There are many times when etiquette and custom and sentimentality call for a handwritten note. There is something so much more personal—more intimate—more special about going to the trouble to write something by hand, especially thank you notes and sympathy notes. The receivers of handwritten notes say they love just holding them, re-reading them, visualizing the act of the sender sitting down, thinking of them, and writing to them. Getting a handwritten note is like getting a piece of the sender’s heart. We’re treading on sacred ground here.
But for every rule, there are exceptions, especially when the “rule” is keeping you from communicating at all! Maybe you just have a mental block and you don’t ever get around to all those steps: find a piece of paper, find a matching envelope, find a writing implement, find paper again because you put it down somewhere while you were looking for a writing implement. You get the picture.
And stamps? Surely you jest…
The computer’s right here and I can zap off an email in no time. I would always maintain that electronic communication is better than no communication at all.
Perhaps you have arthritis, a tremor, illegible handwriting, or an injury or other mobility impairment. Certainly, these are reasons for finding other ways to communicate, and your loved ones will understand. With programs such as Zoom and the various audio and video software and sites available today, you can see and talk to people in real time or personalize a recorded message with a computer and send it instantly.
Now there are even services that offer wonderful and time-saving options for mailed cards and notes that are very personalized, even to the point of appearing to be in your own handwriting. I’ve shared many of these and other great note-writing sources in my book HEARTSOKEN: How to Write Notes that Connect, Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire.
Just don’t let yourself get distracted from the real purpose of any personal communication: to let someone know you care. Any way you can figure out how to do that is time well spent. A note can be heartspoken without being handwritten.
NOTE: You can find this and other great articles to enrich your note and letter-writing life on my Substack newsletter called Today’s HEARTSPOKEN Note. CLICK HERE to check it out.
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Honestly, I compose even handwritten notes on the computer first. It helps me formulate my thoughts in the best way possible to write what I mean. Also, it helps me be accurate and not change my mind about how to word something as I then copy the on-screen words by hand into the note, in my own handwriting. My notes end up neater, with no scratch-throughs or inserts. And that makes me happy, knowing I’ve put my best words forward.
I’m so happy you shared this, Lynette, because I bet there are many others who’d find it helpful. The bottom line is that there’s no right or wrong way to connect with others in a heartspoken note. You’re not at all the only person who has shared with me that they often write rough drafts before their final note. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh, yes, however you crank out the personal message. What’s important is saying those heartspoken thoughts before it’s too late and you regret it.
Yes, yes yes! Thanks for confirming that important truth, Jan.
I like the idea of SendOutCards.com, but for now, I send handwritten notes. I know how I feel when I get a handwritten note – fabulous! Recently, at work, I had a clerical department employee help with the huge amount of medical information coming onto my desk. It all had to be scanned, updated in the database, filed. My clerical friend did all this for me. I wrote her a handwritten note today, thanking her for her hard work, helping me out of jam, etc. And I sent an inter-company email to her supervisor. Just writing that handwritten note made me feel good, and I’m sure the recipient appreciated it. I do the same for other favors, work and non-work related events. I think it makes a difference.
Great answer to a question I’ve asked myself once or twice.