Write a letter to the future
It's pretty simple.
Step One
Write a letter. It can be as short or as long as you want. It can be to someone else or yourself. You can even include a photo.
Step Two
Choose the date you want the letter to be delivered to the recipient. This could be tomorrow or in a few years—your choice!
Step Three
That's it! Everything else is automated. So, sit back, relax, and read letters by other people. Or, you can support the site.
Is it really free?
Yes. Future Postbox is completely free—it's a side hobby of The Postman who runs the site. That said, the site does cost money to run and The Postman has some lofty dreams of where it could all go:
· Imagine being able to send messages based on geography, temperature, or factors other than just time!
· Imagine sending different types of media: Videos, documents, voice messages, and more!
· Imagine having your own app and account where you can keep track of all the letters you've sent and received!
Perhaps one day, but that all costs money and The Postman is a volunteer. If you'd like to support the site visit Future Postbox's support page.
What do you write?
Whatever you like! People use Future Postbox for lots of different reasons. Some use it as a time capsule of thoughts and feelings, some use it as a way to set or track goals, some use it to say the things that are too hard to say face-to-face, and others use it as a daily journal. If you're after more inspiration, you can read letters others have written. NB: There are some limitations on explicit content (see below).
Are there any limits on content?
Future Postbox is a place of love and good vibes.
· The Postman will not tolerate any form of cyber bullying, trolling, or illegal activity.
· Future Postbox cannot host any form of pornographic imagery.
· Letters may be screened and The Postman reserves the right not to send, delete, or forward your letter to any relevant authorities.
· Anyone under the age of 18 should seek permission to use Future Postbox from their parent or guardian.
· Please refer to the Data and Privacy Policy for more information.
Is it automated?
Yes! As of October 2023, Future Postbox is now completely automated. In the past, The Postman manually sent every letter. This was not only tedious but resulted in some occasional issues with consistency of delivery (The Postman apologises to anyone affected). So, the service should now be a lot more reliable! Oh, you may wish to add the email address thepostman@futurepostbox.com to your safe senders to avoid messages going to spam.
What's the difference in privacy options?
· If you select "This letter can be public", your letter can be read by others via the read page. If you've made your letter public, but later change your mind, send an email to The Postman with your details and it will be removed from the public page.
· If you select "Keep this letter private", then it will only be sent to the intended recipient.
What does The Postman do with your data?
The Postman is extremely cautious with your data. Primarily, it's used to:
· Get the letter to where it needs to go.
· Provide you (extremely infrequent) updates about Future Postbox.
For more information, please read Future Postbox's full Privacy Policy.
A glimpse at what other people have written.
February 28, 2014
From:
Ski Greenidge
To:
Ski Greenidge
Date to be sent:
February 28, 2015
Dear Ski, I hope that when you read this letter you are a better you. I hope that all your dreams are fulfilled- that you finished your degree and got as close to upper seconds honours as you could, that you made peace with your past and forgave yourself for your mistakes in general and with men especially, that you became the Christian that you wanted to be and that you discovered your dream job. You have been so hard on yourself and I hope that now you have discovered what it truly means to love yourself. You can do it! You are so strong and you deserve to be happy. Achieve your dreams. Love always, S.
February 20, 2015
From:
Dannielle Brown
To:
Dannielle Brown
Date to be sent:
February 20, 2016
Dear me, This time round you are a month late in responding to yourself, now that is saying something about us prioritizing ourselves! However, recalling our reaction when we received this letter, it was as previously "a shock", but a welcomed one. So, back then we were eagerly "chomping" on our toast before heading to Vans Warped Tour. Today is very different but some familiar experiences are coming up. That being in a few days you will be seeing the Foo Fighters and Rise Against with Dad, Tyson and Chelsea then on the weekend is Soundwave! Guess who is playing, New Found Glory (again), Tonight Alive (again) and so so many more! KEEN AS MUSTARD! So, those changes hey? Well remember that degree you went on about in your last two letters? That is done and dusted! Welcome to the life of being a qualified Social Worker baby! That was completed in December 2014, finished with second division honors class b, which I still don't get but you did above average! So what, you finished your degree, right? WRONG! You also got a job out of your last placement at headspace. Recall being at the QLD Youth Forum in 2011, 'No Access Makes Me Mental', that place they were talking about, you work for as the Intake worker and a Case Coordinator. Those days of slumming it at Outback Jacks or any hospitality joint is behind you! PS Outback Jacks was a laugh, but instead of judging those you worked with, the real lesson was that it was not the job for you. Now this job comes with it's challenges, at the start of the year it did seem all roses and sunshine until some major changes came but it happened so there is no point dwelling on what could have been. You are being challenged to develop the skills and knowledge you need to go wherever it will be in a year, or whenever. You will concur the clinical world. Love? Last year you asked a boy out, *giggles*, you were most respectfully rejected and 'friend zoned'. The disappointing thing is that you have let that impact you more than you should have. Since then you have slowly crept out of the hole and put the social wings back on, as a result the hastag #dannibangs may have caught on with some friends that are very welcoming and understanding to the wicked ways of my mind. But yes, you did start the year off with a bang and have trialled out the online dating (again) and well it has been interesting to say the least. One in particular is a a guy from Sydney, who you've opened up to more than you have to anyone previously. Whether it's the distance that makes me feel more comfortable, that I feel heard or that your ready to open up to someone and move past, the past. The rains are out in force and the football club has flooded again but you are happy. You still try to carry the weight of the world on your shoulder and please everyone but slowly your doing things for yourself and experimenting more with life! You are questioning our mental health lately but I believe it is adapting to vast changes we are going through. It is ok to be nervous but dammit we deserve to live on! PS You should have your license by the time you read this! Love yourself! x
