Are there any benefits of writing letters? Is it still relevant today?
well of course I will say yes there is a need for it and almost more than ever before.
Writing letters is something that has so many benefits for the person who writes it and also for the other person who receives it.
It is something so personal and priceless.
Relationships began and grew through letter writing. It was a way of getting to know the other person in a deep and meaningful way. One gets to know what the other person is thinking and feeling. The everyday things that impact them and of course the little things that show how the other person is thinking of them.
They may write to you that they were thinking about you in the moment that something happened. eg you have a favourite food and they saw it in the shop. Your favourite song came on and they smiled listening to it as you popped into their mind. The simple things that you love or enjoy are known and understood by this other person in your life. The time they invested in writing and sending that letter to you.
What about technology?
In today’s world we all seem to be just rushing to get from one thing to another. Technology has helped us in so many positive ways. However it also feels as if it has changed us in so many negative ways.
Living through the screen seems to be the norm nowadays and that seems so sad. Emails are written and forgotten and messages are sent or posted. How many are actually sincere or genuine? With artificial intelligence we are now left guessing was that comment written by a human or a bot?
Most don’t even think about it. How many times have you read a headline and thought ok I want to read more? Sadly, as you read the article you start thinking what on earth is this about? There seems to be no meaning and you end up thinking what on earth did I read and what was the point? This feels like it was just words thrown together.
Does the writer even know about what they are trying to talk about?
What about emails?
They are here to stay. Maybe until the next generation of whatever comes in. Emails are great and can be positive of course. So much business is handled and decisions made through emails. It is so beneficial to be able to get immediate response in business situations. Unfortunately using emails does not guarantee an immediate or even quick response anymore. It has also come to the time now that even with email that some companies only reply after a few days if at all. Personal email does exist and people use emails to keep in touch.
Sadly it does not have the same personal touch to it. Most emails are short and this means that not much time was invested in composing it. The mind was not allowed to wander. Is it due to the fact that one is sitting at the desk in front of a screen while typing the email. The temptation to just scan over to another tab and check something be it social media or scroll the internet is far too strong. The fear of not being there as some scandal erupts or something happens online is too strong. Emails may then be done just as a filler in between the next scrolling session.
Do people save their private emails in a folder and just leaves them there? Some may delete the emails or just lose them in the flood of emails in their inbox.
They are just one of many emails you receive and lost again.
Of course the other side is how many people have access to your emails? Some people write private emails from their work account. How much privacy can you expect from that?
How many people have their email accounts hacked and are not even aware of it.
What are the benefits of letter writing
There are so many it is hard to know where to begin.
- Start with what you have
Using the paper and pens that you already have in the home.
Yes it sounds like so much fun going out and buying those pretty and fancy writing paper with matching envelopes. Don’t forget the expensive pens that you think you need to be able to write letters.
They are so much fun and definitely motivating when it comes to thinking about writing letters. The best thing is that you do not need the fancy paper to start off. We all have paper in our home and why not start there. Everyone has a collection of pens lying around and possibly stickers, stamps or tape. If you want to decorate the letter or envelope then go for it and personalise the whole thing. The fun thing is it is up to you and you don’t need to tell anyone else about it.
There are probably envelopes hiding in some drawer in your home as well. No need to splurge right away. Stamps are the only thing that may not be readily available in most homes. Wow who else finds the price of stamps shocking?
- Relationship building
Writing a letter means you have to make the time to sit down with a pen and paper and start to write. You are focusing the time on that person and writing down sentences that make it feel like you are talking with them.
No distractions and a free flow of news. The letter can be a long one or short note or post card. It is a way of keeping in touch with the people you love and care about who happen to live further away from you. Regular correspondence deepens friendships and family connections. It can also build professional networks. Quick and short texts cannot provide such depth and personal touch. Letters build thoughtful communication.
- Emotional well-being
Composing and receiving letters are both so beneficial to overall emotional well being. This side is not often acknowledged and misunderstood. Writing a letter is a form of journaling. It is a way of processing thoughts and emotions. A kind of therapy as the words are written down on paper. The connection between the brain and hand movements of writing is positive. Receiving a letter or note that is also handwritten from the heart of the writer is precious as they have opened their heart to you and shared their personal life just with you. That is an honour and a form of mutual respect. It is not broadcast publicly for likes or followers or to shame the other person. It is a personal connection. Writing letters is a slower exchange which encourages reflection. It negates the impulsive instant reactions.
- Memory preservation
Letters become physical memories on paper that you can revisit years later. Sitting down and opening up letters from the past are a lasting keepsake. They are personal archives of milestones and shared experiences with that important person in your life. They preserve history in a way that digital messages cannot.
- Cultural and historical appreciation
Letters are a way of keeping history alive that most do not even consider. As ordinary people write their personal experiences with the people that they trust they are sharing important parts of current lives that are archived.
Yes, people can write emails or check the internet for historical things but how many people have accessed that to update or change things. How can an ordinary person figure out was it altered?
When people who wite and receive letters store them for future visits they are preserving important details. Accurate descriptions of how things really were for them. They describe their emotions or feelings and are processing situations. These are all important details for future references.
How many important discoveries or even classic books were written using details of letters written in the past.
Letters can be a form of journaling or keeping diaries that are important. The letter was composed in that moment so the emotions are real. It is not written years later with different influences or perspectives.
- Keeping the calm tradition
Making the time to get the supplies needed such as the paper and pens ready, getting the location comfortable and even a nice drink as well. Oh that sounds so cosy even thinking about it. Starting the letter off and just getting carried away in the flow of words is captivating. Sometimes it feels like your hand can’t keep up with what your brain wants to say. The sigh of happiness as you re read the letter, fold it and place it in the envelope. Write the address of the recipient and stick a stamp on it. A sense of accomplishment washes over you. You have invested time in that friendship and kept the contact alive. Posting the letter is another sense of achievement.
Now the wait begins for the return letter and the excitement of what that will bring.
The absolute excitement as you see the personal letter addressed to you in your letter box you feel yourself stopping and taking a deep breathe in. A sigh of happiness as you start to smile. Yes, a personal letter.
The joy of receiving a personal letter
The best thing to do is find a private moment in your day to get cosy and read the letter.
It is as if it is something so personal and private. Only two people in the world know about the words that are written on that paper. As you read the letter you can picture the person and you feel close with them. They trust you to share that information with and that is truly priceless. As you read the words you dive into their lives and find out what is going on. It is easy to spot the various emotions as the handwriting may start off really neat and tidy in the beginning and as the emotions flow it may get messy or rushed as you know they are scribbling to get it all down. A personal touch that is not possible in a digital form.
Not only are the words they chose a tell as to how things are but also the writing itself.
Skill development
It cannot be forgotten that writing letters hones in writing skills and encourages creativity. It improves vocabulary and grammar. The skill of writing letters is so important and one that should not be lost. It is a valuable practice in storytelling and being able to describe feelings, emotions, experiences and situations. Sadly more people prefer to take the lazy route and not even bother with the basic skills anymore.
Is letter writing still important?
Yes, I think it is still important even in today’s world of technology. They have a way of slowing things down both for the person writing the letter and the recipient as well. A personal and private note or letter from one person to another across the miles. Time invested in a friendship or family bond that continues and even builds up over time as more is divulged over the years. We may know the people better through letter writing than in person. They have a chance to say it all without any interruptions.
How on earth could a digital note or message even come close to that? The feeling of having the paper in your hand and reading hand written words is priceless. Printing out an email is just not the same.
Knowing that you can store the envelope and letter in a safe place and take it out and re read it whenever you want. This may be after a week, month or even years. The memories come rushing back and the connection with the other person is still there.
So yes I do feel that letter writing is still important nowadays. There are so many benefits of letter writing. Would it surprise you to read that yes I also find books important. Yes, I am the kind of person who loves opening a new book at random and smell the pages.
