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Write a letter to
YOUR FUTURE SELF
EVER WISHED YOU COULD TRAVEL THROUGH TIME? THIS CREATIVE
EXERCISE IS ALL ABOUT PACKAGING UP THE PRESENT AND OFFERING IT
AS A GIFT TO YOUR FUTURE SELF IN YEARS TO COME.
By reflecting on what matters most to you now and on your goals for the future, you can be your own time-
travelling life coach. How are you feeling about your life right now? What would you like to change and why?
What do you want to say to your future self, and what are you hoping to have learnt by the time you open this
letter in five, ten or twenty years from now? Spend a while collecting your thoughts, then write them on our
easy-to-use cut-out sheet, fold neatly and store them safely until your chosen opening date.
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Dear..............................................
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TIPS FOR WRITING
YOUR LETTER
Decide on the age you want to be when you
open the letter, then choose a significant date.
This will help you to set relevant goals and to focus
PACKAGING UP THE PRESENT your comments.
Begin by addressing your future self as you would a close friend
whom you haven’t seen for a long while: ask how they are – have Use ‘I’ when writing about your current self and address your
the years been kind and what have they been up to? Explain that future self as ‘you’. Write in an easy, relaxed style and have fun
you are writing this letter to offer encouragement and inspiration. with it. You could include a photo of yourself, along with a
Write about your life now: how old are you, what is a typical day poem or song lyrics that inspire you, or even a favourite recipe.
like and where do you live? What are you grateful for? Consider
the people and activities that bring you joy, and comment on your Need inspiration? Ask a teacher, friend or family member what
interests, talents and beliefs. What are you proud of? What is the they consider to be your best qualities. A grandparent or older
biggest obstacle you have overcome in your life so far and how did person can also be useful in helping you to reflect on what is
it feel to make a breakthrough? Who do you admire and respect, really important in life, after all they’ve had plenty of time to
and why? Also reflect on your fears and concerns, both personal ponder on it.
and global. What would you like to change about yourself and the
world around you?
Help your future self to re-live special memories by vividly
explaining a couple of positive experiences in your life now, using SEND AND RECEIVE
all your senses to bring the moments you want to treasure alive – Once you have finished your
describe what you can see, hear, touch, taste and smell. letter, pop it in an envelope,
seal it and write the following
USE OUR
on the front: CUT-OUT
FRAMING YOUR FUTURE SHEET
TO WRITE
What are your hopes and fears for the future, and what do you (Your name) AND
STORE YO
want to have achieved by the time your future self opens this UR
letter? Set some goals – small and large – based on your talents and A letter to my future self, not to LETTER
interests. Perhaps you want to reach a certain point in your career, be opened until...
to travel the world, to have a long-term relationship and children, {INSERT CHOSEN AGE
or to do something wildly different and unusual with your life. AND DATE}
It is worth asking yourself why these goals are important to you
and to set some that relate to how you want to feel, as well as Put the letter somewhere safe. You could place it in a secure file or
WORDS: SALLY TURNER. ILLUSTRATIONS: SHUTTERSTOCK.
what you want to achieve. What kind of person do you want to folder, where you plan on keeping important personal items – such
become and what values do you consider to be most important – as your mobile phone information, passport and bank details – as
kindness, patience, forgiveness, loyalty? you get older. You might also consider scanning or photographing
Remember that life can often be a roller coaster of twists and the letter and storing it online using cloud storage, so that you
turns, and it may be that on letter-opening day your future self can access it in the future from any device. Don’t be tempted to
is heading into a bend. Write down any words of comfort and open the file earlier than planned, though, and make sure you don’t
encouragement you could offer if life has taken an unexpected delete it by mistake. Using a digital calendar or note-taking app is
turn. Think about your strengths and positive qualities now and another way of creating a digital reminder, or you could use a letter-
remind your future self about drawing on these to stay strong. writing website such as www.futureme.org, which will send you
Offer advice and ask a few key questions. What have they put off your digital letter on your chosen date (as long as you remember to
doing that would make them happy? Who do they need to forgive keep the same email address).
in order to move forward? What life lessons have they learned and It’s more fun, though, to open a paper version, written in your own
how will they use their experiences to change and grow? handwriting that will instantly transport you back in time…
For more engaging resource sheets, lesson plans and mindful activities, 3
visit www.TeenKIT.com.au or email hello@teenkit.com.au
