Writing letters…ah, yes – I remember. That was what we did before we texted and messaged all day every day. Mercifully I appear to have survived the transition, but not everyone has emerged unscathed. So, in order to preserve the sanity of all involved, we present the followthehumming survival guide to modern messaging – created specially for those who still hanker after the comforting feel of pen on paper.
| That was then | This is now |
|---|---|
| Think about writing a letter. | There is no think. Only do. |
| Search for pen and paper. | Tighten grip on iPhone in anticipation of imminent communication opportunity. If not Twitter, decide on messaging service to be used. Smile inwardly at hoped-for instant replies. Note increase in pulse and anxiety rates. |
| Find suitable writing location. | Just keep right on doing whatever you were doing before. No really, don’t even stop walking. Even lamp-posts are more bouncy than they look. |
| Consider possible topics, rough target length, nature of intended recipient and relationship with same; create broad mental plan and start writing with the words, ‘Dear Xxxx.’ |
Finger-type first fifteen words that enter head, choose appropriate emoticons and add five of each, then add ‘x’ |
| Write letter. Enclose photo(s) if feeling daring. | Take multiple photos of own face close to camera with surprised expression and mouth open wide. Attach to message. |
| Seal letter in envelope, address envelope, obtain correct postage, take to nearest secure postage receptacle and place within; await arrival of first of many personal couriers who will carefully transport letter to intended recipient over a period of several days using a variety of vehicles. |
Press send. Feel faintly sick until first reply / Like / Favourite / etc. notification is received. |
| Estimate whether sufficient time has passed for intended recipient to have received letter. | If no response received within 8 seconds of sending message, stride about crossly, shouting, ‘But she’s definitely read it! And she must know I know she’s read it! What’s she doing?’ |
| Estimate whether sufficient time has passed for intended recipient to write reply and send using personal courier network, as above. |
If no response to latest message received and total messages exchanged <= 30, send ‘sad face’ #selfie. If no further response received, delete recipient from #besties list. |
| Receive return letter via personal courier, tear open envelope and read about what happened four days ago. | Mentally calculate overall message exchange value to all parties and adjust self-esteem accordingly. |
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