No.157
A Letter to My Future Self
Japanese name: 未来の自分へ手紙
Materials
- Paper and an envelope per person
- Drawing materials
- One LED candle for the centre
How to play
- An adult switches on the central LED. Each participant chooses when to open their letter, such as one week later. Hand out paper and envelopes. Explain that the letter is a private record, not for presentation or grading. Keep the room lights on.
- Write about one event from today you want to remember. Add your current feelings or a question for your future self if you wish. A short sentence or picture is enough.
- Reread your letter, place it in the envelope, and seal it. Write your name and opening date on the front. You do not have to show the contents to an adult.
- Decide whether to take it home yourself or have an agreed person keep it until the opening date. If someone stores it, agree when and how it will be returned; do not pass it to anyone else.
- Once all letters are put away, quietly look at the central LED. Restore room lighting and have an adult switch it off to finish. If your ideas have changed when you open the letter, treat that as something to explore rather than a failure.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: put a drawing in an envelope. Younger primary school children: use one sentence and a picture. Older primary school children and adults: include questions or observations.