We all have those things we want to achieve in our own life, and we all sometimes struggle with how to get from here to there. If this sounds like you, a letter to the universe is a powerful tool to set you on the path of achieving those deepest desires.
Whether your goals center around money, career, relationships, or something else, letters to the universe can be absolute magic. They harness your internal wisdom and the universe’s power to help you get from where you are to where you need to go.
This article will spill the beans on what a letter to the universe is, whether they work (yes – based on my own personal experience!), and a step-by-step guide so you can get started writing a letter to manifest your desires.
What is a Letter to the Universe?
A letter to the universe is a letter in which you write your intentions and what you want in life to a higher power.
It’s all about letting your manifestations go, and putting it out there, instead of trying to control the outcome.
However, the idea of the letter is that it’s a tool and path for your manifestations to reach you.
Does Writing to the Universe Actually Work?
Based on my own personal experience, letters to the universe do indeed work, and it’s kind of like scripting manifestation.
Let me tell you about a letter I wrote and what the result was. At the time, I didn’t even know that’s what I was doing!
It was 2020, at the beginning of the Covid lockdowns. I was jobless, and my mental health was spiralling.
I was absorbed in all my life choices and anxious feelings, ‘What if I’d done this degree instead of that one? What if I’d been braver, more clever, and more driven?’
It wasn’t healthy, and I wanted to create a reality where I was happy and living my best life.
So, I decided to write a letter to my future self to focus my goals and desires, and put what I wanted in life out into the universe.
I told myself I was a freelance writer. Then I visualized writing on a rose gold laptop and meeting a friend for coffee after submitting a piece of work. Finally, I imagined myself wearing a yellow dress and feeling happy, lighthearted, and grateful.
My letter wasn’t just about freelance writing, having enough money, and my career goals.
It was about how that career choice positively affected my entire life.
I dated the letter to open in a year.
And you know what? I did it.
I’ll admit I was a little ambitious, and it took a year and six months, but I remembered writing that letter, so it was always in the back of my mind. Although it wasn’t exactly on that time scale, I kept going until I manifested both the big and small details into reality.
So, in my opinion? Yes, letters to the universe do work, as long as you’re realistic about your desires and what you expect, and mindful when writing the letter.
I’ll tell you how you can do just that.
7 Steps to Writing a Letter to the Universe in Your Journal
Set the Scene – Don’t Skip This Step! (It Takes 2 Minutes)
If you are serious about asking the universe for what you need, then create a magical, hygge space to write before you even start the letter. This process helps you be more intentional with your words and manifesting, and you’ll vividly remember writing them. The memories you remember are connected with powerful emotions, so make this one of them.
Take a couple of minutes
Go to a quiet space and set out things that bring you peace and joy, like candles, calm music, and a comfortable seat. Then choose the stationery you want to use to write the letter.
Whenever I pick out a new journal, I’m intentional about it. I think about what I need right now, what colors draw me, and whether I want something plain or patterned. I let my gut decide for me.
The same goes for your letter to the universe. Select what you will write it on and what paper you will use.
It doesn’t have to be parchment and a quill (mine was on some lined paper from a notepad), but I chose fresh and clean, uncrumpled paper in good condition that inspired me to begin a new letter.
Step 1: Dear Universe (Greet the Universe)
Just like any letter, you need to address it to the right person, entity, thing…you know what I mean.
The idea is that you are directing your inner thoughts, energy, and intentions toward something. You wouldn’t write a letter to someone without anyone in mind, then post it without a name and address. It wouldn’t get anywhere – and the same goes for your letter to the universe.
A simple way to start is to write, ‘Dear Universe,’ as well as dating the letter, as you would for a normal letter to a friend.
Easy, right?
Step 2: Talk About Your Current Situation
What’s happening right now, and how are you feeling?
For example, ‘Dear Universe, me and my partner just broke up. I feel devastated. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel good again, and I don’t know what to do.’
You need to acknowledge where you are at this moment. Much like a brain dump, this helps process those feelings, setting the stage for you to move forward.
Step 3: Word Vomit the Reasons Why You’re Writing the Letter
One thing I always do is be totally honest with the universe – I’m talking about true transparency with thoughts, fears, desires, etc.
I don’t find it particularly helpful to say, ‘I’m going to achieve this, and it’s going to be awesome,’ if I’m in a bad state of mind. I need to address how I feel before I can attract the things I want.
For instance, ‘I don’t like where I am. I feel directionless – you know? What do I want to do in life? It’s all so confusing. I want to feel confident, but I just don’t. I’m utterly lost, but I don’t want to be this way anymore.’
You don’t have to do this step, but I find it helps air out all your worries and fears. It’s an expansion of talking about your current situation, and you can go into as much detail as you want.
Step 4: Make Your Request and Tell the Universe Exactly What You Want
Don’t hold back on this step.
Telling the universe what you’re after is like having a specific present in mind that you want for Christmas.
Maybe you want a red bike with a lightning stripe, eleven gears, and comfy handlebars.
But instead of writing “red bike with a lightning stripe, eleven gears, and comfy handlebars” on the Christmas list, you write, “bike.”
When you don’t get what you want, you feel disappointed.
But is it the fault of the person who gave you the gift?’ No. You just weren’t specific enough.
Write a few sentences about what you want, in as much detail as you can. It doesn’t matter how you write it – paragraphs, bullet points, or even with doodles – but you need to be specific.
Don’t Forget, You’re Talking to Yourself.
Although you’re talking to the universe, you must remember that you’re also addressing yourself (your higher self).
Once you’ve explained where you are now, and what you want, switch the way you write, so you’re either: 1) chatting to future you, or 2) as if you’re already living the dream.
For example, you might write to your future self, ‘I’m so proud of you for moving to Berlin. It’s so beautiful there, and I know you’re happy. You also got that job in the city’s oldest book shop, which is amazing!’
Or you can write as if you’re already living your dream life, e.g., ‘I am in Berlin, and it’s so beautiful here. I’m so happy working in the city’s oldest bookshop. It’s incredible!’
In both examples, you’re expressing enthusiasm while stating exactly where you are, what you’re doing, and how it feels when you’ve achieved your dreams.
The important thing is to go with the flow and let the words pour out of you, and into your letter.
Step 5: Be Open to Receiving What You Manifest
If you don’t believe it, it’s not going to happen. Simple as that.
There’s no point writing the letter and then going about your day constantly thinking, ‘It won’t come true.’
If you don’t believe it will happen, then what you’re really saying is you don’t believe in yourself.
Start to be aware, keep an eye out for things that will take you in the right direction, and look for a sign to point you in the right direction. Some things will manifest exactly how you imagined, but others won’t, and you need to prepare for that.
Sometimes you won’t be handed what you asked for on a plate, but you’ll be gifted an amazing opportunity to get it.
However, if you don’t have the right mindset and energy, you won’t take the chance when it comes along.
You must be open to receiving whatever comes your way in whatever form and trust the process, and that your manifestation goal is coming true.
Step 6: Tell Yourself How You’re Going to Achieve Your Manifestation, And How Easy it Was
It’s all very well and good talking about how rich you are, but you need to understand how you got rich. The universe (or your highest self) will guide you, but you also need to guide yourself.
An example is, ‘It was incredible that you applied for the job in marketing even though you were worried about being under-qualified. But you weren’t! Okay…maybe a little, but it paid off big time. I know you had some self-doubts about getting there, but you took a breath and carried on anyway. Now, look where you are! It wasn’t as hard as you thought it would be, and it is a fantastic achievement.’
I’m acknowledging the hard parts and how I got through them. It’s based on realistic expectations, knowledge, experience, and my current belief system.
Step 7: Sign off with Gratitude
Whenever you’re talking to the universe, gratitude plays a key role. It shows appreciation for the opportunities, so you don’t take advantage of what you have in life. It also sends out positive energy, which invites positive energy and positive emotions back to you.
What to Do When You’ve Finished Writing Your Letter
After you’ve completed your letter to the universe, you need to let it go.
That doesn’t mean forgetting about it but allowing the manifestation to take its course.
You can burn it to release your intentions, or keep it somewhere safe.
I kept mine in a drawer, read it one year later, and then put it back until I achieved everything I wrote down.
A Letter to the Universe Guides Your Future Self
If you need more direction and positive support, writing a letter in your journal is the perfect place to start. Create a magical space, show honesty about where you are now, be direct about your goals, and express gratitude.
Happy letter writing!
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