Why I wrote hundreds of handwritten letters in 2019 & 2020

A return to analog

Rewind to 2019. Technology is widely available and has been happily embraced by nearly everyone. Why would I choose to write a handwritten letter every day for over a year?

The main purpose of this project was to bring joy to the people I sent letters to. Life can feel as heavy and overwhelming as an overstuffed backpack at the end of a steep hike; I wanted my letters to be a bright spot in a day that can feel drab and repetitive.

Another reason I had for writing so many letters was to connect without technology. Most of my communication is via text message; I wanted to make a very intentional change, and use letters as a way to connect in a much more intimate, personal way.

We are drowning in electronic communication--much of it is meaningless, and very little of it is of lasting value. None of it is tangible. I write letters because they embody all of the best aspects of communication. Letters are meaningful, intimate, private, tangible, and worth holding on to.

My third reason was to show my children that writing letters isn't just something that people "used to do," something they can only read about in history books. Even though letter writing isn't a necessary way to communicate anymore, I want them to see me fighting for the written word and the old-fashioned practice of writing letters.

My fourth reason for starting this project came to me while I was compiling my list of people I could write a letter to. Once I moved past family and close friends,  I realized that if I considered those who had shown kindness to me or served me in some way -- even if it was just once, or if I hadn't seen them in 20 years, I could write letters of gratitude to so many people. Teachers from college or high school. Those who have taught and loved my children. People who, just by doing their job--hello, mail carrier!--make my life better. I realized that I am surrounded by people who help me, and felt excited to express my gratitude to as many of them as I could

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My fifth reason for writing a daily letter hit me while I read a young mother's obituary a few years ago. Even though I didn't know her personally, I knew her parents and how much she was loved. Reading through all of the kind words that had been written about her by dozens of people she knew I kept thinking--did anyone tell her these things while she was alive? Do any of us say the things we would write in an obituary to that person, before they're gone? I want to express all the lovely thoughts I have about others, instead of keeping those kind comments in my head. Imagine your life if you regularly received in the mail letters from people you love, listing all the reasons why they love you. Our words truly are a gift. Let's not be stingy with them.