's on your mind. Describe your life right now, share your hopes and fears, set goals, ask your future self questions, or just write a single sentence. There's no wrong way to do it. If you need inspiration, our guide has 20 writing prompts and real examples to get you started.
How long should my letter be?
As long or as short as you like. A single sentence counts. So does five pages. Most people write somewhere between a paragraph and a page. The act of writing matters more than the word count.
Can I send a letter to someone else?
The service is designed for writing to yourself, but you can enter any email address. Some people send letters to friends, partners, or family members to arrive on a birthday or anniversary.
What happens when my letter is delivered?
Your letter arrives in your inbox as a normal email on the date you chose. Open it somewhere quiet and give yourself a few minutes — some letters make you laugh, some make you cry, and almost everyone writes another one straight after.
What if my email address changes before the letter arrives?
It's a good idea to use an email address you're likely to keep long-term. If you have a premium account, you can log in and update your email address or reschedule delivery at any time before the letter sends.
What do I get with a premium account?
Premium costs $9/year and gives you: unlimited letters, the ability to view all your scheduled letters, edit or delete letters before delivery, set custom send dates (including specific dates like birthdays and anniversaries), and schedule letters beyond the 5-year free limit.
Can teachers use this for classroom activities?
Absolutely. Teachers have been using Letter to My Future Self as a classroom activity for years — it's especially popular at the start or end of a school year. Students write a letter to their future selves and receive it months later. It's a simple, free activity that encourages reflection and self-awareness.
When is a good time to write a letter to your future self?
Any time works, but certain moments tend to create especially meaningful letters: New Year's Eve, your birthday, the start of a new job or school year, or after something significant happens in your life. Write while the feelings are fresh — you'll want to remember what it really felt like.
How long has this service been running?
Letter to My Future Self has been running since 2015. Over 160,000 people have used the service to send a letter to their future selves. We've been delivering letters reliably for over a decade.