I’m currently in the process of *gulp* moving house. And amongst frantically Sellotaping boxes and bubble wrapping woks, I’ve had great fun discovering old relics that I thought I’d lost.
My rummaging returned, in no particular order:
- A Smash Hits annual from 1996 (PJ and Duncan anyone?)
- Half a dozen Bang on the Door pencil cases (nowhere near enough in my opinion)
- And a programme from my year 4 talent show (I still maintain I was robbed by Ben Washer’s plate-spinning act)
But my most noteworthy discovery was a small stack of handwritten letters from an old penpal of mine. Tucked away in a Tupperware box and covered in sparkly stickers. And reading through those old letters, I couldn’t help but shed a tear. Not from the quality of writing or the carbon footprint of all those air miles. But from the honesty of writing that sprawled across every page.
The saddest thing was, I couldn’t remember the last time I sat down to write a letter. So it got me thinking why has this great art died out? And how can we make sure it doesn’t disappear for good?
Here are five reasons why we should all pick up our pens again.
Letters make amazing gifts
When was the last time you received a letter? I’m not talking about bank statements or updates on that panda you adopted for Christmas a few years ago. I mean a real letter. Remember how good it felt?
The buzz of excitement that opening a letter brings makes it the perfect gift for family and friends. And taking the time to write one is a beautiful way to show them just how much you care.
Sure we can send heartfelt messages on our phones and computers, but sitting down to craft something by hand is a real act of love. So if you’re stuck for gift ideas, give letter writing a go.
And the beauty of a letter is, you can keep it forever. There’s nothing quite like returning to an old one months, or even years, down the line. When was the last time you did that with an email eh?
It’s good for the brain
Studies have shown that our addiction to instant messaging has squeezed our ability to write longer sentences. I for one am very guilty of letting auto-complete do the heavy lifting. But writing messages by hand can help kick our brains back into gear.
There’s some pretty nifty science behind it too. Our brains are split into two halves – the logical side and the artistic side. And writing letters by hand, especially in cursive, is one of the few tasks that uses both sides at the same time.
It’s great for our memories too. Writing things down helps commit information to our subconscious. And some evidence even suggests that letter writing can help us retain our memory as we get older.
So if you really want to keep your brain sharp, put down the sudoku and pick up a pen.
It helps us to be honest
Now, I love a good emoji but there are times when you can’t sum up the complex maze of human emotion with a salsa lady icon. There’s something about putting pen to paper that pushes us to be honest about our feelings.
Whether it’s at work or with friends, it’s so easy to keep our discussions on a surface level. But because handwritten letters aren’t designed to be deleted or discarded, they’re one of the few opportunities we have to let it all out.
Some psychologists suggest that writing letters is a great way of communicating in relationships, even if you never send them. The simple act of getting your feelings out on paper is a great way of seeing things clearly.
It’s a great tool for mindfulness
Have you ever noticed how your thumbs can whip up a text without you even thinking about it? Because we do it so often, electric messages can put our brain into autopilot. But by bringing us into the moment, letter writing can do wonders for mindfulness.
By dedicating time and commitment to just one job, our brain starts to unravel from the multi-tasking pressures of day to day life. Letter writing is a great way of slowing down and focussing the old noggin.
It’s a super stress buster too. Just like a good colouring book, the methodical process of putting pen to paper helps release endorphins that can calm our nerves. So if you’re looking to unwind after a long day, add letter writing to your nighttime ritual.
Self-reflection
As wonderful as letters are for the reader, they can be even more wonderful for the writer.
Letter writing is an incredible tool for self-reflection and can open our eyes to the things that really matter. Because the art of letter writing is naturally slow and considerate, it encourages us to think about things in a whole new light. It can help us reflect on things like our goals, ambitions and priorities.
It’s a great way of building relationships too. Sure, we can chuck a like on a friend’s holiday snap, but who would you take the time to send a letter to? The answer to that question may help you acknowledge the people you really treasure.
Writing a letter is one of the few chances we get to indulge in our own creativity. Whether they’re covered in scribbles or practically perfect in every way, letters are a great way of giving those you love something truly personal and unique to you.
If you’ve got itchy fingers, explore our range of letter ready stationery. Or for more amazing gift ideas, check out our blog.
Happy writing my friends.
Lexi x
