Chances are you wrote letters as a child. Maybe you had a pen pal. Or you wrote thank you letters after Christmas and birthdays. But time has moved on and it’s yonks since you actually put anything other than a bill in an envelope.
Getting back into the letter-writing habit can be tricky. We’ve become used to writing emails, text messages, and status updates. Short to the point bits of text. In contrast, one feels that a letter should be longer, better thought out and have plenty to say.
This is, of course, nonsense. However, tackling a long letter after a break would be like doing no exercise for a year and then attempting an advanced Zumba class. You need to ease yourself in. Once you’ve re-discovered the joys that using the postal service can bring then you’ll find that the longer letter comes more naturally. And if it doesn’t just send a shorter one – the recipient will be just as delighted.
Step 1
Select as many envelopes as there are weeks in the month. Get out the good envelopes. After all, they‘re not doing any good sitting in a drawer. Dig out the writing paper, cards and notelets you’ve hoarding at the same time.
Step 2
In addition, start keeping an eye out for small things you could send to friends and family. A cutting from a newspaper. A sticker. A postcard. A photograph. A pressed flower.
Step 3
At this point, aim to send one item each week with just a few handwritten lines. Dig out your stickers, stamps, coloured inks, and tapes. Prepare to pimp your envelope.
Step 4
Next, sit back and think about the recipient’s joy when their post arrives. Basically, feel inspired to do more.
Other ideas
Join something the great big stitched postcard swap
Go to a letter-writing event