One of my favourite past times of all time is letter writing. I simply adore to write and receive letters. There is something particularly joyous in this modern age, in treasuring the opposite of the instant. The anticipation of a letter is truly something special. (And note, I am a certified geek also, so I love the antithesis of the techno stuff too.)
Taking Time To…
I have a collection of friends who I write to, and some who even write back, though not always by snailmail. Whatever medium works. It’s just nice to receive a message ultimately, isn’t it?
The trickiest thing we all agree is making the time to actually write. It’s one of those things that if you put it off it generally doesn’t get done. But as someone who genuinely likes writing letters, not just in response, I sometimes look for a way to prompt my letter writing.
Whatever Works
What really focused me on the ‘art’ of letter writing? Animals. Or, at least taking care of animals.
It began when we took care of 3 rabbits. Over time, by watching and ‘listening’ to them, we ended up moving them outside (though they were closed inside at night). We created a big enclosed area we nicknamed ‘rabbit world‘.
We put chairs in their enclosure to encourage us, and visitors, to visit as the little fuzzies really enjoyed having more ‘rabbits’ hanging out with them. Because they enjoyed having visitors we tried to visit as much as possible. To encourage this in myself I used them as my excuse to write my letters.
Since then we have moved to our own home and instead of rabbits we now have ducks and a large duck enclosure. Similar concept, but definitely noisier, though still as much fun to watch and write amongst.
Seasonal Letter Writing
The spring and summer months are particularly conducive to writing amongst the animals, but not exclusive. It is really only very cold or rainy days that puts me off (from letter writing, not visiting). I generally take a pad of paper and pen and, depending on the season and weather, either lie on a blanket on the ground or sit in a chair. If it’s cold, the blanket goes on the chair.
All the animals particularly like if I put down a blanket as this gives them the opportunity to wander around me, nudge me, walk over me and sometimes even sit on me. I often bring a treat that they have been known to nibble or even steal away if I am too absorbed in my letter.
My letter writing recipients are quite familiar now with my majority opening gambit ‘I am sitting in amongst the ducks as I write this’…
More about letter writing…?
As a practitioner of slow living (now that the animals have given me the excuse), on wetter days I like to put time towards making my own cards or stationary. My favourite sort are – Junk Journal Letters.
At Christmas, thoughts and crafts tend to turn towards making Christmas cards. And sometimes an Advent Calendar (if I get my backside in gear in time).
And when not writing, there are other Favourite Hobbies. Slow living doesn’t mean one isn’t busy.
Actually interested in more about the animals…?
For more pictures and videos of our animals antics, come visit us on Instagram.
If you prefer to read about their antics, have a browse of our Pets section of the blog.
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