"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.""
"In a society shaped by constant availability, hands-on hobbies like writing letters and scrapbooking require focus and patience. The act of picking up a pen, sealing an envelope with wax and laying out pages may yield aesthetically pleasing results, but it also creates a space for reflection."
People are rediscovering analog communication tools—letters, typewriters, calligraphy and wax seals—as a means to slow down and disconnect from always-on screens. Tactile writing activities and communities around them provide patience-demanding, focused rituals that foster reflection and aesthetic satisfaction. Pen pal relationships create close, meaningful bonds and can feel similar to conventional friendships or therapeutic sharing. Hands-on practices give participants intentional time away from devices, opportunities to be more present, and pathways to form connections across distances while resisting the pace of constant online availability.
Read at Fortune
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