Writing to yourself in the future is an original way to reflect on your current life, as well as set personal goals for the future. For all its simplicity, take it seriously to get the most out of it. Try to think about ideas beforehand, write the letter and keep it in a place where you can easily find it in a few years.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Assess Yourself at the Moment
Step 1. Choose your age
First, decide at what age you should reread your letter. You might want to go back to it at 18, 25, or 30. Choose your age to determine the goals you need to achieve by this point.
For example, you may want to choose the age at which you will find yourself in different circumstances. If you have just entered high school and decide to read the letter at the university, you will notice what changes have occurred in your life during this time, whether your plans have been realized
Step 2. Use a conversational style
You are writing a letter to yourself, so there is no need for formal style. Imagine that you are talking to your best friend.
You can call your present self "I", and yourself in the future - "you"
Step 3. Summarize your current life
At the beginning of the letter, describe yourself in the present moment. List your recent accomplishments, such as your grade point average in school, and current interests, including hobbies and interests. In the future, it will be easier to understand how much you have changed over the years.
Step 4. Describe your fears
Share your fears, such as being afraid to speak in public, leaving school, or failing your university entrance exams. Over the years, you will find out how much you dealt with them. You can also decide that you shouldn't be so afraid, or come up with a plan to get rid of your fears.
Step 5. List your core values and beliefs
Think about what drives you right now. Your belief system (religious or civil) and personal code of ethics greatly influence your actions. Understand your values to get an accurate idea of who you want to become in the future.
If you are a religious person, please provide information about the church, or describe values such as the ability to accept different manifestations or lack of faith. What are the moral principles that guide you (do good or help those in need)
Step 6. Describe your skills and abilities
Choose the skills and abilities that characterize you at the moment (for example, tennis, the ability to march, or write essays for the school newspaper). You may be well versed in literature or mathematics. This information will help you determine your goals for the future.
Step 7. Define your goals and aspirations
Write about what is important to you now (student football league or prestigious university). Also choose your goals for the future - a trip to Europe, a job in a newspaper or a big concert for your band.
Part 2 of 3: Reach Your Future Self
Step 1. Select to stop, continue and start
For example, you want to stop fighting with your sister or biting your nails. Perhaps you want to keep going to church every week or study well. You probably want to volunteer or join a gym. All these goals should be indicated in the letter in order to find out in the future how much you have succeeded in realizing your aspirations.
Step 2. Give yourself advice
Think about what advice you can give yourself in the future. Your advice can be simple or complex: “be nice to your mom,” “invest in stocks,” “go to church every weekend,” “worry less about trifles,” “take your studies seriously,” or “save money for a car” …Identify your current weaknesses so that your advice for the future will be useful.
Step 3. Ask yourself questions
These questions right now will make you think about what you need to do to achieve your goals. In the future, you will be able to evaluate your actions, which caused your failures and achievements. Ask yourself:
- Do you love your job?
- How do you relax?
- Who is the most important person in your life for you?
- What is your relationship with your parents? How do you feel about each other?
- What aspect of your life would you like to change?
Part 3 of 3: Seal and Save the Letter
Step 1. Seal the letter
Let go of the temptation to read the letter ahead of time. Seal it in an envelope or tape it up. This will make it easier for you to save the letter, especially if it has to last 10-20 years. A computer document can be archived or moved to a special folder where it will wait in the wings.
Step 2. Save the letter in a safe place
If you want to write or print a letter on paper, then it should be kept in an accessible place that will be protected from external influences. In order not to forget the location of the letter, you can write yourself a reminder or a hint. You can store the letter in a special box or place it in a time capsule.
If you keep a diary, you can write a letter right in the diary and label the page or place a separate sheet between the pages of the diary
Step 3. Use modern technology
Find an app, website, or phone app that lets you send a message in the future. It should be understood that this option is better suited for short-term letters, since in the distant future such a program or site may already disappear.