The Lost Art Series: The Simple Act of Letter Writing

Over the years, our society has become increasingly fast-paced. Products are developed to save time. Modern conveniences are found everywhere. It has even gotten to the point where people stand in front of their microwaves and yell “Hurry up!” (At least I have!) So many things from a slower and simpler time in life are being left behind. They are known as lost arts. One of these lost arts is the subject of this article. The simple act of letter writing is becoming rare. It is a sad, but true statement.

Yes, I know that many people summarize their yearly events in a typewritten page. This page is then sent along with a holiday card (at year’s end) to all those on ‘their list’. However, even these summaries have become the brunt of many jokes. It seems there is a tendency to elaborate by some. These yearly summaries still are not the same as the lost art of letter writing.

I also am not talking about note cards with short handwritten notes in them. Fortunately, many people still do write and send these out. Even though these are pleasant, they are not the same as a handwritten letter.

The actual letter writing process has been slowly removed by our society due to other quicker, more efficient ways to communicate. We can email, text message, make a cell phone call, and even telephone. They all involve little time and less thought. Some believe that taking time to handwrite a letter is a waste of time. Their time could be spent doing “better, more constructive things”. That is not true.

A perfect example comes to mind. Recently, I was totally surprised when I received a handwritten letter from my 88 year old aunt. It was a lovely letter whereby she told me about what was happening in her life. I was led to believe by my relatives, that her Alzheimer’s was getting the best of her. That did not come across at all in her letter. She apologized two times for taking the time to write me a letter. She felt she ought to be doing something else. I quickly responded back telling her not to feel bad. I emphasized how touched I was at receiving her letter. I know we both smiled because of our simple letter writing episode. It will be the last letter I ever receive from my aunt. She has since become unable to write. This is yet another reason why the lost art of letter writing needs to be revived. Handwritten letters are treasures.

How many times can you honestly say you have received a handwritten letter in the past year? When and if you did, didn’t it make you feel special? Didn’t you feel someone cared? Letter writing actually lets others know that you thought enough about them to take the time to write. You, and you alone, were the only person on their mind at that particular moment. It means so much more than a simple email. Emails can be written and sent in a minute or two. Handwritten letters take time.

Handwritten letters require the writer to take time to find a place to write. The writer needs to set aside some time specifically to write. The writer then needs to get a pen and paper. They need to organize their thoughts. They need to put those thoughts down on paper to be read by another. The letter is then put into an envelope, sealed, stamped, and mailed. The letter writing process is not something to kick out in a jiffy. That is another reason why the lost art of letter writing is becoming rare.

In closing, if you want to touch someone’s live in a meaningful way, take the time to write them a letter. Actually compose a handwritten letter especially for them. It may mean more to them than you can imagine. Do not allow letter writing to become a lost art in our lifetime.