A Letter to My Future Self: My Ritual for Closing Out the Decade

Hiya Gorgeous!

I released this blog at the end of 2019 to celebrate the closing of the decade with our incredible community. So many of you reached out to tell me how much you loved the article and writing your own letter… and if you’re landing here after the New Year or at any point in the future, it’s not too late! You can do this exercise at any time, in any phase of your life. It’s a wonderful way to reflect, practice gratitude and set powerful intentions for the future. I hope you decide to try it out. Mwah!

This isn’t just any old New Year’s Eve. Tonight marks the end of the decade! And when we wake up tomorrow (or before then if you’re partying into the wee hours ?), we’ll step into a brand spankin’ new chapter. Let that sink in. Are you as excited as I am?!

Your beautiful brain is likely swirling with inspiration and desires for 2020. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re thinking even further ahead to the next 10 years. Just the thought of what’s in store for you gives me the chills! You are bound for wonderful things.

Don’t worry if you haven’t had time to noodle on this yet. It’s also ok if you’re not sure what you want or have more ideas than you know what to do with (I can relate!). The ritual I’m about to share is designed to bring everything into focus, make your priorities crystal clear and set you up for the decade of your dreams.

We’re saying goodbye to the 2010s and welcoming the 2020s!

That’s a lot to cover, so as much as I love my annual year-end closing ceremony, it’s just not gonna cut it this year! Instead, I’m writing a letter to my future self.

I know it might sound a little silly at first, but bear with me—this exercise goes a lot deeper than you might think. It’s the kind of transformative, soul-shifting stuff that the ends and beginnings of decades deserve. If I’ve piqued your interest but you’re not sure where to begin, you’re in luck…

Today we’re going to walk through writing a letter to our future selves together, step-by-step. You’ll see exactly how it works and how it can set you up for success in the new decade. I’ll also share some examples from my own letter!

Here are some of the need-to-know details about this ritual before we dive in:

Address the letter to your 2030 self, from your present self. In the first part, we’ll cover 2010 to today (New Year’s Eve, 2019). This is where we’ll reflect on the past decade, everything we’re grateful for, what we’ve learned and how far we’ve come.

In the second section, we’ll focus on tomorrow (New Year’s Day, 2020) to the first day of 2030. This is where we let our imaginations run wild, set powerful intentions and choose who we want to be and how we want to feel in the years to come.

Ready to dig deep and lay the foundation for the best decade of your life? Grab your favorite writing implements and journal and find a spot where you’ll be comfy and undisturbed.

A Letter to My Future Self: My Decade-Closing Ceremony!

Before we write a single word, let’s get grounded. This letter can set the tone for your next 10 years, so choosing a positive mindset has never been more important! The truth is, while a lot of what happened in the past and will happen in the future is out of our control, what we can control is how we respond to it.

So check in with yourself occasionally as you write. What lens are you looking through? It’s ok if negative thoughts bubble up, just gently guide yourself in a more loving direction.

Part One: Looking Back Before You Look Ahead

I know you might be tempted to skip this step because you’re excited about the future, but hold up! Reflecting on the past is an essential part of creating what comes next. It provides meaningful perspective and solidifies lessons learned. It’s also a chance to pause and appreciate how incredibly far you’ve come.

This section of your letter is all about celebrating amazing, unstoppable YOU! Throw yourself a party. Mix up your favorite holiday mocktail and cozy up for a spiritual hug. Remind your future self about your wins. Tell her how much you grew—even when you felt stuck or lost. You tackled obstacles, worked your booty off and learned hard lessons. You didn’t just survive, you thrived.

Ask yourself: What did you learn? How have you changed? What are you proud of? What are you grateful for? Who did you leave behind? These are just ideas, so don’t feel like you have to answer all of the questions, or any of them for that matter! Focus on what’s important to you.

Here’s a little peek at this part of my letter to my future self:

In the past decade, I built my health, a house, a company. I helped my family through a trying time with my dad’s health. I grew as a person, a wife, daughter and leader. I also stumbled and scraped my knees a lot. But if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be positioned for a stronger decade ahead.

Part Two: Setting Intentions for Your Most Magical Decade

Now it’s time to look ahead to the next 10 years. Remember your positive mindset. Set aside limiting beliefs about what you aren’t capable of, and allow yourself to really dream about the possibilities. What would you do if you could do anything?

The questions from part one work here as well, just answer them from a different perspective. What will you learn in this decade and how will you change? What will you be proud of and grateful for? Who will you leave behind? And some ideas just for this section: How do you want to feel in this decade? What will you do and not do? What are your Big Sky Goals and how will you accomplish them? (By the way, My Results Journal is the perfect companion for all of your goal-getting adventures!)

This part of my letter to my future self will focus on freedom, which is my word for the next year. Emotional freedom, financial freedom, freedom from stress and self-doubt—freedom of every kind. I’ll weave this intention throughout the letter and let it guide my decisions for the decade.

Choosing a word or value that’s important to you can be a great jumping off point if you’re not sure where to start. Close your eyes for a moment and just breathe—what’s the first word that comes to mind? That’s your intuition speaking, let it lead the way.

One important tip: I encourage you to write this section in the present tense, like an affirmation. For example…

In this decade, I prioritize my health and happiness. I don’t beat myself up over things I can’t control, and I see mistakes as opportunities for growth.

Writing from this perspective puts you in a powerful manifesting mindset. Your beliefs play a big role in shaping your reality. Let this be a reminder that your potential is limitless, and anything is possible when you choose where to direct your energy.

Give your future self a gift! Make this your happiest, healthiest year ever.

Join my free 5-Day Self-Care Kickstart now to enjoy quick, daily reminders to practice self-care along with tools, tips and affirmations.! It’s amazing when something so simple can have such a monumental impact.

You’re ready to write your letter!

Don’t worry if you can’t do this today, take it for a spin when you’re ready. This is part of my New Year’s Eve ritual, but you might have other fun plans! Just don’t wait too long because you have a unique perspective right now—you’re standing in the threshold between decades, closing the door on one and stepping into another. Take advantage of that!

How much time you spend on your letter to your future self is up to you. But remember that you’re covering 20 years in total, so don’t rush it. You may even want to set aside time for multiple sessions. Taking breaks can make space for new insights to surface.

Most importantly, this shouldn’t feel like work. If it does, pause. Try a different approach or format (draw, write a list, make a mood board, etc.), whatever you need to shake things up. The suggestions I’ve offered today are just ideas, not a fixed template. Above all, have fun! Relish who you are and who you’re becoming.

Tuck your letter somewhere safe and refer back to it whenever you need a reminder of where you’ve been and where you’re headed. And remember to be gentle—getting where we want to go is rarely a straight path! You’ll encounter twists and turns, and probably change directions more than once. That’s part of the journey, so don’t forget to stop and enjoy it. Your future self will thank you.

Happy new year and new decade, dear one. I am so grateful for you!

Your turn: What’s ONE thing you’d like to say to your future self? If you’re moved to, please share in the comments below!

Peace & new beginnings,