In today’s day and age, people complain more than ever before. We are all guilty of it. Every single person in the world has complained more than they realize. 

But now, it is becoming more common for some people to call this behavior out and strive for improvement. The only question is, how to improve?

Some people cut the toxic aspects out of their life, while some turn to a hobby they love. Some distract themselves while others tackle the problem head-on. Some people journal, some write, and the list goes on. 

I have tried nearly every method I’ve encountered. None have had lasting effects until I tried one of my own: letters. 

I’m not saying that writing letters is something that I came up with. Obviously, letters have been a thing for thousands of years. I had never seen anybody suggest writing letters as a way to improve mentally. 

I began writing letters to myself. I eventually wrote them to my loved ones who aren’t here anymore. I wrote to my family. I wrote to my friends. 

It sounds strange, I know, but it has helped me so much. I can write to myself through a subjective lens about whatever’s going on in my life. Then, once the situation has passed, I can read it objectively and see what I need to improve. If I was overreacting, then I could work on my interpretation of things. If I was ignoring red flags—which I tend to do—then I can work on following my instincts. 

I have so many letters in a notebook that I have designated for this purpose specifically. I don’t do anything with the letters, but it allows me to express what I’m feeling and do my best to improve upon that. 

What’s important to realize is that letter writing is not the same as a diary. I cannot express that enough. Writing in a diary is helpful, sure, but letters are on a completely different plane of reflection. 

A diary is merely a record of events. An explanation of the happenings of a day. Letter writing, though, is much more than that. It’s a direct address to someone, but it’s private. You can expose every single thing you want to say to this person but are too scared to, knowing that they won’t read it. It’s a completely controlled and confidential relay of information, and it’s an opportunity to bare it all on a piece of paper.

A letter to my boys

It will be no more than a memory

Letters have become antiquated and obsolete in the age of technology, but we have the power to make it happen again. I write letters without sending them. I write letters, and, if I don’t know how to talk to someone I love about something, I do share that letter with them. 

I can’t tell you what method of self-improvement will work best for you, but I can tell you this: if you try it, letter writing may open a door to a new, genuine, and honest plane of existence.