The Lost Art of Letter Writing
There was a time when love and Yearning traveled on paper. Emotions once traveled in envelopes, carried by postmen, and opened with trembling hands. People felt every word, and each curve of handwriting radiated warmth, care, and sincerity
Before instant messages and buzzing notifications, there was a beautiful silence, the quiet joy of waiting for a letter, of unfolding it slowly, of reading the same words again and again until they felt like a heartbeat.
Our simple life, simple words, simple relationships, simple living, and simple writings has turned into modern life, straightforward language, money-driven relationships, reliance on inventions, and communication online.
Everything has changed. By losing a few things, we have gained many. Among the things we’ve lost is the habit of writing letters to our loved ones, which has now been reduced to searching online for “letter art,” “resignation letter examples,” or “job application letters.”
The History of Letter Writing
Letter writing has been an essential form of communication for centuries, connecting people across distances and generations. From handwritten messages carried by messengers to carefully composed letters exchanged between loved ones, letters conveyed emotions, information, and intentions in ways no other medium could.
Over time, styles and formats evolved, from personal notes to formal correspondence, and eventually to professional letters like job applications and resignation notices. Despite modern technology and instant messaging, the history of letters reminds us of the care, thought, and human connection once embedded in every written word.
Tradition of Learning How to write a letter
There was a beautiful tradition among parents in those days; they would teach their children how to write a letter. It wasn’t just about learning to write; it was about expressing feelings through words, showing respect, building emotional connections, and holding strong relations.
I still remember, I was in class two when my mother lovingly insisted that I write a letter to my beloved uncle. At first, I was a little nervous, but as I began to write, excitement took over. I carefully chose each word and wrote the letter very happily and wholeheartedly. It was a small piece of paper, yet it carried all my love and innocence within it.
I wish I still had that letter with me, so I could see what innocent mistakes I must have made in it.
The Effort And Emotion Behind Every Word
Just think, even in this era, when we send a single message, we often edit it two or three times to make sure there are no mistakes. Can you imagine how much effort it must have taken to write a letter? So many sheets of paper must have been wasted in creating that final, love-filled letter, and so much time must have been spent choosing the right words.
Unlike a quick text message or an email, writing a letter took time. From choosing the right paper to carefully forming each word, every step held meaning. A handwritten letter wasn’t just about the words; it was about the person behind them. The way someone’s handwriting leaned, the smudges of ink, the scent of the paper, all these tiny details carried emotions that a simple ‘Hi’ in a chat box never could.
The moments of waiting are the hardest of all.
It’s no wonder so many poets have written songs and poetry about letters, because those letters carried deep emotions. Writing them might have taken only a few hours, but the wait for a reply… it was all about waiting, waiting, and nothing but waiting.
Both South Asian and Western cultures have many beautiful songs about letters. I must share some of my favorite lines…
Wait! Oh yes, wait a minute, Mr. Postman!
(Wait!) Wait, Mr. Postman!
Please, Mr. Postman, look and see,
Is there a letter, a letter for me?
I’ve been waiting such a long time,
Since I heard from that boy of mine.
There must be some word today,
From my boyfriend so far away…
Alas! No postman, no postbox is more…In the past, receiving a letter wasn’t instant. It took days, sometimes weeks, for a letter to reach its destination. But wasn’t that waiting a part of the excitement? The anticipation, the curiosity, the joy of unfolding a letter, it was all part of a deeply personal experience. Today, everything is instant, but in that speed, we have lost the magic of longing and appreciation.
A Letter Was a Piece of the Heart
When people wrote letters, they poured their hearts into them. Whether it was a love letter filled with unsaid emotions, a letter from a soldier to his family, a faraway married sister to their siblings, or parents, and even a simple note between childhood friends, each word mattered. Letters had the power to make people laugh, cry, and feel loved, even from miles away.
The Digital Age: Fast but Forgettable
Technology has made communication easier, but has it made it more meaningful? A letter could be stored, re-read, and treasured for years, while most digital messages are forgotten within days. Have you ever scrolled through old messages and felt the same warmth as holding an old letter? Probably not. The lack of effort in digital communication has made words feel lighter, less valuable.
Imagine a newly married couple in the old days.
The husband had to leave home to earn a living. Once he was gone, even if they stayed connected, it was usually through a single letter each month , no voice messages, no video calls, no long call packages. They could only see and hear each other through those handwritten letters.
When he finally returned home after months, there was a sweetness and freshness in their relationship. Their eyes hadn’t grown tired of seeing each other, nor had their ears grown weary from constant voice messages. In their bond, there still remained that beautiful sense of respect, shyness, and longing. They never grew tired of each other so easily.
Today’s modern inventions have indeed brought us closer, yet, in a strange way, they’ve also pushed us farther apart. We talk so often, and yet, somehow, we no longer feel like talking.
Modern inventions, instead of bringing only ease, have also increased quarrels between people.
“I called you three times , why didn’t you answer?”
“You read my message but didn’t reply!”
“Your last seen was an hour ago — why didn’t you respond?”
Such small things have become the roots of countless misunderstandings today.
Can We Bring It Back?
I wish I could bring those days back, but people’s attitudes have changed.
Today, letter writing has mostly been confined to classrooms, where students learn formats in schools and colleges, or to professional contexts, such as drafting resignation letters or job applications.
In fact, people even use AI to write their letters now, type it into Google, and you get a ready-made letter in seconds, but what can we do… “Relationships aren’t something that can be ready-made.”
While technology will always be a part of our lives, the beauty of letter writing doesn’t have to fade away. On the next special occasion, whether it’s someone’s birthday, an anniversary, or just a moment when your heart feels full, try writing a few heartfelt lines by hand. Don’t send a forwarded message or a templated text; instead, let your own words carry your feelings.
Imagine the joy of your loved one unfolding a handwritten note, reading your emotions in every curve of your handwriting, feeling the warmth of your heart through the ink. That simple piece of paper can hold more love than a thousand digital messages ever could. Because sometimes, the smallest handwritten letter can say what no screen ever will.
Maybe we can’t bring back the old days, but we can keep their spirit alive. The next time you have something to say, write it on paper. Seal it with sincerity, and let your words travel the way hearts once did, slowly, softly, and with love.
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