Just WRITE

“Sending letters and cards have been a part of us for as long as I can remember. Texting, social media and phone calls all work out just fine but there's this electric, yet very soothing energy that revolves around the art of writing the same down on paper, digging up an envelope, throwing in some stamps, lick-sealing it (Kidding, don't go there #papercut), seeing that beautiful red box, slipping it in, praying to all the Indian Post Gods ‘thou not leteth them goeth astray', hearing the khakhi attired person ring the cycle bell, see them walk in the gate, 'Sukumaretta, kathundo?' (‘Do I have letter?’), to which he'll nod. Your loved ones would run to the door, wind in their hair and take the letter to find a random LIC letter.” 

Quoting Flynn George coz I couldn’t put this any better.

Writing letters is fun, therapeutic, and has a much deeper meaning to the recipient than anything else. For that matter my husband proposed to me over a letter and I said yes through the same medium. There was a longer wait, anxiety and all of it but the excitement and smile at the end of it is undoubtedly the most beautiful memory for us.

Why write?

1. You feel more in touch with the person you are contacting.
2. You get to take a moment out of your hectic schedule to just breathe and write.
3. You tend to recollect and creatively write down even small incidents and look at things with a lot more perspective.
4. You get to practice your handwriting! (C’mon we barely write these days!)
5. You can use all your fun stationery supplies for a totally legitimate reason!

What to write?

Start by picturing the person and remembering what you admire, love, or appreciate about them. Don’t try to think of something clever. Just take enough time for reflection to go beyond superficial platitudes. Anything that can remind you of fun experiences you’ve had together, shared jokes, etc. Then go with your heart, and go with the flow.

Who should you write to?

Your Grandparents – Come on, if they can learn how to text for you then you can throw them a bone and write a damn letter every now and again. You will be making them very happy and you know it.

Pen Pals – Bond with a stranger over a similar interest!

Celebrities – Yes. I’ve done this too! If you think that a performer has done a particularly great job in a role, send some fan letter! If you appreciate the work a philanthropist has done, shoot a letter their way thanking them for their efforts to make the world a better place. Be an encouraging force!

Bloggers – I know I would love to receive mail from you folks! My address is at the bottom of this post if you’d like to send me a letter!

Friends – This is great for friends who live far away! I know I have my fair share of those.

Yourself – Nothing is quite as emotional as receiving a letter from you. When I was in high school, my English class had an assignment where we wrote a letter to future us, and I happened to read it recently. It was funny, sweet and nostalgic. 

It is with all this that I stumbled into the idea of Glyndles. There is something incredibly beautiful, authentic and tactile about this medium that is sadly dying. When I started I was hoping I’d be able to send across at least 30 cards but now to realize that over 200 cards (and still counting) will be reaching different people in different parts is truly overwhelming. I dedicate this season to Mummy Lin for nurturing this love for writing in me and Flynn.