I wrote this letter to myself one year ago via the site FutureMe. It’s all about writing yourself a letter, and having it delivered at a later date. Until this morning, I had totally forgotten about this! It was a pleasant surprise to see this in my inbox.
(The following is an e-mail from the past, composed on Monday, January 23, 2006, and sent via FutureMe.org)
Dear Future Toni,
Has your temper improved? Are you more patient now? I sure hope so. I hope that you don’t raise your voice at your husband anymore nor do you roll your eyes or grunt.
Are you more fit now? Have you been watching what you eat? I sure hope so. You know how the bloodlines are. Gotta watch your weight.
Are you happy with work? Have you been promoted? I hope so. I also hope you’re still as passionate with your work or more passionate now. I hope you’re succeeding.
How are the finances? Are they improving? Much better I hope than today’s.
Are you pregnant yet? If not, do not despair. It’ll all happen in his time.
i don’t know how you are but I hope that whatever’s happening in your life now you are content and happy. The small things matter, do not forget that.
Love yourself too.
It was a great way to start my morning. The letter couldn’t have come at a better time. And so Past Toni, here’s my reply.
Yes, my temper has improved by leaps and bounds. When my husband and I have arguments, I know how to handle myself better. Closing my eyes and counting to 10, cliche as it may be, has indeed helped.
Yes, I’m more fit. I’ve cut out a lot of carbs from my diet (no rice since Jan. 1!) and I feel so much lighter. I just have to manage my food intake because I think I went a little bit overboard — while I did lose weight, today isn’t a good energy day. I’ll work it out.
Yes, I’m happy with work. Interesting that it should be asked at this point because of some new opportunities being sent my way. I believe my passion for creativity and strategic thinking is still present, and I’m glad the past year was a good one for my career.
Yes, finances have been improving. A lot had to do with a change in attitude and having more discipline. It was difficult in the beginning but I can see it’s paying off.
No, I’m not pregnant yet, nor am I in despair. I believe this year will be an abundant one, and that my husband and I are 99.9% ready for a child. We hope we will be blessed with one soon!
Ah, loving myself. That is a lesson I have been struggling with. How very timely that I should be reminded about this again though, as a good friend of mine gave me similar advice last night. Yes, I am slowly beginning to learn loving myself. This involves sitting back and not always leading, relaxing and not always planning. It is tough but I am enjoying giving myself a little rest from being too much in control.
Yes, the small things matter too. Yes, I am content and happy. I am blessed.
It’s nice to know that I have moved from where I was a year ago. The last thing I’d want to discover is that nothing has changed! It’s a nice way to gauge how different things are today.
I think I’ll write myself another letter for next year. 
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Alex
January 24, 2007 at 9:44 am (17 years ago)What an inspiration you are, Toni! I feel like writing a letter now! In fact, I feel like writing your letter because it is exactly where I am at the moment! Thank you. I always love reading your posts. Hope your 2007 is as fulfilling as 2006.
abby
January 24, 2007 at 10:23 am (17 years ago)oh wow. i love this, i just might do it myself. you’re so right, striving to continue to better ourselves and knowing in the end that you somehow improved becomes your very own milestone.
we deserve a pat in the back for the little achievements, don’t we?
anj
January 24, 2007 at 10:53 am (17 years ago)galing-galing naman girl.
am glad you are actualizing yourself more. and your joy is infectious those few times we are together. let’s pray for that baby. hehe! ;p
Toni
January 24, 2007 at 12:51 pm (17 years ago)Alex: I am glad to have inspired you! This letter was a surprising gauge of how much we’ve changed over a certain period. I didn’t expect it would come in the mail today, but I welcomed the reflection that followed. Thank you for continuing to read my blog and I wish you a wonderful ’07 too!
abby: Do try it, abs. It’s a really interesting exercise. And yes, the little achievements are worth celebrating too!
anj: Let’s pray together! 😉
may
January 24, 2007 at 1:52 pm (17 years ago)hi toni!
i just made a letter for myself after reading your post, i really like blog…
JO
January 24, 2007 at 2:58 pm (17 years ago)Hi Toni,
wow! truly an inspiration! i think i should do this too, not only for myself, but I should also write a letter for my kids to read in the future, probably on their next birthday.
thanks for always sharing a lot of good ideas in your blog!
Rachel
January 24, 2007 at 6:43 pm (17 years ago)Hi Ate Toni,
I really admire you. You’re such a great and sweet Toni. Ang swerte naman ng hubby mo, mga friends, family and specially ur parents. Ang galing naman nung letter mo hmm sana ganyan din ako kapositive mag-isip. May God bless you more coz you really deserve it. Godbless Ate. Be Happy ;p
Toni
January 24, 2007 at 6:57 pm (17 years ago)may: Thanks for dropping by again, May! And I hope that when your letter comes a year from now, you would have made progressed in your life’s path with your heart as your guide.
JO: Thank you! I’m happy you sought inspiration from this post. Writing a letter to your kids to read in the future sounds like a terrific idea. Writing one to yourself too is a good exercise. When your letter arrives from Future You, I hope by then you’ve accomplished more than what your heart desires.
Rachel: Awww Rachel, salamat sa comment. That really made me smile and feel good. *hugs* Hindi naman mahirap maging positive at optimistic! Just remember that it’s always about disposition. We choose how to handle things, and I tend to choose the mood that will give me the least wrinkles. Hahaha!
Linnor
January 24, 2007 at 11:18 pm (17 years ago)Great idea Toni! We may not necessarily feel it but when we look back, we sometimes realize that we’ve really evolved into a better and more mature (i don’t mean the age! heheh) person.
I like Jo’s idea too of writing to the kids… 😀
hazel
January 25, 2007 at 9:48 am (17 years ago)hey this is a very nice site.. a very good idea to have a little check and balance yearly.
i’m going to do one right now before i go home =D
Toni
January 25, 2007 at 2:10 pm (17 years ago)Linnor: Kahit one year lang pala ang nakalipas, ang laki na ring pagbabago ang nangyari pala. It feels good to have realized I changed positively within that period! Try mo rin to write
hazel: Check and balance is right! Enjoy your letter writing. Let it come from the heart and it won’t be wrong.
Michelle
January 25, 2007 at 8:13 pm (17 years ago)Hi Toni, thanks so much for visiting my blog
Loved this post, what a fantastic idea & your reply was wonderful!
barbara
January 25, 2007 at 9:03 pm (17 years ago)i came across a similar theme from the movie website of the lake house – i wrote a letter to myself.. i forgot when it was due to come to me – hopefully i’ll be as surprised as you did.
i’m also hoping that things i’ve written there will be answered in a positive note with the barbara i know of today.
thank you for this beautiful reminder.
rach
January 25, 2007 at 10:09 pm (17 years ago)Hi Toni. I agree with the others. This is another inspiring post and I’m excited to write a letter to my future self. How wonderful that you were able to answer your letter with positive notes. I’m sure it feels like a great accomplishment. Thank you for always coming up with the best, unique ideas.
Junnie
January 26, 2007 at 12:16 am (17 years ago)i used to write to myself too when i was younger. and both surprise and aghast are the feelings i have when i read ’em. kakatakot din kasi to find out that sometimes we were better off that time than we are now.
now i tried writing a check to myself. something that will pay off the expenses from last year and for investment in that particular point in time.
i did this last year and buti na lang hindi nag bounce
Daphne
January 26, 2007 at 1:14 am (17 years ago)What a difference a year makes.
Way to go Toni, glad to learn that you have more positive outcomes of your ‘concerns’ last year.
Meeyagirl
January 27, 2007 at 8:05 am (17 years ago)wow toni, wonderful! andami mo na naman na-inpire
may this new year bring you more blessings and more positive reflections 
eye
January 27, 2007 at 5:40 pm (17 years ago)good luck on your plan of building a family soon, they say that the year of the boar is a good year to give birth 😉 my temper has always been may #1 problem as well, and i’m frustrated that it has improved so little over the past year… still working very hard on it. your replies are all very inspiring
Kay
January 27, 2007 at 9:19 pm (17 years ago)I wrote myself one as well. I hope that I will be able to answer me one year from now in a moe positive note.
I hope you will be blessed with a child real soon. It really will change your life and give you the true definition of unconditional love.
Toni
January 30, 2007 at 9:55 am (17 years ago)Hi Kay! Thank you for hoping along with me!
eye: I hope they inspired you!
Thank you for wishing me luck on my plans. I hope this year will be a fruitful one for you too.
Thanks Meeya sis! Sayang di tayo nakapagmeet ano? Pero okay lang yan. Busy na busy talaga ang season ng Dec at early Jan! We will meet sometime.
Toni
January 30, 2007 at 9:59 am (17 years ago)Michelle: Do try it yourself too! It’s a wonderful exercise.
barbara: I hope that when your surprise comes, you’ll be ready with beautiful replies!
rach: Thanks for the kind words, dear. It’s a joy sharing with you guys the little pockets of inspirations I find online.
Junnie: Oh how I wish I had kept my diaries from when I was a kid! It would be interesting to see if I wrote to my future self. *L*
Daphne: No matter how small, a step forward is still a step forward to be proud of!