Letters to My Future Self

The start of the school year has once again arrived, which means first day of school photos, backpacks, school supplies, and an opportunity to think about new traditions. For kids, their years do not start on January 1, but on the first day of school, and I take this chance to talk to my rascals about their new goals and dreams. This year, we’re starting a new tradition of writing “Letters to My Future Self.”

Every year I see “My First Day of…” pictures cross social media streams and I am excited about what that year could mean for each child. It’s a fresh start and an opportunity for them to dream big and cling to the hope that come with something “new.”

Personally, I’ve always loved the start of the academic year: fresh school supplies, connections with old friends, and, as someone who works in higher education, an opportunity to reset my own goals and dreams as well.

This year, I wanted my son to be able to experience the excitement of a fresh start and decided we would introduce a new tradition. I asked him to write a letter to his future self in hopes it would help him:

Create a goal
Practice self-reflection
Express his thoughts in writing
Have a tangible reminder at the end of the year
And because it’s darn cute to save as a keepsake

I prompted him to write the answers to two questions:

What is one new thing you want to do in this upcoming school year?
What is something you want to remember about yourself?

AJ is 6, so if you have younger kids, you can also have them draw their ideas, explain their drawing(s), and then you can help them fill in the words.

My rascal wrote, “love mom” and “have fun” in his letter. He also drew a picture of us together.

This was such a sweet moment, and it didn’t take very long at all. Now, AJ and I have not only a written memory, but a moment that we can share and relive all year long.

We love YayMail’s DIY stationery kits (below). It comes with everything you need and clear step-by-step instructions. Bonus fun: you can fold these with your little rascals. We folded ours into little ships.

You can also purchase these lego pens and letter set to begin your own school year tradition.