The lost art of letter writing

Dear Reader, 

Some time ago, I am not exactly sure when, we as a society stopped sending hand-written letters more frequently. Some have been saved for special occasions, but overall the personal touch of letters is dying. Technology, as much as it is a blessing, has driven us away from this much more intimate form of communication. I have never stopped loving letters, and I think we should start bringing them back. 

Letters have always been a way of communication for a variety of circumstances. Sending a letter used to be a stark reminder of the importance a person is to someone’s life. It forces the writer to slow down in their day, think of each pen stroke, and compose something that could be seen as extremely sensitive. The notion of actually writing a letter seems to be more bleak than it used to be. In the modern era, we frequently associate letter writing with sad circumstances. Receiving a letter brings in intense emotions, often hard to process externally. This could include the loss of a loved one, sending a message of love or longing to someone overseas, or what some call a “Dear John” breakup letter. 

Writing letters for yourself can be just as, if not more, important than sending one to someone else. For some, writing a letter is a form of therapy. It aids in getting out feelings that may be difficult to discuss out loud. It seemed when I was growing up that everyone wrote to themselves. All of the times I wrote “Dear Diary,” I ended up feeling better than I did before I opened the journal. Since I have grown, it has been both a joy and a pleasure going over what I wrote so long ago. The moments that seemed to be so huge and looming I can now look at and smile over. This process of reflection wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t pick up my pen and start writing. 

There is something to be said about writing “unsent letters.” These are letters you write to someone else but never get shared. If you think about the film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” the premise is very similar. These letters don’t have to have any sort of romantic intent, but it does feel better mentally telling someone something you needed them to hear. I have used this tactic for friendships, family situations, and yes even relationships. There is something so satisfying to me about writing a very personal message, knowing I flushed it out of my system. This won’t work for everyone, but it is something I highly encourage people to at least try. 

One of the most essential skills to have in life is writing. I was told a person could take themselves anywhere if their mind and pen were strong enough. It took me a while to piece together the actual message behind this, but once I understood it I never stopped writing. I wrote everything down; everything I want to remember or tell stories of one day now exists on lined pages in my notebook. Oftentimes, I add pictures of what I was describing, which makes my process much more rewarding to reflect on. It is partially due to this, however, that I believe the idea of being naturally good at writing is a false narrative spun by high and mighty English teachers. I have more confidence in my writing now, sure, but I associate this with my constant practice of it. I got lucky in that writing is something I tend to find joy in, but I did not come into this world immediately writing Shakespearean level prose. 

I understand the convenience of reaching out to someone and hearing a response within a few seconds. Believe me, there have been times when I either needed an immediate answer or needed to talk to someone in that specific moment about a situation. I believe letters are meant to serve a different purpose now. We should not be using them like we did 200 years ago. Back then, letters seemed to be sent and received hourly with general questions or invitations to dinners. 

In such a digital and desensitized world, letters bring back that spark of originality. They have the ability to show someone how much you care about them. You can hold on to them forever, looking back when you may need to. There is a drawer in my room full of important cards and letters I have acquired over the years. Knowing that drawer exists reminds me I have people that care about me. You never know how a letter or two will impact someone. It is such a personal and thought provoking form of communication that needs to make more of a return; it’s time to stop using them simply for dreary occasions. 

Letters are such a beautiful expression of feelings and emotion. We cannot let them die out. The act of letter writing itself encourages people to slow down in a faced paced world, crafting a considerate and personal message to the recipient. Personal care at such a deep level is something we fundamentally need. There’s more to letter writing than it being an out-dated hobby. It is an art of communication. 

Yours truly, 

The Letter Writer

• #connecting
• #letters
• #writing