Why Penpals are Making a Comeback (and Why You Should Get One, Too!)
Before the invention of the internet, phones, or even the telegram, the way people kept in touch across long distances looked different than it does today.
For instance, prominent authors C.S. Lewis and Tolkien exchanged letters for over 10 years. George Orwell regularly sent letters to family, friends and influential figures.
A collection of 650 letters exchanged between the Van Gogh brothers, Vincent and Theo, is preserved and frequently showcased in museums.
At the age of 11, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt corresponded with political leaders and notable writers to request their autographs for her collection. She even continued letter-writing throughout her life, corresponding with airmen during World War II to gain insight from their first-hand experiences.
Back then, every letter had to count, prompting individuals to pour out their deepest desires, persistent worries and profound insights, aiming to convey as much as possible to their recipients.
The trend of matching penpals picked up in the 1930s when the first organized pen pal notion began with the founding of societies like the Student Letter Exchange, where students from all over the world were paired with each other to exchange letters. These relationships have often been used to improve literacy, to learn more about other countries and lifestyles and to make friendships.
School was where I was introduced to the concept of ‘pen pals’ as well. I was 10 years old when my teacher connected our class with another fourth-grade class across the ocean in Israel. We communicated as a group, sending slideshow presentations and occasionally writing letters and cards to this class.
It wasn’t until a few years later that I decided I wanted to write handwritten letters again in 2020 to my friends during quarantine, and I’ve since picked it back up now in college to talk to friends who attend school in different states.
So, are Pen Pals making a comeback?
I think they should! There are many great benefits to having one…
Traditionally, the idea of a pen pal was when two people communicated to each other via handwritten letters. However, in more modern times, the definition has expanded to fit the digital age of email, Instagram and even websites specifically designed for matching penpals.
For me, letter writing started as a nice way to keep in touch with my friends that I hadn’t seen in person for awhile.
Most of the time, a pen pal is someone who lives far away from you, whether this be a family member, friend or even a complete stranger! A pen pal can be literally anyone that lives anywhere.
For instance, are you thinking of traveling abroad? Connecting with a native speaker is an excellent way to expose yourself to the culture and language of the country!
However, if you decide to become pen pals with a stranger, I recommend talking for a good amount of time online first, maybe through a pen pal-specific website, before giving out your address to anyone. Be careful, and make sure that they are a real person first. This could mean sharing photos or an Instagram handle just to have some proof.
If you are writing to someone for the first time, you may be unsure what to include in your early letters to get to know your new pen pal.
Start off casually. Introduce yourself with your name, age, where you live and talk about your hobbies and interests. Ask them questions, too. If the two of you click, the conversation will just flow!
You can also have fun decorating your letter or envelope. Something I like to include in mine are little drawings or polaroids, for example.
There is also the decision to communicate through handwritten vs. digital letters – there are pros and cons to each. In the end, it all depends on your preference. In my opinion, the anticipation of waiting for a handwritten letter in the mailbox can’t be beat, but some people prefer or feel more comfortable with email or Instagram, which is understandable too!
Finally, the main reason I enjoy writing letters is for the therapeutic, relaxing experience.
To me, pen paling is like an elevated form of journaling. I’ve found the act of writing to help slow down and organize my thoughts before putting them down on paper. Overall, it has been great for my well-being and mental health and I’d recommend it to anyone!