The Thoughtful Neighbor

It’s been a few months after getting married, and we have been busy writing thank you notes. Treating this not as something I “have” to do but “get” to do makes this activity so special. Each letter I write reminds me of someone in my life who showed up for me and it fills my heart with gratitude. Hand written notes don’t have to be lengthy, written on special paper, or written only for occasions such as birthdays. These can be small notes sent when you are just thinking of someone and can touch their heart in ways a text may not. Handwritten notes foster gratitude and real connection.

Let’s look at a few reasons I think we should still write handwritten letters and tips to make it easier to remember and send letters.

Why a Handwritten Note?

Gratitude

Gratitude is one of the most important ingredients to a happy life. When I write a thank you note, it reminds me to be grateful for that person I have in my life or a gift I received. When someone receives a handwritten note, regardless of how simple, it will be a welcomed surprise. I know this because of how I have felt receiving a letter in the mail that is not spam, bills, or advertising. And my mom expressed so much gratitude after receiving letters in the mail from friends when we lost our grandmother. She was grateful to know that with each phone call and letter, people were showing up.

Connection

In a world with so much online connection, a written note has the unique ability to create connection that people feel more deeply. Facebook and Instagram are not personable. People may have 100s of friends that they do not have the ability to keep up with personally, except see and like a photo. It’s nice to be able to keep up with so many people, but a letter is more than “keeping up”. It’s personal and purposeful.

Tips for Handwritten Letters

-Keep stamps on hand
-Write with a goal of one letter a week or month
-Make a list of people in your life you want to write to
-Don’t wait for “perfect” stationary, you can use something small and simple
-Consider buying a bulk set of small stationary, like the size of an index card

When writing letters to my bridesmaids, I wanted to do something extra special to show what their friendship means to me. Some extra things you can add to a letter to make it more special are a spritz of perfume, a wax seal, or maybe a small treat inside like a bookmark or flower seeds.