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Wellness

The Unspoken Art of Letter-Writing

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BU chapter.

Often in life, we find ourselves unable to put into words the emotions we are feeling. Love, sadness, happiness, ecstasy, desire, anger, and a million other sensations swirl around our brains in peak moments of joy and despair. I know how overwhelming the human mind can be, and I’ve found that writing is the cure to overthinking. 

When I feel something, I really feel it. The joy I receive from a good laugh with a friend lights my heart with warmth for the rest of the day. A particularly romantic day with my boyfriend makes my heart burst with love and affection. For better or for worse, the dark emotions fill my brain in the same manner. A bout of homesickness leaves me feeling drained and fatigued. Getting into an argument with a friend makes me jittery, disappointed, and guilty. 

Photo by freestocks.org from Pexels
In order to process these emotions, I write letters. As emotions (both positive and negative) tangle the wires of my mind, I sit down and put pen to paper. You will be amazed at how letting your feelings flow onto the page makes you feel. It’s a truly gratifying, calming sensation. 

Writing letters to the people that trigger, support, or muddle your emotions is a fantastic way to sort them out. Moreover, writing letters to those you love, miss, or want to make up with is the perfect way to make your feelings known.

A thought-out, sincere letter can calm nerves, dissuade anger, and make a heart bloom with love. In a letter, you can tell your lover every aspect of them that makes you smile. You can wipe away tears, spark a grin, and initiate laughter. In a letter, every word is clear. Every thought is defined. Every emotion is present. 

Opened Paper Notebook
Photo by Marco Verch distributed under a CC BY 2.0 license
This fall is the perfect time to practice your letter-writing skills. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, we all have people we miss more than we can properly express. Whether you want to write to your parents back home or your friends halfway across the country, a letter is the perfect way to let someone know that you’re sending them a bit of extra love. Yes, a text message is faster. But a letter is infinitely more meaningful. 

Take the time this week to send a loved one a letter. Share the warmth and let your feelings be known — you won’t regret it. 

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Amille is a senior at Boston University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English. Her passions include travel, cooking, and creative writing; when she isn't testing new recipes and working on her first novel, she's spending time with pets and making memories with family.