Letter Writing Workshop

I hosted a letter writing workshop at my local library this past weekend. We had a small intimate group attend which gave us the opportunity to share in our small group. People shared the letters they wrote - memories about writing letters - what writing letters meant to them personally.

I used the framework of More Love Letters - which I have been writing letters with for years. In December More Love Letters brings us 12 Days of Writing Letters. This time of year is challenging for many people. Writing letters to people who have had letters requested for them allows us the gift of sharing ourselves - reaching out to bring some comfort and care to others that are in need of encouragement at this time of year. The secret to writing letters is that - you as the letter writer receive just as much personally as the letter recipient.

Letter Writing Supplies

I provided materials that were for the taking. This is not necessary as you can use whatever letter writing materials that you have on hand. It does not need to be expensive at all. I choose to offer up holiday themed paper and cards as inspiration. I also did this as a holiday gift to the community. Going forward it is best if people provide their own writing materials. This way people can pick out what most resonates for them and also keeps the cost down for any one person as a host. I wanted to offer up ideas of things that might be used in letter writing. In the middle of one display was a vintage holiday puzzle that I did in keeping with the theme of sending hand written letters by mail.

Letter Writing Workshop

More Love Letters - founded by Hannah Brencher has a book she wrote about the founding of her organization. It is a hopeful and inspiring read showing us that a small act can in turn offer so much care to the world. Your library can most likely get a copy for you!

Letter Writing Workshop - My daughter Emma and Myself - Handmade Hat by Emma

My daughter Emma came to join me which was a great surprise and delight! We did not plan our color scheme of clothing. This often seems to happen to us through the years - most likely not by accident or chance. I made kite paper stars that were on all of the tables for people to take home with them. I made the Christmas Tree book from an old Charlotte’s Web paperback at a craft workshop at our library the day before. We had a Holiday Tea from Harney & Sons with gingersnap heart shaped cookies for the theme of More Love. We all decided that we had such a nice time writing letters together that we will do it again soon in another upcoming workshop. Have you enjoyed writing letters in your life? I hope that you might find that you also begin or renew your letter writing practice.

I opened the workshop with the following poem by David Whyte

Everything is Waiting for You

by David Whyte

Your great mistake is to act the drama

as if you were alone. As if life

were a progressive and cunning crime

with no witness to the tiny hidden

transgressions. To feel abandoned is to deny

the intimacy of your surroundings. Surely,

even you, at times, have felt the grand array;

the swelling presence, and the chorus, crowding

out your solo voice. You must note

the way the soap dish enables you,

or the window latch grants you courage.

Alertness is the hidden discipline of familiarity.

The stairs are your mentor of things

to come, the doors have always been there

to frighten you and invite you,

and the tiny speaker in the phone

is your dream-ladder to divinity.

Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease into the

conversation. The kettle is singing

even as it pours you a drink, the cooking pots

have left their arrogant aloofness and

seen the good in you at last. All the birds

and creatures of the world are unutterably

themselves. Everything is waiting for you.

Handwritten Letters

Healing Ink: The Therapeutic Power of Handwritten Letters

In a fast-paced world where technology often dictates the rhythm of our lives, there's a timeless and healing remedy waiting to be rediscovered – the art of handwritten letters. Beyond the tangible act of putting pen to paper, the process of writing and receiving handwritten letters has an unparalleled therapeutic impact on our mental and emotional well-being. Let's explore how this simple yet profound practice can be a healing balm for the soul in a world that often rushes past moments of reflection and connection.

Crafting Catharsis: Expressing the Unspoken

Handwritten letters offer a safe space for emotional expression. When faced with life's challenges, putting our thoughts on paper can be a cathartic experience. The act of writing allows us to explore and process our emotions, giving voice to feelings that may be difficult to express verbally. It becomes a form of self-therapy, enabling us to release pent-up emotions and find solace in the written word.

Mindful Reflection in a Digital Environment

In a world dominated by constant digital stimuli, the simple act of sitting down with a pen and paper encourages mindfulness. Writing a letter requires focus and intention, providing a break from the constant barrage of notifications and distractions. This intentional pause allows for reflection, helping individuals reconnect with their thoughts and emotions in a meaningful way.

Bridges Across Distances: Connection in a Letter

The physical distance between loved ones can often amplify feelings of isolation. Handwritten letters, however, serve as tangible bridges connecting hearts across miles. The anticipation of receiving a letter and the joy of reading words that carry the essence of a distant friend or family member can be profoundly comforting. It's a reminder that, even in the vastness of space, emotional closeness can be maintained through the written word.

Letter-Writing Rituals: An Act of Self-Care

The act of writing itself can become a therapeutic ritual. Carving out time for letter writing is a deliberate act of self-care, offering a break from the demands of daily life. Whether it's a few moments of solitude in the morning or a quiet evening reflection, this ritual becomes a mindful pause that nourishes the soul.

Building Bridges to the Past: Nostalgia's Healing Touch

Receiving a handwritten letter can transport us back in time, evoking feelings of nostalgia and connection to the past. As we read words that were carefully penned by someone we care about, it becomes a reminder of shared experiences, laughter, and love. Nostalgia, in this context, becomes a healing force, weaving the past into the present and offering a sense of continuity and comfort.

Spreading Positivity: The Ripple Effect of Handwritten Affection

The positive energy embedded in a handwritten letter has a ripple effect. Not only does it uplift the spirits of the sender and recipient, but it also extends its warmth to anyone who receives it. Handwritten letters, often shared and treasured, become carriers of positive energy, creating a network of healing connections in the world.

In a world that sometimes feels chaotic and disconnected, handwritten letters stand as a beacon of healing. Through the simple act of putting pen to paper, we can navigate the complexities of our emotions, forge connections, and create a tapestry of healing that transcends the limitations of time and space. We can embrace the therapeutic power of handwritten letters and allow the healing ink to mend the threads of our hearts.

Consider the Hands that Write this Letter

by Aracelis Girmay

Consider the hands
that write this letter.
The left palm pressed flat against the paper,
as it has done before, over my heart,
in peace or reverence
to the sea or some beautiful thing
I saw once, felt once: snow falling
like rice flung from the giants’ wedding,
or the strangest birds. & consider, then,
the right hand, & how it is a fist,
within which a sharpened utensil,
similar to the way I’ve held a spade,
match to the wick, the horse’s reins,
loping, the very fists
I’ve seen from the roads to Limay & Estelí.
For years, I have come to sit this way:
one hand open, one hand closed,
like a farmer who puts down seeds & gathers up
the food that comes from that farming.
Or, yes, it is like the way I’ve danced
with my left hand opened around a shoulder
& my right hand closed inside
of another hand. & how
I pray, I pray for this
to be my way: sweet
work alluded to in the body’s position
to its paper:
left hand, right hand
like an open eye, an eye closed:
one hand flat against the trapdoor,
the other hand knocking, knocking.

Lettres

Books To Read

To the Letter: A Celebration of the Lost Art of Letter Writing by Simon Garfield

The Art of the Handwritten Note: A Guide to Reclaiming Civilized Communication by Margaret Shepherd

The Missing Ink: The Lost Art of Handwriting, and Why It Still Matters by Philip Hensher

Snail Mail: Rediscovering the Art and Craft of Handmade Correspondence by Michelle Mackintosh

Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience compiled by Shaun Usher

The World Needs More Love Letters: All-in-One Stationery and Envelopes by Hannah Brencher

The Gift of a Letter by Alexandra Stoddard

These resources offer a mix of historical context, practical guidance, and creative inspiration for anyone interested in exploring or rediscovering the world of handwritten letters.

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