When I was a child my mother would tell me that the best way to remember things was to write them down. She said the words move up from your pen, through your arm, up your shoulder and into your brain. That was helpful advice when I was revising for exams, but years later I’ve discovered that it works the opposite way too. If you want to release the thoughts and feelings floating around your mind, then writing is an excellent, reflective and restorative way to do it.
But why letter writing? There is something intrinsically honest and pure about writing a letter. Letters have an intentional reader and are curated with purpose, time and dignity. They can be playful, serious, funny, nostalgic, profound, poignant or confessionary.
Often letters are written in a stream of consciousness style; a continuous flow of feelings, desires or memories. They transcend time: you can write to the past and your letters can be read many years in the future, by people not yet born. How cool is that? They are unique, intimate and unequivocally personal to you. And yet, when we read or hear other people's letters we relate to them. We empathise with them and we connect as human beings.
Letters may be addressed to someone else but they are a sounding board for ourselves. In a world where we struggle to listen to each other and be heard, we believe that letters can fill that gap.
To submit a letter click here.
Letters Anonymous was created by Rebecca, a writer, filmmaker and mental health campaigner. She believes in the healing power of human connection and sharing our experiences in reflective and restorative ways.
Illustrations for this website were created by the wonderful Wildflower Illustration Co.