I love getting letters in the post; guessing the author from the handwriting on the envelop and checking out any stamps or stickers and that’s all before I’ve even opened it. It can feel like an effort to sit down and write a letter, but just like snuggling up with a good book, writing a letter offers time out of the daily routine to pause, reflect and do something intentional.
It doesn’t need to be a letter ten pages long. You could send a postcard to let someone know you’re thinking of them or to share a funny story. If you’re stuck for what to write you could include quotes, poems, stories, a recipe or a doodle. You could even decorate the pages and envelope with stamps, stickers and coloured inks if you like a good excuse to get creative. Or why not dust off the old typewriter in the attic and have a go a typing a letter.
So whether you’re looking to revamp your entire communication ethos or just level up some birthday cards, here are a few letter writing ideas to get you started.
A Thank you letter
Have you had a birthday present or a little gift for someone recently? Or maybe someone helped you move house or did an odd job for you at home or work. A little note can be a great, personal way to say thanks.
What’s the occasion?
A birthday, anniversary, wedding, new baby, new job… our lives are full of occasions, big and small, that mark the passing of time. If you’d usually send a card, swap it up for a letter and share a little more for the occasion.
A letter to an old friend
Is there someone you’re glad came into your life but that you don’t get to see much these days? Why not start up some old school pen-pal vibes and carve out a little time to write to each other instead.
A Letter to a relative
This could be to a parent, brother, sister, cousin… a friendly hello for the fun of getting letters in the post or a chance to reconnect. Sometimes it’s easier to write things down on paper than to speak them out loud.
A letter to your other half
You might see them every day (you might even work with them!) but it’s all too easy to focus on the practicalities of day to day life. Little notes around the house or a longer, more personal, letter can be a great way of touching base and focusing on each other again, at least until the food shop get’s delivered.
A letter to your child(ren)
What would you like your child(ren) to know when they grow up? Maybe it’s the funny things you don’t want to forget, your hopes for them as they grow or just all the very annoying things you want to remind them of when they are older (all in good humour, of course!) Keep it safe and give it to them when they are older.
Analogue sharing
Many of us rely on social media these days to see what our friends and family are up to. A letter can be a much more personal way of sharing news and experiences. Why not pop a photograph in with the letter for someone to put up and enjoy (instead of scroll and forget).
All over Eastbourne we have these beauties built into the walls. Who wouldn’t want to pop a letter into one of these! Keep an eye out for fun post boxes on your travels :-)
Other Letter Writing Ideas
Letter writing for journalling or wellbeing
Writing a letter you don’t intend to send can create a space for you to express any hopes, worries, frustrations, etc. that you don’t want to share out loud. If you’d like to try letter writing as part of your journalling practice, you could write a letter to yourself five years from now - what do you hope things might be like for you / in the world? Got something on your mind? Try writing a letter to someone who upset you to explain how you feel and why. These letters don’t need to be sent but writing your thoughts down on paper can be a helpful way of reflecting on them and finding a way to move forward.
From Me To You Letters
If you’d like to use your love of letter writing to help a good cause, this brilliant UK-based charity aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness for people living with cancer by supporting connection through hand-written letters. Find out more on their website.
Letter Writing Club at All Things Analogue
If you fancy writing with company, come and join us at our quarterly meet-up. Find out when our next Letter Writing Club is taking place on our ‘Workshops’ tab.