Is Letter Writing Lost? The Random Cards of Kindness Project

The idea was born at a social event for women in journalism.

We were chatting about networking and our guest speaker shared what works for her: handwritten notes and personalized emails.

I thought back to the letters I used to write — to a friend I made at summer camp, to another friend who went to boarding school — and letters my grandmother wrote to me — always about her health — and decided I wanted to write more letters in 2014.

It was in that moment, sitting in a living room full of writers, that my Random Cards of Kindness Project was born. Each month, I write and send one handwritten note to a friend, family member or colleague, either to say thank you or to offer encouragement.

Paying forward kindness one handwritten note at a time. Photo by Shannon Morgan | Creative.

I’m inspired by random acts of kindness, especially the particularly creative ones, and the stories behind those acts. The Random Cards of Kindness Project is my way of filling the world with a little more kindness, of using my writing gift to spread a little cheer, to do something positive.

Its also my way of returning to my letter-writing roots.

I don’t think letter writing is lost entirely. It has just evolved with time and technology, from perfume-scented stationary to tweets and text messages. This project is my small way of bringing it back.

What do you think? Is letter writing lost?

In addition to a conversation about networking, this post was inspired by The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger, a novel told mostly through letters and legal missives.

Join From Left to Write on March 18 we discuss The Divorce Papers.

As a member, I received a copy of the book for free. All opinions expressed above are my own.