As technology continues to play an ever increased role in our everyday existence, handwritten letters are becoming an extinct form of art. Email, text message and social media have made keeping in touch with people easier than ever, but they’re also leaching away something precious. Writing by hand has a layer of thought and feeling that an email message cannot express. Whether it be love letters or a note of encouragement, the intimate act of writing on a piece of paper creates a bond that cannot be reproduced by technology.
The Emotional Weight of Handwritten Letters
The emotional quality of handwritten letters is one of the most powerful things about them. Unlike a brisk text message or email, writing a letter takes time, effort and intent. Each movement of the pen reveals something of the writer’s mood, personality, and attention. When you read a letter, you frame words in your mind—you’re holding in your hand something tangible of someone’s time and presence.”
Handwritten letters also elicit a sense of intimacy. The imperfections — the subtle smudges and uneven lines, as well as the styles and hands of those who pen them — make each letter unique. In an era of uniformity, where fonts look the same and text is easily erased with a click, the raw nature of a handwritten note makes it special.
A Pause from the Digital Overload
We live in a hyper-fast, digital world of notifications always screaming for our eyeballs. Writing a letter by hand has us slow down, concentrate and pay full attention in the present moment. This kind of practice can be therapeutic, allowing us to unplug from screens and communicate in a way with greater purpose.
Before you know it, writing letters will also promote creativity. Typing — an easy medium to delete and refine — can lead to more careless composition than writing, which makes us more intentional about our words. Writing with ink on paper has a permanence that invites the writer to express ideas more thoughtfully and intentionally.
The Power of Physical Paper Letter
While digital messages can get lost in an overflowing inbox, handwritten letters are frequently treasured and saved for years. A note from a loved one can be cherished, read and reread as comfort and nostalgia in the years after it was delivered. With historical and sentimental value, letters are time capsules of emotions, relationships, and historical moments.
For example, a lot of people keep old letters from grandparents, parents and childhood friends. These handwritten notes connect believers to experiences of the past while stirring emotion like text messages rarely can. The same way a person might feel excitement when finding an old letter in a dusty drawer are the same sensations they feel when playing classic slot machine games that remind them of the spark of classic casinos.
Reinvigorating the Art of Letter Writing
However, as handwritten letters have fallen out of favor, there is a growing movement to bring back this lost art. A number of people have been rediscovering the pleasure of sending and receiving letters, whether through pen pal programs or handwritten gratitude challenges. We can cultivate deeper connections and show appreciation for writing slower, but content will last longer.
If overhauling letter-writing is a goal you’d like to incorporate into your life, start small. Thank a friend with a note, mail a handwritten birthday card, or share your feelings in a letter to a loved one. You might discover that not only will the recipient value it, but that the act of writing itself is incredibly gratifying.
Wrapping Up
As the world embraces the new age of instant messaging, handwritten letters can still remind us how slow and painful — in a good way! Writing by hand requires time, effort and a personal touch, making it a form of communication that is uniquely meaningful. Whether it’s a quick note of gratitude or a heartfelt letter, handwritten communication leaves an indelible mark on the recipient long after the message is delivered. Through this lost art that has fallen to the wayside and is now slowly being revived, we can experience a moment of authenticity, connection, and mindfulness into our lives—one letter at a time.