Considering letter writing

[IliveonCoffee]

I'm thinking of trying to kill 2 birds with one stone.

I need to get out more. I work from home and don't go anywhere. I don't 'go for a walk' on my own without a purpose. I did think (and only think) about walking to the shop every day, just to get out and give me a purpose, but its obviously not an essential shop everytime.

2nd issue is I can be quite bad at keeping in contact. Worse I think because of lockdown, I desperately want to stay in contact but then I just...don't.

So I was thinking, putting pen to paper, writing to various friends and family, and then every day or so, walk to the postbox.

But I thinking, would this be all great for a week...but then no-one would write back. At best, send a text thanking me for the letter...

If you got one, would you think aww how nice to get a letter in the post, or what weirdo sends letters? Would you reply in kind?

Yanbu - send letters, I'd love to get one
Yabu - what a waste of a stamp.

I've been doing this.

But I get far fewer back than I send. That doesn't matter to me though, as I simply enjoy the writing,

They've knocked a house down on my usual walking route and are re-building one on the same site it. I like to walk past and check out their progress, so being a bit nosy helps I think.

I'm also on crocus watch along the sides of the road. We're starting to get some leaves poking through and promptly being buried in snow!

@LEELULUMPKIN that looks fun, do you ever worry about random people having your address though? Or is that being a bit paranoid..

www.postpals.co.uk/

Post Pals is a charity where you can send cards or letters to children with serious illnesses or their siblings to help brighten up their day a bit. I've done it before at Christmas time.

@LEELULUMPKIN I was also coming on to recommend postcrossing!

OP definitely do it, I’ve been writing more for the same reason and also walk to different post boxes which changes my walking route. I also find podcasts help me walk if I find something I want to listen to, I see the podcast listening as the ‘purpose’ of that half hour iyswim. I also look up local history to find something to go and have a look at - it could just be a plaque or even an old tree or something but at least I’m going somewhere!

It’s a lovely idea, though in all honesty I probably wouldn’t write back. All my friends and family are on WhatsApp and Messenger groups and we talk all the time. I wouldn’t know what to write to them about!

@Persephoned local history is a good idea

I had vague ideas around December about getting a camera and taking pictures, but I think my partner and I came to the conclusion I'd never actually go...

I think, with visiting the postbox it feels like it has a deadline to it. Like no point writing a letter about your week to send it 3 weeks time!

It seems generally people would be happy to receive something, I think I'll definitely send something to various people, but also look at something like prison letters and pen pals so I actually have a high chance of getting something back!

@covetingthepreciousthings I did at first which I think is purely natural but as I said in a PP in over 3000 cards both sent and received from all over the world, I can honestly say that I have never had a single weird or dodgy thing happen.

I started doing it as I felt I was losing myself being a full time carer for DS 15 and it has really opened up my world.

I've "met" some amazing people from all walks of life whom never in a million years would I in reality.

In fact I am sitting at my PC in front of a wall of my favourite postcards and every time I look at them they make me smile and remind me just how alike we all really are basically.

Many people believe on Postcrossing that if the whole world did it, the world would be a much more kinder, understanding place. :)

I love some of these replies!

I started letter writing when I became an isolated SAHM many years ago and wrote to other new mums, and haven’t stopped writing letters: it grew to become a hobby. If you go on FB and search for “penpals“ or something, a lot of sites will come up. It’s very popular with all ages, including those in their 20s who are often very creative. I’m not but am addicted to beautiful stationery..and washi tape.. but that’s a whole different story.

I’ve made loads of great friends through letters, several of whom have become close friends and who I also meet irl (when allowed). Imagine the joy of getting letters which aren’t bills or junk mail! You’ll either take to it or you won’t but it will be fun even for a while.

In all the time Ive written, I’ve never once had problems with sharing my postal address.

Have ordered some notecards on the hack of this thread. Will make a change from a lined legal pad nicked from work. I nearly ordered some personalised writing paper for £25 but caught onto myself just in time. I'm not that inspired

What about this - International Pen Friends?

www.ipfworld.com/

Funnily enough i've had 2 unexpected letters in the post in the last 10 days. Having not had any for years (usually texts/emails etc) and they made me so happy!.. not only because i used to write letters a lot back in the day, but because those people had made the effort to sit down, then go buy a stamp and walk to a post box.. means a lot more then a quick text!

This has reminded me how much I used to enjoy writing and receiving letters when I was younger (pre internet and mobile phones!). I still have a collection of letters I received from my best friends from home whilst I was away at uni. Perhaps I'll get some nice letter writing paper tomorrow ....

So @LEELULUMPKIN I’ve joined postcrossing - very excited! Am I right in thinking the best option for worldwide postage are the £1.70 international Royal Mail postage stamps? They seem to work worldwide for small letters. Thank you for inspiring me!

@Lemming20 I'm going to sign up, but glad you asked about postage as that was my main concern!

Nice idea but I'd run out f people to write to after a couple weeks even if I was doing obe letter a day. Plus I wrote 50 Christmas cards and caught up with all the news in those! And I doubt people would write back, I'd just get a few texts.

@LEELULUMPKIN I signed up to post crossing, is the only way I can send international postcards by visiting the post office? I hoped I could get the postage online from Royal Mail to avoid the queues for a single postcard.

I'm really excited about sending it though!