Do you like writing letters and also receiving them? I do, but I don't think it is as popular now, as many of us are so used to sending emails or a text message. To me it's just not the same. I came across this article and thought I'd share it, once you've read it do please share your thoughts in the comments section.
"The lost art of letter writing: 'Opening a letter brings a nostalgic feeling of joy unrivalled in this digital age'
From scribbled thank-you notes to long, lyrical testaments of love, the handwritten word creates a meaningful and lasting record, says Sarah Fortescue, as she laments the lost art of letter writing.
When I sit at my Apple Mac, fingers working faster than my brain, I am functioning on autopilot, ticking off my to-do list. I am conscious, yes, but, by the end of the day, would I be able to list the contacts I have emailed or the specific contents of what I had written in each email? I have to admit, I think not.
When I have moments of solitude at my writing desk, with a fresh sheet of paper before me, the excitement builds. To write a letter of thanks for an occasion — an extended length of time with friends, a moment reminiscing or in memory of a life or a celebration of a future life together — I fall into a state of sanctuary as pen meets the paper. A spark of excitement ripples through my being, as I delve deep into my imagination to conjure up the unique narrative of the letter, tailored to the recipient. To hold on to their attention, to amuse, wrap up and entertain — this is a thrilling process for the letter writer.
"When a letter hits the doormat, the creativity of its contents and tangibility of what the recipient receives is all too delightful"
The unwrapping of my first fountain pen is a moment I will hold on to for my entire life — what a treat it was. I delighted in the beauty of the nib and how the blue ink glided across the page as I scribed. Thirty years on, this same thrilling feeling has stayed with me and I dream that my son will be as inspired when he reaches the same age. I often wonder if we as parents cannot instill a love of letter writing into our children, would it be encouraged at school? In the modern classroom, the screen is employed over the written word — handwriting is a dying art form and we must strive to instill the invaluable appreciation of the written word.
When a letter hits the doormat, the creativity of its contents and tangibility of what the recipient receives is all too delightful. Opening a letter brings a nostalgic feeling of joy unrivalled in this digital age. Let us hope we continue to put pen to paper and that this art form will thrive in future generations."
Words and image from here
I do agree sometimes it's nice to sit a while with a cuppa and cookie (low carb of course) to read your letter. These chocolate chip cookies are nice, see recipe here
Do you write/send letters? Do you like to receive them?
Please share your thoughts in the comments
All the best Jan
42 comments:
Come to think of it I don't write letters anymore and send less cards now. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
I used to write letters when I was young, but now (like most people) I used email or a blog comment. But I do like getting and even sending cards. And getting happy mail/ a card in the mail, always makes me feel good.
I no longer write letters, but do include notes in birthday and Christmas cards to people I don’t see.
This is so true! I think we all like to get them. I try to send an occasional note or even a card with a note jotted inside but don't do it as often as I should!
Even thank you's seem to be a lost cause. I've attended a few weddings lately that I never received a thank you for the gift and I think that's sad. It's something I drilled into my kids to do, and I hope it stuck!
...something that I've never been good at.
When my hands did what I wanted them to do, I wrote letters and cards by hand. Now I write here, electronically. I gotta write.
La verdad da pena que se ha perdido era tan romántico. Te mando un beso.
I don't remember the last time I wrote or recieved a letter. It is nice though isn't it.
I remember back in the day I'd check the letter box and bring any mail inside and put it on the table. Then I would finish all my housework, make a pot of tea and sit down with my letter(s) and really enjoy reading. I made it into a bit of an occasion I guess. I also loved writing letters, great missives sometimes depending on who was receiving them
I write every single day. Notes or reminders.
I haven't written a letter in decades. Do I miss receiving them? I don't know...
I couldn't agree MORE!! I much refer writing letters to this very non-personal, all too lazy technology of this day and age!!
Unfortunately I don't write letters anymore,
it's truly a lost art!!
I used to write a lot and I also received them! Very nice topic for discussion,
I recently read that in some European country they are abolishing post offices!
What a shame!!
I love putting pen to paper but I can't remember the last time I actually wrote a letter. Having just moved house I must admit i was delighted to receive cards with personal messages from friends rather than text messages.
Nice memory there Jan. I write a couple of letters at Christmas time only, sometimes I even type them.
I do love a properly written and newsy letter, but find so many people just write in chicken scratch that words are illegible and unreadable. I wonder what happened to penmanship? As my own handwriting deteriorates due to Parkinson's it makes me sad, for penmanship is a prized skill to me. These days, penpals are more popular than ever but seem to be more about the enclosures rather than the written words. One thing I abhor is the typewritten annual Christmas Round Robin.
Hope you are well, Debbie
I enjoy letter writing very much-I have several slow mail friends where we share hand written letters with Many here in the states have not been taught cursive-a terrible thing Have a good week Kathy
Buongiorno.Il giorno d'oggi tutti corrono e non si fermano per scrivere lettere,una telefonata o un messaggio sono più veloci.Non ricevo e non spedisco lettere ho perso l'abitudine Ricevo solo giornali o bollette per i pagamenti.Oggi la vita è frenetica.Olga
That's really a great post, Jan! I also like sitting at my writing desk, where I can simply enjoy a pencil and shit of white paper (recycled paper obviously). In addition to this, I think that writing on a white paper, as you mentioned, may be a good exercise in critical thinking.
I wonder creative writing help activate prefrontal cortex
I've not written a personal letter in years. I think they've been overtaken with portal calls to family, and quick facebook chats with friends. You are right though, it's not the same. Take care and have a great week Jan xx
I used to write letters to friends but the last two died the year before last so no letters these days, I love writing them and receiving them.
I've not written or received a letter in ages. The post is dying I think. It's all digital now!
I can not remember the last time I wrote a letter.
Take care, have a great day!
I don't write letters or send cards as much as I used to.
The gift of a letter can be lovely indeed!
Postcards merely, from holidays or for Birthdays.
Yes, I do still write letters and send greeting cards. I so enjoyed this article because it explains how I feel when I go to our mailbox and find an envelope with my name handwritten on it. I find that taking the time to physically write out with pen (I'm still waiting on a fountain pen because that has always been so special to me) on pretty stationary words of encouragement to others makes my day more precious. Thank you, Jan, for sharing this post with us.
I haven't written a "real" letter in a bit but send lots of cards with short notes and always a handwritten thank you note. I love receiving AND writing them.
I write letters quite often. I love it.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
I must admit to being one of the guilty ones, but I have a cousin who still writes long and detailed missives to us, which we really enjoy.
I have some older cousins that are not on social media so I write letters to them.
I haven't written a letter since the 90s. The post these days are slow and the price of a stamp is getting higher by the day.
I mostly text or email these days, but agree there is just something so special about a handwritten note! It was always so exciting to get something in the mail. I am having my area rug cleaned this afternoon so I will be stuck at home & you just inspired me to take that time to write a few letters to people I love! Thanks for sharing!!!
Jackie
Once in a while I still do write a litter. Mostly thank you ones because I think they are nicer hand written. I LOVE getting letters and cards in the mail.
I recall having a pen pal. There sights on the net now that offers pen pals.
I do tend to send more emails than long letters but I am always sending out cards with a short note inside.
Powerful content full of beautiful things that touch hearts deeply because of the truth they hold within 🥰
I would love to write a letter once in a while to my family members but I honestly wonder if they will get time to read it as life has become very fast and time is real money for them to spend carefully and on more important things to them 🥹♥️
There is definitely something special about a handwritten note or letter. They are very rare these days. It's not much fun to go to the mailbox anymore because it's all junk mail. Usually it goes into the trashcan in my garage before Ebay gets to the house. There's something to be said for the good all days.
I write by hand in notebooks, dairies, journals and stuff like that. Though I don't write letters much anymore. Did back in the day. Having a cuppa now. Yum.
Me encanta recibir cartas, pero ya hace años que no recibo ninguna. Besos.
I remember writing letters to family and friends for birthdays and Christmas as a child. I did continue adding a personal written note with Christmas cards to a few people until the last few years. Now, postage costs are too expensive and I use other methods to communicate. I agree that a handwritten letter is particularly special though.
I still write letters, though to fewer people than I used to! I definitely prefer letters to emails.
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