You Have One Message from the Past

Writing letters may seem like an old-fashioned activity to many, but it holds a special charm for those who enjoy the art of sending and receiving heartfelt messages. Whether you’re someone who finds excitement in this tradition or simply appreciate the nostalgia of the past, there’s a unique way to surprise yourself: write letters to your future self.

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Back in 2014, I stumbled across “FutureMe”, a platform that allows you to send an email to your future self and receive it exactly one year later. It was a delightful discovery and I eagerly embraced this novel approach to letter writing. Over time, I learned that FutureMe also has a website and applications, but I preferred to keep things old-fashioned by sticking to email.

Looking back, I vividly remember the excitement of receiving my first letter in 2015, triggered by an unexpected email reminder. Despite the significant changes that had taken place in my life over the course of the year, reading that letter was an immense pleasure. It was a poignant reminder of the moments and experiences that had shaped my journey. In fact, I had just re-read all the letters I had sent to my future self, and the changes in my life had once again amazed me.

Keeping a diary is undoubtedly valuable for recording daily and weekly events, but it may not always provide a comprehensive perspective on the broader journey of life. The detailed entries may not have the same impact as a review of a year’s progress. Writing a letter to your future self forces you to reflect on the significant events and emotions that have shaped your life during this time. This process of selection and reflection allows you to see the stark contrasts and growth more clearly, providing a deeper understanding of your journey through time.

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In such situations, I often share a saying with my friends: “A person’s life changes at least once every six months, no matter what”. Over the years, this statement has proven to be absolutely true in my life. It doesn’t even seem to take a full year for a significant change to occur; it’s as if every six months provides a perfect period for change.

But when I look back at the letters I wrote to my future self, I notice something about myself. In the middle of writing those letters, I found myself caught up in the emotions of the moment, be it sadness or happiness. It felt like I couldn’t see things from a wider perspective and my emotions were strongly influencing my words. As a result, my writings often revolved around specific events that later changed. While it was valuable to embrace the ever-changing experiences that life offers, I couldn’t help but wonder if some aspects of my life could have been more stable. I noticed this pattern of undisciplined reflection on certain themes year after year. On the other hand, I noticed that my words grew longer with each passing year. There was so much to talk about as my life seemed to become busier and more eventful. I found myself smiling at the realisation that I was constantly adding new experiences to my life’s collection.

In the context of these observations, I remain committed to writing this letter to my future self every year. I encourage you to try it for yourself. Regardless of the feelings you experience on receiving the letter, you’ll realise that life continues its journey and we are but ripples in the stream, carried by the flow of time. These letters become a tangible reminder of the ever-changing nature of life, urging us to cherish each moment and embrace the journey we’re on.

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