Free U.K. delivery on all orders over £40

Letter Writer of the Month - Tehmina

The London Letters Pen Pal Club began its life in 2019 with the hope of bringing together letter writing enthusiasts from across the globe to celebrate the joy of receiving letters and the power of the written word.

Over the years we've grown slowly but surely in numbers each week, and we're so proud to now be a 750+ community of snail mailers! We have members from different countries, ages, religions, sexualities, political views, careers, disabilities, and genders - and whilst our differences vary dramatically, we are all united by a love of letters.

'Letter Writer of the Month' is a monthly journal entry where we invite one member from the club to give us an insight into their journey with letters. Some have always been letter writers from a young age, others only began when they signed up to the club. Our members all have a unique story to tell, and we hope you'll love getting to hear it. 

Our Letter Writer of the Month for January is Tehmina.

"I feel like letter writing is journaling with a purpose with an audience! It has a positive mental affect because someone is genuinely asking about you about your life and someone is interested in you. No agenda. Just giving each other that valuable time."

Name: Tehmina
Age: 38
Job Title: Primary School Teacher
Location: Blackpool
Member since: April 2024

Tell us a little about yourself and how you became interested in letter writing?

I've come back to the UK after teaching abroad for 15 years. After coming back home 2 years ago we (my husband and 2 girls) moved to Blackpool. It's been a challenging 2 years for me. My husband was told he wouldn't survive as he had a genetic liver disease and without a new liver he wouldn't make it. So it was a trying time not knowing and waiting for a transplant. Strange feeling waiting for someone to die so someone you love can have a new lease of life and stay with you longer. It was because of this difficult time we had that lead me back to what I used to do which was journaling. Using it to spill out all the feelings I couldn't really say out loud. My parents and my siblings were my rocks, my lifeline, but I didn't know how to express to anyone how I felt. I felt like everyone was doing so much for me already I couldn't possibly burden them about how overwhelmed I was of being a full-time carer and making sure our 2 girls were well and schooled and having just moved into a new home and area and adjusting to all. It was all too much to handle and writing was my escape and kept me from breaking completely if I hadn't already. Writing held me up. Journaling was my first step!
After my husband was extremely fortunate enough to get a transplant and started recovery I turned to reading as well.  I was reunited with reading and writing for different reasons unlike childhood however my past love was rekindled. Seeing London Letters sparked an interest in me just like journaling, pen pal writing was something I used to do before. I wanted to come off screen and have meaningful conversations on a slower pace and I felt writing letters does just that. It's a sense of calm and peace, something just for me, something I vowed to give myself following the turbulent time.

What is it about letters that you think makes them special?

Letter writing, I feel is calm, I love the feeling of receiving hand written letters. I feel it's so personal. I feel that someone has taken their time out to really touch base with me and I love making that effort for others too. I enjoy the slower communication in this fast-paced world of tech.

What type of things do you write in letters compared to digital communications?

I often find that it's not just surface level while writing letters. Things have to be explained and it's not just one-word answers or a few words as you may on a text or WhatsApp. We write about our family, our daily lives, events big and small. It's almost like writing a journal - I no longer journal now that I have a few pen pals and I love that. It's almost reflective writing. Thinking about what you're writing. Saying what you actually mean to say. Which sounds bizarre but I feel in the digital world I can type things on auto pilot but when I'm writing a letter, I want the letter to read what I mean to say not what's just blurted out. I like that. Because it's the opposite of what we have become accustomed to. We have become accustomed to 2 extremes I feel. One - say little, one word or few word answer and don't say what we mean even if we want to and Two - say too much without a filter or thought. Both which don't serve the intended purpose! But that's just how I feel.

Do you have a favourite letter, either famous or one you have received personally?

I don't have a real favourite letter I'm waiting for that! However, I do have a collection of favourite fictional letters. The movie The Lake House - I have always been drawn to those. The impossible letters though fiction, just stood out to me!

Do you feel any positive benefits to your mental health when you write?

I feel like letter writing is journaling with a purpose with an audience! It has a positive mental affect because someone is genuinely asking about you about your life and someone is interested in you. No agenda. Just giving each other that valuable time. If someone is taking that time out for me that's special. It feels good and it definitely has a positive impact. At the same time wanting to respond to your pen pal as you know they're waiting for you, so it's thinking about someone else too.

Describe your letter writing set up. Do you have a favourite pen or paper? Where are you when you're writing?

I love using London Letters paper writing sets, I feel that it's the quality of paper I love. It feels luxurious and not flimsy. But one thing I do more often now is support smaller businesses and they are a small business which is why I love supporting them.
I love sitting in my sun lounge, I grab a cup of coffee and my pens (still searching for a perfect pen), I love the calming atmosphere. I feel like its my time. Generally early morning before the craziness of the day begins or sometimes at the end of the day!
At times I let my daughter join me. I've inspired her to have her own pen pal which I have arranged for her so sometimes we write together in the same space which I like. It shows her that we can be unplugged and have calm time together.

What made you sign up to our pen pal club and take a leap of faith by writing to a stranger?

I signed up because I wanted to write to like minded people who had an interest in writing letters. To start off with it was almost nostalgic going back to childhood for me. However, seeing this community made me feel that it's not childish and it doesn't need to remain in my childhood! Why should it! There are a lot of people like me that still feel the value of writing letters!

What role do you think letters will play in the future?

I feel with all the technology and instant form of communication it can get overwhelming and everything is just so fast paced. As such, I feel there's always a place. Just like when we need a break from it all and we come away by going for a walk, or sitting down with a coffee gazing out of your window, or wanting to do some mindful colouring or any activity that slows you down, pen pal writing can do just that. We are all always looking for peace and something to ground us, keep us calm and give us a sense of peace, so I feel there is definitely still a place for it. Everyone needs respite and letter writing can be just that in our crazy fast world!

Do you believe letters still have a place in modern society?

I think it will be a means of slowing down. As communication has changed vastly I feel this will be  a way of slowing down, almost like a hobby. But in order to keep it alive small companies like London Letters and all it's subscribers have a big part to play. As a mother I teach my children the importance of slowing down. Also, as a teacher seeing how difficult it has become for teachers to instil the stamina and love for writing I continue to implement my love for writing and reading within my classroom! The Art of writing will only die if we let it. So, let's all play our part. In our homes, in our communities and most definitely in schools!

What would you say to someone to encourage them to give letter writing a try?

If you are thinking of joining, I think it's the best thing you could do. As a busy mum and a teacher, I have very little time to do things for me. And this feels like it's just me time. Time out from the business. Having said this, whether you are busy or not, it's a way of doing something that is no longer the norm. Something that is completely the opposite of the new age!
If you are a sociable person, it's great to get to know other people you may not necessarily meet daily and get to know. If you are a person who is an introvert it's a way of getting to know someone on your terms on a much slower pace so I feel it's something anyone can do no matter what type of personality you have! 

 

A huge thank you to our Tehmina for her time, and we hope you enjoyed getting to know her! Why not try Tehmina's favourite writing paper to use for your next letter?

Would you like to join our club? We're always open to new members, you can learn more about the club here.

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published