Twenty years ago if you wanted to thank someone for a gift, you either had to pick up the phone or send them a handwritten letter. Technology has now made it incredibly easy for us to send quick messages in the blink of an eye.
Whether it’s a text or even an e-card greeting, it’s easier than ever before to tell someone special how much you care. Yet, as we move further into the future, there’s still a thrill that you feel when you receive something in the mail.
For those who are completely dependent on using digital forms to communicate, keep reading. We’re sharing why sometimes sending physical mail to share how you feel is better.
It’s a Special Gift
Taking the time to sit down and write something on paper makes whatever message you’re sending more meaningful. It’s also more meaningful because unlike sending a text, it actually takes effort.
Getting something in the mail is now exciting. Most of us just get a bunch of junk mail and bills. When we receive an actual letter from someone we care about, it feels like a gift has been given to us.
It’s More Memorable
You can’t hang a text on your refrigerator to view anytime you want to. It’s also harder to keep track of if you receive a lot of texts or emails from a specific person.
But when you receive physical mail, it’s all that more memorable. You can frame it, keep it somewhere special, or tear it to pieces. No matter what, it will be more memorable than any text or email could ever be.
It Shows You Care
A text is easy to send. It takes very little effort. You just write a quick note and then push send.
With physical mail, you have to sit down and write a letter. Then you have to find an envelope, address it properly and find a stamp. Then, you actually have to leave your home and find a mailbox in which to place the letter.
The extra effort shows you care about the recipient. Often, a specific card has been chosen for the occasion. Meaning, extra time has been taken to find the right words to convey how you feel about the recipient.
Even sending a postcard shows the recipient you took the time to write out your thoughts.
Research Shows it Makes People Happier
Most people who take the time to use physical mail do so because they want to write to people they care about. Often, they are writing to express their gratitude or thanks towards the other person.
Writing your feelings of gratitude has a lot of extra benefits for the writer. It helps them lower stress levels, gain a new perspective, and focus on what really matters.
The Recipient Will Find It Easier to Understand
The worst part about texts and emails is how often someone misunderstands the tone. Worse yet is when spell-check doesn’t work and suddenly your entire message is completely wrong.
When you send physical mail, there are no unexpected typos. Letters are also better thought out because there’s no room to make mistakes. When you write a letter, there’s no backspace or delete button.
Writing letters forces people to focus more on the message they are sending to the recipient. There are fewer opportunities for the tone to be misconstrued.
Helps You Practice Your Handwriting
Many of us had to learn cursive writing when we were in grade school. Now most of us spend our time typing rather than writing. Cursive is now a lost art form.
It also seems as though regular writing is becoming something of a lost art form. However, when you choose to use physical mail, most of us choose to send a handwritten note rather than a typed letter.
Which makes it the perfect opportunity to make sure your handwriting is still legible and you can practice your cursive.
It’s More Personal
Imagine getting a letter from your grandmother. She hasn’t been a part of your life before but in that letter, she pours her heart out. Now imagine getting that same information in a text or email.
Obviously, you would get far more out of the physical letter. That’s because you’re on the receiving end of the working of that unique individual. You’ll be able to hear their tone because it’s a longer form and more thought out. You’ll also see their unique handwriting.
While the writer isn’t actually there with you when you read their letter, the bits and pieces the writer put into the letter create the illusion that they’re there with you. Sending a handwritten letter is like giving a small piece of yourself to the recipient.
Helps You Write What Truly Matters
When people text or email, they’re usually reacting to something someone else sent them. Often, the reaction can be over the top if the news is bad or they’re having a bad day.
Texting and emailing are best when you need information quickly. But writing letters is far more deliberate.
You send physical mail to give something to someone. It’s rarely done with the intention to receive anything back. Which means you’re more likely to write in your letter how you truly feel and what truly matters to you.
It’s More Romantic
Imagine getting a text from your boyfriend telling you he loves you. While that’s great, imagine getting a card from him in the physical mail with a heart-shaped letter stating all the reasons why he loves you.
Writing down why you care for someone is far more romantic than any text or e-card you could ever send. By taking the time to write out your thoughts and feelings and then mailing it, it shows you truly care.
It’s a Tradition
Letter writing has long been a tradition of ours. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson wrote long letters back and forth to one another.
Martin Luther King, Jr wrote, “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” which captured the spirit of the American Civil Rights Movement. The letters sent between Napoleon and his love, Joséphine, are among so of the most romantic words ever written.
Our ancestors recognized the importance of letter writing. Whether to persuade, woo, or merely congratulate, it’s a time-honored tradition that should never be lost to modern technology.
Older Generations Prefer Receiving Mail
The digital age is still extremely new. For Millenials and younger generations, they grew up being able to easily communicate with one another.
Yet, older generations relied on receiving physical mail as their primary way to communicate with one another. Especially during wartime.
Which means older generations appreciate the effort it takes to write and send a letter. They also love being able to slice open a card or letter that’s been sent specifically to them.
It Creates Lasting Memories
Studies show there’s an association between writing by hand and brain development and cognition. Writing by hand increases neural activity more than typing can.
When you learn, it’s easier to retain information if you handwrite notecards and study guides. When you choose to send physical mail, you’re creating a memory for yourself that will allow you both to reflect back and appreciate the gesture for a long time in the future.
Physical Mail Sparks Creativity
When you use a pen and start writing on a piece of paper, you need to use your visual, motor, and cognitive brain processes differently than when you write a text or email.
Writing a physical letter or postcard is also more labor-intensive. It requires us to slow down, think, and write one word at a time. You’ll receive a sensory experience just by the mere act of writing. Which means as you write, your creative juices will start flowing.
You’ll Get to Unplug
Today’s world is increasingly complicated. There are so many options to choose from. New ways to make our lives easier that sometimes seem to complicate them even more.
When you write a letter, it’s time to revisit a simpler time. In order to write a decent letter, you have to unplug from everything that’s going on in your life.
Your thoughts need time to be processed in a way so that your letter makes sense. It’s a great way to unplug and do something special for yourself and someone else.
It’s Easy to Do
Pens, paper, and stamps are all extremely inexpensive. Most people already have everything they need already at home.
All that’s needed is the time it takes to grab the items you need and then a few moments to sit down and figure out what you want to say. It’s a simple gesture that’s extremely easy to do and yet produces great results.
Don’t think you need to write the next great American novel in your letter. Even just writing the words, “you’re in my thoughts” can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
We Help Make it Even Easier
We can help make writing a letter even easier. We have great designs to make your card stand out.
Best of all, you don’t even need to find a post office. We can help you send out your card to anyone, anywhere in the world. Click here to get started.
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