In the digital era of today, few things are more exciting and fulfilling than getting a handwritten letter or writing one yourself. Except maybe winning a jackpot at the VulkanBet casino! Handwritten letters, cards, and notes are all making a comeback, and it’s good news for us all, especially since letters are quickly becoming a rarity. Studies show that most folks haven’t written a letter in years.
Who has the time to buy stationery, manually spell-check, and affix stamps nowadays? No wonder many opt for the convenience of emails and texts. But handwritten letters have a timeless appeal, so it’s premature to downplay the relevance of this type of deliberate communication.
Why Are Handwritten Letters So Special?
The increasing appreciation of handwritten letters in recent times has come as a surprise to many. In a world dominated by instant messaging and emails, handwritten letters had seemingly become obsolete. But the saturation of digital communication has naturally driven the search for other options.
Like the ‘slow food’ movement aficionados, proponents of the ‘slow communication’ movement are shunning the instantaneity of texts and emails. They’re instead opting for the good old-fashioned handwritten letter because it’s a more conscious, slower means of communication that facilitates greater sincerity and thoughtfulness.
- Adds a personal touch. A handwritten letter is a reflection of the sender’s individuality and personality. With every stroke of the pen, the sender reflects their unique style of handwriting, bringing out a personal touch that’s impossible to replicate via a typed text message. This customization creates a deeper bond between the recipient and send, making the letter more meaningful and special.
- Demonstrates special effort. Letter writing requires thought and time, which makes it a more meaningful exercise than a quick SMS. It shows that the sender wrote the letter with care and effort, making the recipient feel truly valued. Letter writing can be therapeutic as well, letting you reflect and fashion a genuinely personal message. The effort provides an enriching experience both for the sender and receiver.
- Offers timeless appeal. In the fast-paced digital world of today, we can all appreciate the opportunity to slow down and catch a breath, can’t we? Whether it’s to read a note or letter or write a letter, you’re taking time off the screen and engaging your brain, eyes, and senses to focus deeply. A handwritten letter, postcard, or card is much more exciting than a text message or email because it enhances thoughtfulness. You’re also more likely to read a handwritten letter for longer since you can’t skim it like you can a block of text on a screen.
- Promotes creativity and self-expression. Just like painting or calligraphy, everyone has their own unique handwriting style. Of course, some are more eye-catching than others, but writing promotes self-expression nonetheless. Coming up with your own style of writing brings out a sense of creativity. It also allows you to engage right-brain thinking, letting your creativity shape what you write, how you write, how you understand the words, and how you read.
- Serves as cherished keepsakes. Digital messages can be easily forgotten or deleted. On the other hand, handwritten notes or letters are tangible keepsakes you and your family members can cherish for years. Handwritten letters or notes safely stored in a drawer can be discovered years later, evoking emotions and memories. The long-lasting physical presence of handwritten letters is simply no match for digital communication,
- Counters technological overload. Amid the endless barrage of alerts, notifications, and emails, many people find the thoughtful and deliberate act of letter writing liberating. Slowing down to pen a letter can be a meaningful way to ease the stress of the ceaseless digital noise. Writing a letter involves disconnecting from the instantaneity of digital communication to go into a more reflective and meditative process. This makes it an effective remedy for technological overload.
- Acts as a stress reliever. One Harvard Medical Study shows that writing a letter by hand can promote mental calm and relieve stress. Similar to meditation, exercise, and even communing with nature, writing gives you the chance to exercise various parts of your mental and physical states. Moreover, it’s also amazing for dexterity because you use your fingers and hands to pen your thoughts.
- Promotes authenticity in communication. Writing a letter brings forth an authenticity that’s not often found in digital communication. Without one-on-one interactions, it’s very easy to belittle our words by using casual lingo and empty emoticons. By contrast, letter writing promotes honest, heartfelt expressions. Writing down your thoughts enables more reflective communication, unaffected by the presence of an audience online or immediate responses. Re-reading a letter also continually brings back the emotions associated with it, making communication timeless and authentic.
In the era of digital communication and instant gratification, handwritten letters have a charm that speaks to the enduring significance of personal connection. Letter writing might have evolved as an art form, but its essence stays the same: an honest, heartfelt expression of emotions and thoughts that transcends technology and time. It reminds us of the beauty and value of thoughtful and personal communication.
