Writealetter.org

Let's start writing letters again!

  • Home
  • About
  • Go The Write Way
  • Posts
  • Resources
  • Contact

“7 Reasons to Write Letters”

April 5, 2021 By Carol

…If you are not familiar with The Postman Knocks, then you are in for a treat!

Margaret Shepherd recommended Lindsay Bugbee’s website, so there’s a nod of approval if ever I saw one. 

Lindsay’s TPK is always visually gorgeous. Her interest in inspiring us is continuously channeled into her multiple lessons and videos. If you would like to learn calligraphy or just want to spiff up your script, say- add a bit of flair here and there, I’d urge you to visit The Postman Knocks. (see link below)

Now, Ms. Bugbee’ shares her “7 Reasons to Write Letters”…

7 Reasons to Write Letters

I have loved to write letters since I learned how to read circa 1995! One of my aunts was kind enough to be my penpal (she lived two hours away, which required long distance calls … letters were cheaper). I still remember that feeling of excitement when my parents would arrive home from the post office with one of her letters! Those letters absolutely made my week. I’ve carried a strong enthusiasm for snail mail into adulthood, and today, I’d like to share the seven reasons that I continue to write letters.

1. You Can Enjoy a Digital Detox

Communication these days is incredibly easy. At this point in history, in particular, we rely on our devices to stay in touch. Facetime, phone calls, emails, and texts are keeping us connected during a time where we’re mostly staying at home. While I’m grateful that quick communication options exist, all that screen time starts to grate on my nerves after a couple of hours! If you also like to indulge in digital detoxes, you’ll love how writing a letter helps you to keep in touch without technological devices.

7 Reasons to Write Letters
Thinking of someone? Try writing them a letter instead of an email or a text!

2. It’s Easy to Reconnect in a Considerate Way

Throughout the COVID-19 quarantine, I’ve been reconnecting with friends who I haven’t spoken to in years. The best way to reignite some of those relationships has been through letters. That’s because a text, phone call, or an email might be a little bit out of place. Our modern modes of communication tend to encourage an expedient response, which puts a bit of pressure on the recipient. A letter is a considerate and gentle way to reach out, especially if you’re coming out of the woodwork after a long time.

Elegant and Effective Letter Writing Tips | The Postman's Knock
If you haven’t talked to someone in a while, try bringing them up to speed in a letter! You can find letter writing tips in this article.

3. Write Letters for Tangible Memories

At the risk of making myself sound like a luddite, the problem with electronic messages is eventually they disappear. I mean, electronic messages are searchable, but they can be tedious to sift through if you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for. And there are compatibility questions … half a century from now, will we still be able to read today’s texts? Letters are one thing that you can count on for lasting memories! I have a box of letters dating back two decades, and I love to get it out every once in a while and reminisce.

My Letter Collection
These are some of the letters in my snail mail collection. I love getting to look back on these memories!

4. You Can Personalize Letters in a Unique Way

When you communicate via text, you’re limited in ways to say what you want to say. Sure, you can make text bold or add an emoji, but there’s nothing like a hand-written letter to convey emotion! When you write a letter, you can switch up your writing style to emphasize things, make a little illustration of something you want to describe, or use your handwriting to (perhaps unintentionally) convey an emotional state in general. You can also curate the materials that you write on and customize your writing utensils!

A Letter
With the all-caps handwriting and use of underlines here, “SINCE AUGUST – NO LIE!” enjoys a little more emphasis in this hand-written correspondence than it would if written electronically.

5. Letters Make an Impression

I already mentioned that I remember letters fondly as a special part of my childhood! But, honestly, I don’t think that you have to be a certain age to love receiving letters. Now that I’m in my early 30’s, I still love getting snail mail! I’ve carried on my aunt’s tradition of sending the occasional letter to my little nieces in Kansas. They really enjoy the experience of receiving my letters, especially since I take care to include pretty little trinkets (like stickers and washi tape), and I write in short words that they can sound out.

Pop-Up Tree Correspondence
This is one of my favorite pieces of correspondence that I’ve received! That delightful tree was such a surprise.

6. You Can Send Little Gifts

One thing I love about snail mail is you don’t have to just send a letter! Your snail mail can include little goodies that will delight the recipient. For example, take a look at the photo below of everything that I included in my latest letter to a dear friend. The packet included a calligraphy ampersand, some magnets, a couple of recipes, a three-page letter, and a lovely envelope.

Contents of My Latest Letter
I especially love the envelope design here! It’s the brainchild of Schin Loong, whose animal-themed flourishes are a delight to behold.

7. Writing Letters is Therapeutic

No matter what your situation, a quiet time-out is never out of place! At my house, I have a favorite letter-writing spot and time: in the corner of our basement couch, always in the evening before bed. With a rambunctious toddler keeping me on my toes, writing letters provides a welcome, relaxing retreat — one that my child lets me indulge in without protesting. (Now, if I’m on my laptop, that’s another story!) Once I finish a letter, I always get the contented feeling that I’ve had a conversation with a good friend.

Writing Letters on My Couch
This is me in my favorite letter-writing spot yesterday evening!

If you’re confused about what to write in a letter, check out Elegant and Effective Letter Writing Tips article! The Art of Snail Mail article is pretty old, so its photos aren’t the best, but it’s also inspirational. Of course, The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource is fabulous for those who are excited to launch into writing organized, eye-catching letters to friends and family!

If you have input on sending snail mail, I’d love to hear from you in the comments! Some people absolutely love it, while others would prefer to stay in touch via text and emails. What do you think? I’m curious!

Warmly,

Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

MAY 12, 2020 BY LINDSEY BUGBEE

https://thepostmansknock.com/

Filed Under: Guest Author, Handwriting, Letter Writing in the News, Pen pals, Stationery Tagged With: calligraphy, conversation with a friend, digital detox, Elegant and Effective Letter Writing tips, letter writing, letters as gifts, Letters as therapy, letters for tangible memories, letters make an impression, letters reconnect in a considerate way, Lindsay Bugbee, luddite, Mail Art, Margaret Shepherd, snail mail, The Art of Snail Mail, The Letter Writer's Complete Resource, the postman knocks

Subscribe

Subscribe to our mailing list for occasional newsletters and notices of new posts




Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010

Copyright © 2023 · Carol Christmas · website by Hardenbergh Design · Log in