Do you have any paper goods saved? Those special handwritten letters, little notes, or postcards with encouragement and loved ones’ words? There is a lost art of letter writing. Thinking back to my grandparents’ generation, letters were a way of life. My grandparents went as far as writing physical books for their grandchildren! One last question, when did you last feel that surprising joy of opening the mailbox and there was a handwritten letter addressed to you?

I truly feel like the art of letter writing has become a true lost art. Settling myself at this little desk, with a fluttery heart and a stack of the loveliest, most romantical stationery, ready to pour my soul onto the page for a bosom friend (as Anne would say it). Sharing with the receiver of the ups and downs of life, encouragement or the silly memories you share!

Today, I think it’s time we revive this wonderfully personal act.  I may be biased, I do run a watercolor greeting card shop after all, but starting with simply getting a card, writing an unexpected note, and sending it off to someone who needs some encouragement, is a prime example of doing life with intention, slowly, and lovingly. Taking the time from the chaos of life to sit and calmly focus on the conversation with someone, thinking about each pen stroke and escaping into a world of descriptive words, will help our goal of living life a bit slower- how better to slow the moment down than sharing with love for another?

The Art of Letter Writing

Where do I begin when writing letters? Do I want to write to someone I know or find a new pen pal? I am still looking up safe, legal resources for finding a new pen pal. I will update this once I find out more information for you all! If you know any- let me know! Handwritten letter format is something that, with the speed and instant response of email and casualness of texting, has been forgotten. Let’s start there!

How to structure the perfect letter

Date and Place

This is as simple as laterally writing the date and your geographical locations
For Example:
1/10/2026 Skagit Valley, Washington

Warmest Salutation

“To my dearest love” “Heyyyy my bestie” “My momma, whom I love beyond words”

When you are writing your warm greeting, you want to begin with an acknowledgement of who is receiving your letter. Depending on how formal you are hoping to portray in the hand-written letter, find a wonderful sweet phrase to open your letter.

Body

Why you are writing this letter

This can be as simple as “I have this challenge to write loved ones letters throughout the year, and you are right at the top of my list,” or go into more detail about what has been happening in life, what new hobbies you’ve started, catching up like you would over a cup of coffee!

Inquire about life

One of the important parts of letter writing is making it appealing to respond to. This can be as simple as asking questions about life, giving encouragement to write back, or writing about subjects that encourage conversation. Think about those voice messages you send to your friends. If you want a response, give them something to respond to!

Future plans and hopes

Don’t forget the opportunity to start the conversation of making future plans, your hopes, your dreams or any fun ideas of places to travel! Use your imagination!

Closing

Heartfelt goodbyes

Finally ending this with a lovely farewell and your name at the end! This can give the reader the lasting impression of how you feel about them!

P.S. Don’t forget to sign your name!

Example (clearly I am oddly fascinated with Anne Shirley’s whimsy this evening):

My dearest Diana,
The house feels positively cavernous without you, as though every room is holding its breath waiting for your laughter to come home again. Even the Lake of Shining Waters looked a little subdued this morning, as if it knew its most appreciative admirer was far away on grand adventures. I told it I would write to you at once, so it needn’t feel quite so bereft.

Oh, Diana, I do hope you are having the most ravishingly delightful time. I imagine you stepping off trains and carriages with the air of a heroine beginning a new chapter—your eyes wide with wonder, your heart beating with the thrill of the unknown. I’m certain even the trees in those far‑off places must be whispering to one another, “There goes a girl who understands beauty.”

Life here continues in its usual fashion, though I try to embroider it with as much imagination as possible in your absence. Yesterday I walked the path behind Orchard Slope and pretended I was a brave explorer charting a mysterious land. It wasn’t quite the same without you beside me, gasping at the same moments and inventing the same improbable dangers, but I did my best. I even rescued a particularly noble-looking stick from the stream and christened it “Sir Cedric of the Willow Glen.” He is now propped beside my bed like a loyal sentinel.

Marilla says I ought to keep my feet on the ground, but I told her that one’s feet may be sensible while one’s mind soars. She gave me that look—you know the one—but I’m certain she was hiding a smile.

Do write to me the moment you can. Tell me everything—every sight, every sound, every feeling that fluttered through your heart. I want to live your adventures with you, even from afar. Until then, I shall think of you whenever the wind rustles the birches or the twilight turns the world that soft, wistful shade of lavender we both love.

Your devoted and ever-imaginative
Anne

The personal touch of a handwritten letter is so special. It is almost like a little time capsule- the letter can outlive you and are not easy to just “delete.” You can bring joy to another while also bringing a moment of calm in your own life.

If you are just as passionate about going analog as I am, letter writing is another fun little option for an aspect of life to start being more hands on.

I would love to hear about how you all are incorporating handwritten letters, cards, or postcards into your routines!