Writing Letters

We have so many ways of communicating digitally today that many of us no longer write letters anymore.  Even if you put it in an email, a letter is a powerful tool to express your feelings to another person.  It is far less threatening to us to write our feelings than it would be to state them to someone’s face.  

Letter writing is the only device combining solitude with good company.

Lord Byron

Benefits of writing:

• Helps you to relax
• Helps you heal from a traumatic event
• Helps to improve your memory
• Helps achieve insights into yourself or your environment
• Helps to relieve anxiety

In addition, writing letters is a great way to analyze our feelings.  It is a useful practice to write letters to yourself.  Imagine you have been asked, “How are you doing?” Write out your response being as specific as possible.  The act of writing allows us to break down what is going on in our minds and gives us a means of expressing those feelings.  it allows you to become conscious of thoughts and emotions you may not have even been aware of.  

When you are physically writing out what is going on inside your mind, you are creating a connection between your inner self and your physical outer self.  This allows you to release worries, fears, and anxieties that may be affecting you.  

“To write is human, to receive a letter: Devine!”  

Susan Lendroth

Sometimes the hardest part is getting started.  Use whatever type of journal or notebook that you are comfortable with.  Decorate it if it will give you pleasure and help you to pick it up and use it more often.

Some helpful hints to get started:

1. Write about what is going on in your life right now. How has the pandemic/quarantine affected you?
2. Time yourself for five minutes and just write on whatever comes into your mind.
3. Start a dialogue with yourself asking and answering questions.
4. Develop an attitude of gratitude by writing a list of things you appreciate in your life.
5. Write a list of accomplishments and successes.

Letter-writing on the part of a busy man or woman is the quintessence of generosity.

Agnes Repplier

So ask yourself, “Do I owe someone a letter?”  Take the time and write it, you will both benefit from the time spent.  Maybe, instead of writing to someone else, you should sit down and write yourself a letter.  Whichever letter you write, the end result will be a positive one for you.