Letter Writing - A Lost Art?

When was the last time you wrote a letter on paper?

From age eight, my aunt insisted I write her one or two letters each month, despite seeing her every other Sunday. I never understood why—until, after her passing, I discovered she’d saved every letter. Handwritten letters offered a lasting, personal touch. The worn pages spoke of rereading and remembrance.

Letter writing is often considered a lost art as it has largely been replaced by faster, more convenient forms of digital communication like texting, emailing, and instant messaging. Here are several reasons why it's seen this way:

1. Speed and Convenience: Digital communication is instantaneous, whereas letters take time to write, send, and receive.
   
   
2. Changing Social Norms: People now often prioritize brevity and efficiency over formality and reflection, which traditional letter writing required.
   
   
3. Technological Advancement: Smartphones, social media, and apps have made it easier to stay in touch. 
   
   
4. Educational Shifts: Schools now emphasize digital literacy over cursive writing and formal letter writing. So, fewer young people learn how to write traditional letters.
   
   
5. Cost and Effort: Buying stamps, envelopes, and physically mailing a letter is more effortful than tapping "send" on a screen.
   
   
6. Ephemeral Culture: Modern communication is more transient and disposable, while letters are tangible and lasting—something that no longer fits many people's fast-paced lives.
   
   

That said, many still appreciate letter writing for its personal, thoughtful, and tactile qualities. Some people even see it as a form of self-expression or emotional connection that's hard to replicate digitally.