LETTER WRITING

Where there is uniformity in digital type, handwritten letters provide distinction. Every line, smudge, pressure and even error gives the reader insight into the writer. The process of letter writing is a way to release energy in a way that typing does not. Pen-to-paper provides a different mental function than typing. There is an emotional release that cannot be emulated with the clicking of the keys. Another reason in support of letter writing is the old-fashioned joy of receiving something in the mail—that singular feeling of being noticed in a world that is passing by all too quickly.

I had a friend move away a couple of years ago. Transition is common in San Diego with our military bases and high home prices.  When my friend was packing up to move, she suggested we should write letters.  I relished the idea of returning to what many people believe is an outmoded way of communicating.  I found a stationary set I had tucked away and began to correspond with my friend.  Our letters are few and far between, but when I do receive one, I am all the more glad.  

Letter writing with one friend turned into sending notecards to friends, even friends I had not messaged in a while.  One friend also felt the joy of correspondence with little notes here and there and we have rekindled a solid albeit idle friendship.  With others, I am overjoyed to hear how much a card in the mail has meant to them.  By writing notes, I am saying how much I think, care and love a person without opening my mouth or providing a dopamine hit of a new message ping. A text message is nice, even basic.  A note card reaches something deeper.  

The act of letter writing may seem old-fashioned to some, but I have found it to be something of a lost art of communication.  Everywhere, information is being pushed through the masses as fast as possible.  Letter writing is anything but fast.  It takes time to find the card, to think of what to say, to write with few smudges or errors and to track down the recipient’s address.  Not only that, one has to have stamps on hand as well.  Letter writing is another way to slow the mind down and enter a place of slower living. 

There are strong arguments that writing with pen and paper, instead of typing, helps the brain retain information and provides an emotional release.  The act of writing actually provides a therapeutic way to process our thoughts and emotions.  Letter writing is not going to eliminate our problems or simplify our lives. No.  But we need to find more ways in our daily lives that alleviate stress not compound it.  We need ways to unwind that allow for rest and release.  Letter writing can be one of the ways to slow down.  

With letter writing, it takes time to find the words that will form the sentences and then be committed to paper.  It takes time to wait for a response if there is a response to be had.  It also takes time to respond to a response.  All this ‘taking time’ is good for our system to slow down our thoughts.  With a text message, there is this impulse to respond immediately.  With letter writing the impulse is to slow down, to ponder and seek a good response.  

In the future, I hope to commit myself to writing a note or letter to a friend more often.  Some beautiful things still belong to the analog world but should not be wholly and irrevocably lost.  Letter writing has been a lovely way to cultivate friendships and maintain connections even in this fast-paced world. 

Cover Image - Camille Corot. The Letter, 1865. The Metropolitan Museum of Art