When was the last time you wrote a letter? It’s okay if you don’t remember. Until the advent of affordable internet services in India, maybe around 2005, I would write two letters every week. One to my paternal grandmother and one to my maternal grandmother. I was very close to both, and they loved listening to my stories and plans. I spent an hour every weekend putting my thoughts together and reflecting on the previous five days. I was selective with my sharing. There was only so much space on the Inland letterhead and I spent many minutes plucking the most important details from my head. Those messages were more than a means of communication. They were pieces of me, captured permanently, and they meant something to us all. While the benefits of reading are much spoken and researched about, less scholarly attention has been devoted to the benefits of putting our words to paper, specifically writing about ourselves or to one another. In my letters, I was journaling without knowing I was journaling. I was analyzing my ideas, choosing the meaningful ones, and arranging them into narratives that my grandmothers could connect to and understand. Writing messages (whether in letters, emails, or texts) allows us to be careful with our words. When we’re communicating verbally, there’s no backspace or delete button. We have one chance to get it right. But when written down, our words can have a major impact on the receiver and ourselves. My grandmothers treasured my letters till the end of their lives, sometimes re-reading old ones to remember. Research shows reflective, focused writing has great benefits: It helps clarify abstract ideas as it requires us to focus our attention, plan, reflect, and organize. It also helps with emotional healing, leaving you feeling happier and less negative. Here’s some advice to help you get started. Recommended Reads: How to Write a Meaningful Thank You Note by Christopher Littlefield Are your efforts to give thanks being misinterpreted? Here’s how to ensure the recipient feels appreciated. How to Write a Goodbye Email to Your Colleagues by Rebecca Zucker A farewell email is a best practice, and a way to thank and acknowledge your colleagues. How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like You (and Gets Noticed) by Elainy Mata Yes, there is a right way to do this. What Your Email Sign-Off Says About You by Kristi DePaul How you say goodbye matters. 12 Words for Experiences We Can’t Name in English by Tim Lomas While all languages have individual limitations, collectively, they can fill in some of our experiential gaps. Like what you see? This article is adapted from our weekly newsletter.
