Style - Hope's How-To

In the mere twenty something years that have passed since I first graced the earth with my presence, there are several things in the world that have seen great progress, but here's one thing that hasn't: The art of personal communication. In fact, if anything, I'd say we as a society have regressed when it comes to communicating.

It would appear — the exception being few — that gone are the people who favour writing lengthy love letters and handwritten thank-you cards. Today it's more likely that you'll be the recipient of a text message, or an email (if you're lucky). And why is that? Have we really become such slaves to technology that we're too lazy to write long-form? Or perhaps, more accurately, we've become so accustomed to computers and mobile devices that we've actually waxed afraid or forgotten how to communicate IRL (that's text-speak for In Real Life, duh).

Should you choose to accept it, here's a challenge for this week: Write a letter or a thank you card to someone you care about. It doesn't have to be long-winded; it doesn't have encompass your every thought; just make it sincere, and it will be beautiful. Too often I think we take for granted the people who surround us and who support us. And in a world where sincerity is more rare than an authentic Hermes ostrich Birkin bag, a handwritten note is something that will be cherished (if the person to whom you're writing has a heart).

Here are some tips on how to write a card or letter:

1. Decide what you want to say. Is this a thank you card? Will this be a note of kindness?
2. Pick up a pen, paper, and put down your thoughts. Sometimes it takes the right stationary and writing utensil to get you in the writing mood.
3. To start, keep it brief. Sometimes in life, the easier a task is, the more frequently we'll be apt to do it. So if it's a been a while since you composed a piece of snail mail, keep it short. Trust me, you'll feel more inspired to write again if your first composition isn't daunting and drawn-out.
4. Salutations and closings are important. "Hey, what's up?" is quite casual for this exercise, but if that's you, then go to it. A safe salutation is usually your recipient's first name followed by a comma. For a closing, be true to what's on your heart. Jane Austen closed much of her correspondence with, "Yours affec'y" (Yours Affectionately).
5. Put the note in the mail. This is key. Yes, it's easy to put a card on a co-workers desk, or drop off a letter to a friend's house, but there's a feeling unmatched to that of pulling your mail out of your mailbox and seeing a stamped letter addressed to you.