Every September 1st, the world celebrates World Letter Writing Day. This day is dedicated to reviving the art of handwriting, a form of communication that has existed since ancient times. In this digital age, where instant messaging and email dominate, World Letter Writing Day invites us to relive the beauty and intimacy of writing letters with pen and paper.
History of World Letter Writing Day
World Letter Writing Day was first introduced by Richard Simpkin, an Australian writer, artist and photographer, in 2014. The inspiration for creating this day came from his personal project called “Australian Legends”. In the project, Richard sent letters to various figures he considered to be Australian legends, with the aim of arranging interviews and photography sessions. From this experience, he realized how special it was to receive a handwritten letter and wanted to share that joy with the world.
Why is Writing Letters Important?
Writing letters by hand has many benefits that are often overlooked in this digital age. Here are some reasons why writing letters is important:
- Improve Writing Skills : Writing letters helps us to be more careful in choosing words and constructing sentences. This can improve our overall writing skills.
- Building Emotional Connections : Handwritten letters have a personal touch that digital messages can’t match. Reading a letter from someone we care about can bring a feeling of warmth and closeness.
- Reduce Stress : Writing a letter can be a calming activity and help reduce stress. The process of writing by hand can have a meditative effect that calms the mind.
- Increase Creativity : Writing letters allows us to express ourselves in a creative way. We can add pictures, stickers, or even perfume to our letters.
How to Celebrate World Letter Writing Day
There are many ways to celebrate World Letter Writing Day. Here are some ideas you can try:
- Write a Letter to a Friend or Family Member : Grab a pen and paper, and write a letter to someone you care about. Tell them about your day, share a fond memory, or simply say thank you.
- Hold a Letter Writing Workshop : If you have a community or group of friends, you can hold a letter writing workshop. Invite them to learn how to write a good and correct letter.
- Write a Letter to Yourself : Writing a letter to yourself can be a great way to reflect. Write about your dreams, goals, or things you are grateful for.
- Participating in Social Activities : Many organizations hold letter writing activities for social purposes, such as sending letters to patients in hospitals or to soldiers serving overseas.
Writing Letters in the Digital Age
Even though we live in a digital age, handwriting is still relevant and holds a special place in the hearts of many people. In fact, some people are combining technology with the art of letter writing. For example, there are applications that allow us to write letters digitally, print them, and send them through the mail.
In addition, social media can also be used to promote World Letter Writing Day. You can share photos of letters you write, use special hashtags, or even make videos about your letter writing experience.
The Benefits of Writing Letters in the Digital Age
Writing letters in the digital age still has many benefits that are often overlooked. Here are some of them:
- Improve Writing Skills : Writing letters helps us be more careful in choosing words and constructing sentences, which can improve our overall writing skills.
- Building Emotional Connections : Handwritten letters have a personal touch that digital messages can’t match. Reading a letter from someone we care about can bring a feeling of warmth and closeness.
- Reduce Stress : Writing a letter can be a calming activity and help reduce stress. The process of writing by hand can have a meditative effect that calms the mind.
- Increase Creativity : Writing letters allows us to express ourselves in a creative way. We can add pictures, stickers, or even perfume to our letters.
- Respecting Time and Effort : Writing a letter takes more time and effort than sending an instant message. It shows that we really care and value the person we are writing to.
- Documentation and Memories : Handwritten letters can be kept as precious memories. They can be evidence of our personal history and relationships with others.
- Improve Focus and Concentration : Writing a letter requires more focus and concentration than typing a message on a phone or computer. This can help us train our ability to focus and pay attention to detail.
Even though technology has changed the way we communicate, letter writing still holds a special place in the hearts of many people. In fact, some people combine technology with the art of letter writing, such as using apps to write letters digitally and print them out to send in the mail.
Conclusion
World Letter Writing Day on September 1st is a great opportunity to revive the art of handwriting. It is a time to appreciate the beauty and intimacy that only a handwritten letter can provide. Let’s use this day to write letters to our loved ones, build emotional connections, and celebrate the art of letter writing.
We hope this article is helpful and inspires you to celebrate World Letter Writing Day in a meaningful way!
