Around 3 years ago I was chatting online with my old college roommate Alexander Sabadash and the conversation turned to writing letters, something which we hadn’t done since we were kids. Alexander and I both felt that we’d lost something since the dawn of instant messaging and email, so we decided that every couple of months we would scribe a letter to each other, instead of going electronic. This is something which Alexander and I still do today, and it is something that I would totally recommend to anyone who has an interest in writing. If you are interested, here is why I believe everyone should join the letter writing revolution.
Personal
No matter what the words or the emotions are in the content, there is very little that is personal about an email. It can be accessed from anywhere, it uses a plain font which everyone can use and there is no physicality to it, all you see are words on a screen. When you get a letter however then you suddenly realize just how personal this should feel and there really is no comparison. The person who sent you the letter marked the page with that ink with the intention of you reading it, there isn’t anything more personal than that when it comes to communicating.
The Post
There is little to brighten up your day when the mail comes these days and invariably it contains nothing but bills, incentives to join companies or junk mail. Occasionally however, when that envelope with your name written on it arrives, it genuinely does put a smile on your face. This was commonplace in the past of course, at least for those of a certain age, but these days it is a rare event, which we should be doing more of.
In-Depth
Alexander and I still keep in touch via instant messaging but generally this is to chat about our day or some sports results. When you sit down to write a letter however, you have far less pressure on yourself to keep things brief and you can really get into what is going on in your life and the lives of those around you. I have learned so much more about Alexander’s life since I have started doing this and you’ll feel the same once you begin to write letters to a friend or family member.
Therapeutic
Something which has really surprised me since I started writing more letters was just how therapeutic it was. When you start writing about your life and the things that are going on, it gives you a chance to really exercise your mind, and it also gives you pause for thought. Sometimes I even surprised myself with the things that I write, and it is because you are able to tap into your subconscious and explore thoughts and feelings which you don’t always have a chance to air.
Why not give it a try with a friend or family member, I can assure you that you will love being part of the letter writing revolution.