Ever since I was a little kid, I loved writing letters and having pen pals. I would collect stationary and stickers and write/ decorate to my heart’s content. In my late teens/ early 20’s I was still writing letters although technology and emails soon took over my correspondence. Fast forward a decade or two and you’ll find me never separated from my smart phone and social media. However, every once in awhile I’ll get nostalgic and write an old fashioned note or letter to a friend. Little did I know that there is a movement to rekindle the love of letter writing! This month was the International Correspondence Writing Month (known as InCoWriMo) and participants took this pledge:
āI, [insert your name], clearly see the benefits of InCoWriMo participation, not only to me personally, but also to those who will receive my correspondence. InCoWriMo is a beneficial endeavor and worthy of my full attention. I hereby pledge to hand-write and mail/deliver one letter, card, note or postcard every day during the month of February.ā
I joined the challenge and made a bullet journal page to record whom I mailed a letter. I do confess that I didn’t have time to send a letter every night but I did send note cards out every few days to make up for it. I only have a few more days left of the challenge and although I won’t be sending a letter everyday once February is over, I would like to send a letter or note once a week to keep the practice alive. And while I’d never give up texting and video chatting, there’s something to be said about the joy of old school mail and why I will continue to use snail mail as well as instant communication. With that being said, here are my 5 Favorite Things about Letter Writing.
I save my letter writing for the late evening when the kids are in bed. The house is quiet and all I can hear is the scratch of my pen against paper. There is something soothing about slowing down and thinking about my words as I write them. I’ve always been better at thinking through written word than expressing my thoughts with my mouth.
While I love to write a note to a sister or close friend, there is also something special about writing to a pen pal who loves letter writing as much as you do. When I joined one of the Bullet Journal groups on Facebook, I noticed they also had a pen pal group for bullet journal users. There were hundreds of fellow bullet journals users from all different walks of life. I happened to connect with (the only other?) Catholic mom with many kids who shared many of the same interests. It was a joy to share many of the same interests and experiences. Her friendship has already been a blessing. š
It is also fun to write and share post cards with someone from another country. I am able to learn about the land and their culture and way of life. In return I have enjoyed sharing about my life here in the states. One woman I corresponded with lives close to where my father-in-law grew up in the former Yugoslavia. It makes you realize it really is a small world.
In the #RockYourHandwriting challenge, I had to write a book excerpt. I chose Capt. Wentworth’s letter to Anne from Persuasion. Swoon.
You know that feeling when you get a handwritten letter or card in the mail?? Well, I get to share that love with others. Whether I am writing a family member, an old friend, a soldier stationed overseas or a child in the hospital, there is someone who would love to receive some kind words and sisterly encouragement. (If you don’t know who to write to, there are plenty of suggestions below.)
With all of us doing so much typing and texting it is easy to forget how to write in cursive. It is also easy to forget the rules of grammar and spelling when spell check and auto correct are ready to fix our mistakes. When I write a letter I keep my phone next to me so I can quickly look up the correct spelling of a word. Writing it out on paper helps me to remember the spelling the second time around!
As for writing in cursive, I love handwriting but I do need to practice! It is also fun to experiment with trying different fonts and styles when addressing envelopes.
Want to Join Me?
Okay, so do you feel inspired to write a letter now? I added some links below that may help you get started. (Thanks to Monica for emailing me a lot of these.)
I was also thinking that although there are wonderful women in the bullet journal pen pal group I’m in, it would also be nice to connect with Catholic women who would enjoy sending snail mail to each other and praying for one another. There is something special about being able to share your faith with another person who loves it as deeply as you do. If this is something you’d be interested in, let me know and I’ll start a Facebook group where we could meet, connect and write. š (UPDATE: I started the group. Leave a comment if you want me to add you.)
Contest Fun!
The winner will receive 15 note cards including these. š
Lastly, I have been doing some spring cleaning and that included paring down my huge note card collection. I would love to choose one of you to receive a RAK (“random act of kindness”) selection of note cards to inspire you to send out some snail mail love. š To enter the contest, simply leave a comment telling me you want to be entered. Next weekend I will chose one winner. Have fun and good luck!
Here are links to inspire your letter writing sensibilities. š
- incowrimo.org – February
- lettermo.com – February
- writeoncampaign.com – April
- letterartscollective.wordpress.com– Monthly
- jenniferbelthoff.com/lovenotes – Quarterly
- Operation Gratitude – to soldiers
- Cardsforhospitalizedkids.com – to hospitalized kids
- moreloveletters.com – to a stranger facing a difficult situation
- swap-bot.com
- thepostalsociety.com
- pocketletterpals.com
- janeaustenletterwritingsociety.blogspot.com
- laurawatsonartwork.com/Laura_Watson_Artwork/Mail_Exchange.html
Oh, and one last thing, I’m linking with Ashley for this week’s Five Faves over at The Big White Farmhouse. She’s one of my favorite bloggers so hop on over and say hi! š
***UPDATE: The contest is over. Congrats to the winner Nanci!Ā š ***
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In other words, if you click on my affiliated links and make a purchase, I get a small compensation that goes towards keeping the blog online. Big hugs to those who click and help support the blog! xoxo š
I used to have a lot of pen pals when I was little. š
What fun. I’d love to enter. I still wonder about my pen pal I had as a kid.
I LOVED this post! Thank you so much for linking up!
I love letter writing…and receiving! I’d be interested if you do start a Facebook group for Catholic pen-pals.
I love writing letters! It’s something I’ve always done but has recently become a larger part of my life after a cross-country move took me far from friends and family. I’d also be very interested in the Catholic pen-pal Facebook group. š
I would so love to win these! I was diagnosed with Menieres Disease last fall, and had to quit my job as a fencing coach. I now find myself at home most of the time, but I can use my time for others by praying and writing encouraging letters.
I want to be entered. I would also be interested in the Catholic pen pal idea!!
Hi Bobbi! Thanks for the super cute post! I just love letters and the Catholic Pen Pal idea is fabulous! ; )
Ooooh! I’m in for a new pen pal! I too wonder what ever happened to my childhood pen pal. We corresponded from second grade through the early years of college.
Angela, I sent you an email invite to join the FB group. Let me know if you don’t get it. You can email me at rol (at) revolutionoflove.com if needed. š
Hello, Bobbi! Thank you so much for linking my Jane Austen Letter Writing Society in your article (which I loved , by the way!). I do want to let your readers know that I currently have a waiting list for those who still want to participate in the current Pen Friend exchange. All they need to do is to fill out an application (on my blog) and email it to me. As applications come in, I match them up with a partner, a pen friend.
Lady Pamela
Thank you for clarifying, Lady Pamela. I will be filling out a form as well. I love the whole idea of it! Thank you giving us the opportunity. Have a lovely day. š
I love this, Bobbi! I love writing letters (and receiving them) though I’m quite out of practice. I send a few earlier in Lent–your blog post is a reminder to pull out paper and pen once more… My best friend and I growing up wrote hundreds of letters to each other, and hubby and I did too for the long distance part of our dating relationship. I should do more writing…. š
I would like to be entered š
[…] February, as I mentioned in my previous post, I wrote a letter/card/postcard a day for the #incowrimo challenge and I practiced my writing in […]
I’d like to be entered!
I love those photos on your stationary!
Please add me to the group!
Hi Alexandra! I sent you an invite by email to join the group. š
Awesome thanks!
I came to your blog via friend who shared your bullet journal post with me. I was intrigued by the entry you had about pen pals so I looked through your blog to find out more. One of my resolutions for 2016 is to write more letters, so what a happy coincidence to find you!
Hi Tess, I am glad you stopped by! I sent you an email from FB to invite you to the group. Let me know if you don’t get it. š
[…] In February I did the #InCoWriMo Letter Writing Challenge […]
Hi! I just ran across your blog. I was wondering if I could join your FB group? I would love to start writing more letters. I am trying to write more to family, but I would also love a penpal! Thanks and I’m so happy I found your Blog!
Hi Tanya! Thanks for stopping by. I’d be happy to add you. Just email me the name and email address you use on FB. š
I would love to be added to FB penpal group for Catholic moms! š aljdrew at gmail
Amanda, I sent you an invite email from FB. Let me know if you don’t get it. š
I loved this article! I wasn’t really “in” to blogging when you posted this, so I missed it as it initially came out. I am now inspired to consider making a goal for 2017 to send more snail mail!
And, absolutely beautiful stationary… Alas, much of my pretty stuff got used up, or tossed/recycled/donated in our last move (since it hadn’t been used in years). So, if I do add letter writing to my list of 2017 goals, I may need to check out DaySpring (also a new company to me).
I love letter writing! It’s actually finding the time t do it that is the hard part. However, I definitely made an effort to increase my writing in 2016. It was a lot of fun. If you are in need of some more cute stationary/note cards, email me your address and I’ll send you a little packet of goodies. š