Quantcast

Five Reasons to Write Letters in the Digital Age

By Samara O’Shea

There are some things we got right the first time—communication being one of them. Don’t get me wrong: e-mails, texts, and wall comments are great for speed and safety (as in not putting your address out there). When it comes to saying something meaningful, however, nothing has replaced the letter. Here are a few reasons to put pen to paper every now and again:

• They Stand the Test of Time – Provided you don’t tear up love letters in the midst of a bad break up, you will have them your whole life. Your grandchildren will find your stash of letters in the attic, and they’ll meet a young, sassy version of you. Much of what we know of history comes from letters. Letters are a chance for all of us to leave a legacy.

• Pictures Don’t Always Tell the Truth – It’s true we chronicle much of our lives through photos. Yet it is human nature to make life appear better than it actually is, and we often use photos to do this. Letters, journals—things on paper—take emotional snapshots of our lives. Written words are a more honest representation of what we’re thinking and feeling. Life is all things: good, bad, exciting, dull, and disappointing. Why would you want to remember the disappointing days? 1. It’ll be funny someday (the way your high school drama is funny now), and 2. So one day you can relish in having overcome it all all as you relax in your rocking chair.

• You’re More Likely to Say the Right Thing – A letter requires that you think everything through before writing it down. This enables you to say exactly what you mean—rather than stumbling nervously over words or saying something inappropriate out of anger. Even e-mail and text messages can be too quick. Oftentimes you’ll hit send…and then wish you could take it right back.

• They Let the Language Live On – We have access to the lovely, complex English language, and too often we rely on short, clumsy acronyms and emoticons to express ourselves. Which would you prefer: A text message that says: “I Luv U” or a letter that says: “My dear Girl, I love you ever and ever without reserve. The more I have known you the more have I loved. In every way—even my jealousies have been agonies of love, in the hottest fit I ever had I would have died for you.” (Excerpt from a letter written by poet John Keats, March 1820).

• There’s an Excellent Chance You’ll Get Laid – Gentlemen, I invite you to write a love letter to your lady for no reason whatsoever. We are a safe distance from Valentine’s Day. Now, provided her birthday is not coming up or you need to get yourself out of trouble, write her an unsolicited love letter. Tell her why you’re with her. Why you love her. How you can’t believe she’s yours (all yours!). Nothing but good will come of this. I promise. It might even get you out of future trouble. Ladies, men are moved by love letters, too. For most, it’s something they don’t know they want until they receive it.

Check out Samara’s gorgeous site, where the written word lives on…



You Might Also Like:


May 7th, 2010 | Posted by Jordan | Community, Home | 5 Comments »

«
»
  • Unlettered

    Good topic. Great points. What kind of paper do you recommend when stationery is not available? Would you propose any different guidelines for postcards? Do you encourage accompanying illustration or other embellishment of letter or envelope (short of “mail art”)? Do you ever favor post over hand delivery in situations without logistical constraints? Thank you!

  • http://twitter.com/SamaraOShea Samara OShea

    Good questions! Answered in order:

    - This is tough to address because I always have some stationery on hand. However, I firmly believe the message is more important than the means. If you’ve got some passionate words you simply must say, then putting them on a napkin will do just fine. I’ve received letters written on lined notebook paper or even blank computer paper. It all works.

    - I think postcards are really fun. The original text message, if you will. I don't have much in the way of guidelines except to say think outside the box. For example, I enjoy sending postcards from un-cool places. I sent my friend Patrick one from Wilmington, Delaware once. If you know someone who's going through a hard time, you can send a postcard with a word of encouragement or a positive quote. I've also used postcards as thank you notes.

    - I absolutely encourage mail art if that’s your area of skill or something you enjoy. I am not much of an artist. I’d prefer to play wordsmith.

    - Yes! Sometimes there’s just something about dropping a letter in the mailbox even if it’s going to your next-door neighbor. Because they’ll receive it amidst a pile of junkmail, and that in and of itself is a gift.

  • Unlettered

    Thank you!

  • http://indiscriminatemusings.tumblr.com/ M2TheQuinn

    Kudos, thank you!!
    As a HUGE believer in still sending hand written thank you's, birthday cards, love notes, essentially if you want to get across true emotion- handwriting is always my go to.

    Thank you! For saying what I have been for the past few years… Stop being lazy & write it down sometimes.

    I always encourage using environmentally conscious products while writing, of course.

  • http://twitter.com/SamaraOShea Samara OShea

    Agreed M2, it's always a good idea to keep the environment in mind. I know in that sense “putting things on paper” sounds worse than e-mail. But I assure you individuals writing letters won't effect the trash problem. It's factories that produce tons of paper who have the power to make a difference. Plus, letters are rarely throw away. They are often kept for scrapbook and shoe box sake.