Letters and messages
Messages are quick and constant. A letter is slow and rare. Each has a place, and the letter is worth reviving.
We send more messages than any generation before us. A message takes seconds, arrives straight away and fits into the gaps of the day. It is a wonderful thing. But it is not the same as a letter.
What a message does well#
- It is fast.
- It keeps a conversation going.
- It lets you share small moments easily.
- It is easy to reply to.
For daily contact with people you care about, nothing beats it.
What a letter does#
A letter works differently. It takes time to write, so people tend to think before they begin. It arrives days later, so it cannot be a reaction. It has to stand on its own.
That makes it feel special. A letter says that you sat down, set aside a little time and gave someone your full attention.
It is also something you can keep. People hold on to letters for decades and read them again. Few of us reread a message from years ago.
Why it feels more personal#
Handwriting carries the writer with it: the shape of the letters, a crossing-out, the way a line slopes. These small marks make the letter feel like a piece of the person.
How to start#
You do not need to write well, or for long. Half a page is plenty.
- Pick one person. An old friend, a relative or someone you have lost touch with.
- Write about ordinary things. What you have been doing, what you have noticed, something you are looking forward to.
- Say something you have not said. A memory, a thank-you or a question.
- Post it. The wait for a reply is part of the charm.
A good balance#
Keep your messages for the daily chatter. Use letters for the things that matter. You might find that the person who gets one is more delighted than you expected, and that you enjoy writing it more than you thought.