The Unspoken Art of Letter-Writing

Often in life, we find ourselves unable to put into words the emotions we are feeling. Love, sadness, happiness, ecstasy, desire, anger, and a million other sensations swirl around our brains in peak moments of joy and despair. I know how overwhelming the human mind can be, and I’ve found that writing is the cure to overthinking. 

When I feel something, I really feel it. The joy I receive from a good laugh with a friend lights my heart with warmth for the rest of the day. A particularly romantic day with my boyfriend makes my heart burst with love and affection. For better or for worse, the dark emotions fill my brain in the same manner. A bout of homesickness leaves me feeling drained and fatigued. Getting into an argument with a friend makes me jittery, disappointed, and guilty. 

In order to process these emotions, I write letters. As emotions (both positive and negative) tangle the wires of my mind, I sit down and put pen to paper. You will be amazed at how letting your feelings flow onto the page makes you feel. It’s a truly gratifying, calming sensation. 

Writing letters to the people that trigger, support, or muddle your emotions is a fantastic way to sort them out. Moreover, writing letters to those you love, miss, or want to make up with is the perfect way to make your feelings known.

A thought-out, sincere letter can calm nerves, dissuade anger, and make a heart bloom with love. In a letter, you can tell your lover every aspect of them that makes you smile. You can wipe away tears, spark a grin, and initiate laughter. In a letter, every word is clear. Every thought is defined. Every emotion is present. 

This fall is the perfect time to practice your letter-writing skills. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, we all have people we miss more than we can properly express. Whether you want to write to your parents back home or your friends halfway across the country, a letter is the perfect way to let someone know that you’re sending them a bit of extra love. Yes, a text message is faster. But a letter is infinitely more meaningful. 

Take the time this week to send a loved one a letter. Share the warmth and let your feelings be known — you won’t regret it. 

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