Birthday Secrets

A four-year letter-writing ritual for your future self

Every year on my birthday, I write a letter to my future self.

There’s only one rule:

I can’t open the letter for 4 years.

I began this ritual in 2023, which means the first letter I get to read is next year, in 2027.

The practice is simple:

On your birthday, block out some time to sit down at your desk and write a letter. The container can be free-flowing, allowing you to write whatever’s on your mind, but there are also some topics that can help guide the process along, like these:

• Reflections on the past year + present

• Changes to make

• Goals for the future

• Fun & crazy predictions

The letters are so exciting to write, knowing you, four years in the future, are going to be reading them. It’s a low-time preference activity that your future self loves and craves — I am so curious to read my 2023 letter. It’s also a chance to reflect on and clear out the past year, opening up space for the year ahead.

I like to format the title like this:

“21st (January 6, 2027)”

That way I know which birthday it was when I wrote it (21st) and when I can open the letter (Jan 6, 2027).

You can do this with pen and paper or online, whatever you prefer.

Adopt if you wish! Your future self thanks you.