The Dying Art of Letter Writing

July 7, 2023

This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.

The art of letter writing – a practice that has become as rare as finding a unicorn in a crowded city. In today’s fast-paced world, we simply don’t have the time to sit down with a pen and paper and compose thoughtful letters. Instead, we opt for the much quicker and more efficient and cheaper method of sending a text, what’s app or email.

It really hit me after I recently attended a wonderful party full of fun people, delicious food and wine. The weather was glorious, and the hosts put on a magical light show. The next day I reached for my phone to send a what’s app to thank them and then stopped. I thought this what’s app will take me 30 seconds and didn’t our hosts deserve more? They had worked so hard to make the evening special. The least I could do is properly show my appreciation…with a handwritten letter.

But what about the poor postman? Gone are the days when they would eagerly await a batch of handwritten letters to deliver to their respective recipients. Nowadays, they’re lucky if they get a handful of birthday cards and the occasional wedding invitation. My daughter sent out invitations to her upcoming wedding via email with a link to her ‘Wedding Website’.

Instead, they’re forced to deliver a never-ending stream of flyers, leaflets, and junk mail. You know the kind I’m talking about – the ones that make you wonder if your mailbox has a sign outside that reads “Dump Your Rubbish Here.”

I can imagine the postman’s disappointment as they make their way down the street, scanning the addresses on each envelope, hoping to see a handwritten name or address that suggests a letter may be inside. But no, it’s just another advertisement for a fast food chain or the services of a local plumber.

It’s no wonder that the art of letter writing is dying. Who wants to put in the time and effort to write a thoughtful letter when the recipient is more likely to throw it away before they even open it? We live in a society that values convenience over sentimentality, where even the act of writing something by hand seems like an unnecessary inconvenience.

The art of letter writing has also taken a hit with the soaring cost of first-class stamps. With a staggering price tag of £1.10, it seems that the joy of sending a heartfelt letter has become a luxury few can afford. We are hesitant to invest such a substantial amount for a single stamp. This leads us to opt for more affordable alternatives like emails or text messages. This exorbitant cost has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the tradition of letter writing, diminishing its once-intimate allure and contributing to its slow demise in our modern, cost-conscious society. My party was local so I hand-delivered my letter.

However, let’s not forget the joy that receiving a handwritten letter can bring. There’s something special about seeing your name scrawled across an envelope in someone’s handwriting. You know they took the time to sit down and write to you. It’s a personal touch that just can’t be replicated by an email or text message.

So, to all the postmen out there, I say this: Hang in there. Keep delivering those flyers and junk mail with a smile on your face. Maybe one day, the art of letter writing will make a comeback. And if it does, you’ll be the first to know – because you’ll be the one delivering all those heartfelt messages.

If you fancy another three minute read while you have a well deserved break, click here

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