In today’s society, we tend to constantly be on our phones. These phones can be wonderful tools but they can also take away the simple pleasures that life has to offer, such as the joy of face-to-face conversations and the excitement of conversations through the mail. In this column, I’ll explore the amusing and beneficial aspects of sending letters to friends and loved ones, despite the convenience of texting. Some may say penpals are silly and a waste of time, but I’ll convince you otherwise.

Finding a pen pal can seem daunting, especially since it can be challenging to find someone to send mail to. However, you can send mail to anyone, even your friends down the road. I imagine that most people have ordered something online and gotten excited to receive it; it’s almost like Christmas! Well, having a pen pal is like that. It’s a gift that makes talking with your friend even more meaningful. When you’re texting, it’s harder to not blurt out whatever’s on your mind. Putting ink to paper and writing down your thoughts can help you be more thoughtful and concise.

Some advice to get started is first to find someone to send mail to. You can do this by simply asking a friend or family member; you don’t have to ask someone across the world. The next step is to get some stamps and envelopes. You can go to your local post office and purchase them. Once you do that, you are ready to write.

You can write about anything you would like. I suggest topics like work, school and hobbies. You can even discuss TV shows or books, or your feelings or thoughts on current world affairs. Don’t be afraid to be creative. Make silly drawings and find cute stickers to send. Get paper that has a pretty design or color. I find that getting wax seals is a fun way to spruce up your letters. If you’re an artist, create beautiful pieces to send or make bracelets and various other trinkets.

When you receive the letter, really read it. Sometimes when we are texting or talking with someone we are only waiting for our turn to speak, but try to really listen. This is the time to understand your pen pal and connect on a deeper level. I have spoken to some people about their thoughts on texting and if they think it is better than writing. Most people I’ve talked to agreed that writing was healthier and had a lot more substance than texting nowadays. Someone I spoke with said, “It’s hard to understand tone and some people take things differently,” which is very true. You can also misinterpret tone through texting. However, as I mentioned earlier, it’s less likely to occur when writing a letter since you’re putting more effort into your words.

Another point they made was that schools are not teaching children proper penmanship. It is really a lost art. I don’t have very good penmanship, but I have tried to teach myself cursive to help with this. I think reintroducing writing on paper as a whole will help bring back penmanship skills to schools again.

Texting is great for quick communication to get a point across fast, but it’s not always ideal for deep conversations or thoughtful gestures. You might be wondering, “Why wait for a letter when you can simply text them now?” Well, what’s the point in waiting for Christmas to get gifts? What’s the point in waiting until after dinner for dessert? The purpose is to make it more special. If Christmas were celebrated every day, it wouldn’t hold the same level of importance.

Another thing to take into consideration is memories. Texts and accounts get deleted, but with letters, you have physical copies that you can cherish forever. As a whole, we should begin to disconnect from technology and engage with the world around us. In my opinion, pen palling is an excellent way to start this process. You don’t have to rely on letters to solely communicate, but it is important to branch out and try something new. At the end of the day, it’s about having fun. Pen palling is a way to connect with others without the use of phones or electronics. It helps us break free from the modern cycle of unhealthy dopamine addictions. So try it out and write to a friend. If you find yourself not liking it then you can always stop, but it never hurts to try.

Have a lovely time writing!

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Raven McCaffrey is a Senior at Franklin Academy. Her writing has appeared in the Wild Words Teen Anthology.