"At a time when productivity means optimizing every second and screens blur the line between work and home, some people are slowing down and disconnecting by looking to communication devices from the past. Tactile activities ranging from writing letters and typewriter clubs to TikTok communities showcasing calligraphy skills and wax seals are giving retro writing instruments a resurgence. More than quaint throwbacks, the pursuits provide their enthusiasts with opportunities to reduce their technology use, be more intentional with time and build meaningful connections with others."
""I feel as though my pen pals are my friends. I don't think of them much differently than if I were chatting with a friend on the phone, in a coffee shop or at another person's house," said Melissa Bobbitt, 42, a devoted letter-writer who corresponds with about a dozen people from her home in Claremont, California, and has had up to 40 pen pals at one time. "Focusing on one person and really reading what they are saying, and sharing what's on your heart is almost like a therapy session.""
People are slowing down and disconnecting by turning to retro communication devices and tactile activities such as letter writing, typewriter clubs and calligraphy. These pursuits create focused, hands-on experiences that require patience and intention, offering an escape from constant online availability. Participants report that slow correspondence and crafted mail foster deeper connections, provide emotional release and function as restorative practices. Enthusiasts use physical tools like ink, paper and wax seals to be more deliberate with time, reduce technology use and cultivate friendships that feel personal and therapeutic rather than transactional.
Read at Fortune
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