Snail Mail: Why it’s worth the wait
It’s 2024. You have finished a day of sending emails, ordered Uber eats for dinner and now choosing from a selection of Netflix movies completely on demand. Sound familiar? With technology ever advancing, todays on-demand society has made us believe if anything takes longer than “it used to” then what’s the point?
And to be honest, it’s a good point? Why make your life harder? However, rather than making life harder, what if we changed the perspective and embraced anticipation, vulnerability and took a step back from the digital world to support our mental well-being?
Here are the 6 reasons why receiving snail mail is more important now than it ever was.
1. Builds anticipation
Just think back to your childhood, it’s still weeks from Christmas, but anticipation is building. You see festive decorations, you are happy to listen to those same songs again and Santa is putting the final touches on the presents you wanted. Often, the anticipation about Christmas was better than Christmas itself. Your imagination would run wild with possibility while you gleefully see the world in a positive and loving way.
Waiting for mail to arrive embraces this same emotion. Knowing you are about to receive something, although in the case of an “out on a whim”subscription, not knowing exactly what it is, generates a feeling inside that simply isn’t matched by any email.
If we go back to basics with little jaunts away from the digital “on demand world” we will begin to feel that very same, natural sense of excitement - all beginning with building anticipation. As the old adage goes, good things come to those who wait!
2. The element of surprise
It’s not exactly surprising, but people don’t really like being surprised. More often than not, surprise is associated with a negative. Being surprised implies you do not have control of the situation, and by our very nature, humans crave control. Embracing surprise can be liberating. By accepting we can not control a situation, our perspectives shift and a weight is suddenly lifted. By doing so, we harness the power of vulnerability, which keeps us grounded to the world around us.
When we accept surprise, we unlock the power to turn any negative into a positive. We enable perspective shift and can fully embrace generous assumption, helping us become kinder to ourselves and the world around us.
When we drop the expectations of the world, we can begin to view surprises in a game changing way.
3. Personal connection
Harry has just received his first ever letter. It is addressed to him so specifically, there can be no doubts of any mistake. When uncle Vernon refuses to give Harry his letter, he contemplates - his thoughts extend beyond its contents to something more profound. Who, had written to him?
Receiving something in the mail represents more than the physical item itself. It implies there was another human on the other side. Someone who took the time to send it - someone who knows who you are - Someone who cares. No bulk mailing list here.
Connection plays such an important role in our own mental health and well-being. It’s proven that people in a community live longer than those living alone.
Now think, your friend has taken the time to write or draw something personal. It has been folded and placed in an envelope and then paid for the privilege to have an entire industry collect, sort and send - specially to you.
By contrast, your friend quickly taps a few words that get autocorrected, then without having the right words to articulate their message, throws a few emojis in there and hits send.
Which do you value more? The personal connection brought about by a letter is more powerful than you first thought.
4. Tactile experience
What are our senses? Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. A physical letter in the mail incorporates all of these elements - especially when compared to something digital. So yes, while you can see an email, and hear it when the notification pops up, there is no comparison to the smell of the paper, or the feel of the card in your hands (we decided not to comment further on the taste from licking the envelopes).
But here’s the kick. Holding something - physically touching it, makes it real. There are no doubts or illusions. The tactile experience evokes an emotional response, making it even more personal.
And… When we enjoy a positive emotion, our bodies create a series of chemicals in our brain (Oxytocin, Dopamine and Serotonin). When released, our bodies experience a lasting sense of pleasure, happiness and well-being. So in the world of on demand digital, where do we feel something real? Could there be a chance we are severely lacking in these chemicals and part of the reason our society is on edge today?
A simple letter in the mail can encourage these wonderful chemicals and make all the difference to your day!
5. Escape from digital overload
Have you ever heard someone talking about a recent holiday and spoke fondly about the moment when there was no reception? I wonder why? Could it be the simple fact that we get so addicted to our phones, that we enter a real sense of peace when we are able to break away?
Our world is digital, and there is no going back. And that’s ok. Digital is great for so many reasons and it would be foolish to argue otherwise. But striking a balance between digital and physical actually helps us appreciate both worlds.
Embracing digital will provide a sense of amazement for the physical. Likewise, embracing the physical will make you fully appreciate the innovation of digital.
Furthermore, when we unplug ourself from the digital overload, we can start to rely on our senses again. Watch as you take in the smells of the freshly cut grass, or see the ever changing shapes of the clouds. Unplugging gets us closer to nature and keeps us grounded.
When our perspectives change, we can find new ways forward. Receiving snail mail is the balance we all need to reconnect with the world around us and those we hold deer.
6. Nostalgia
Receiving a letter in the mail is a true callback to a bygone era. Like a WWII soldier receiving news from home or even reading a post card from some wild and exotic location you have never heard of. Look at that sport jersey hanging on the wall. Is it from the current season or from a season past which brings positive memories? Everywhere you look, nostalgia is being embraced.
When we are forced to think of nostalgic things, our thoughts often link back to our own happy childhood memories - simply put, Nostalgia brings us joy. It reminds us of our best moments and makes us view otherwise simple things through rose tinted spectacles. Nostalgia becomes a gateway into the whimsical - if you are willing to embrace it.
Snail mail is indeed slow, but in a fast pace world where coming up for air isn’t always possible, perhaps we should look for opportunities to slow things down and reconnect with the world.
Receiving a letter in the mail can open a world of possibilities for you. From embracing surprise, to activating positive emotion and releasing “feel good”chemicals in our bodies - snail mail might just be the thing our lives have been lacking.
Go ahead, challenge yourself and send a letter or two. Tell me if it doesn’t change your day!