A message in a bottle letter, written for whoever opens it
Written by hand · Sealed with wax · Sent as one link
A message in a bottle works because the writer can't be sure who will read it or when, so the letter has to explain itself: who you are, where you are, what day it is. Write it that way and it will feel like a small discovery, whether it's for a partner, a party guest, a stranger or yourself in a year.
Free · No sign-up needed · Sent as a link
Ways to begin
“If you're reading this, I finally got up the nerve to send it. I've been meaning to tell you something since the summer.”
“Hello, whoever you are. It's a Tuesday evening in March, it's raining, and I'm writing this at my kitchen table with a cup of tea going cold.”
“Dear me, a year from now. Right now I'm unsure about the job, the move and most of what I've planned, and I want you to know how that feels.”
What to write
1. Put the date, the place and one small detail of the moment in the first lines: the weather, the song playing, what's on your desk. That is what makes it feel like it was found.
2. End with a question or a small task, such as 'tell me your favorite street in your town' or 'check whether you still like this song'. It gives the reader a reason to answer or act.
3. If it's for a stranger, leave out your full name, address and workplace. Share only what you'd say to someone you met once on a train. If it's for the future, write down what you'd most want to be reminded of, not predictions.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What do I write in a message in a bottle?
Start with who and when you are: your first name or a nickname, the date and where you're writing from. Then share one true thing, such as a memory, a worry, a hope or a confession, and close with a question or a wish for the reader. Short is better than long, because the mystery does half the work.
Q. Can I make the letter open on a certain date, like a message to the future?
Yes. Write and seal the letter, then set an opening date. It unlocks at 00:00 on that day, and until then it stays sealed. You can add a password if you want only the people you tell to open it. Writing, sealing and sending are free, and the recipient only needs a browser, with no app and no sign-up.