I can't tell you how many times I started this essay about starting a pen pal project and then stopped. Thinking: now isn't the time, this is dumb in comparison to...well, everything that's happening in the world right now.

I've wanted to explore letter writing in this project not just because my inbox is overflowing with messages requesting a pen pal exchange, and not because I sell stationery for a living, but because I believe that in moments like this, when actually caring about other human beings has become radical, the simple act of writing a letter reinforces the kind of world I want to live in.

Ok, maybe that slips a teensy bit into hyperbole lol but I do believe it. I unapologetically believe that little things can make a difference.

I'm not saying that my humble Snail Mail Society will heal a divided nation. (I'm thinking that in my most sarcastic voice) I'm not saying it will fix what’s broken in the world. But letter writing involves every reason that I've shared as the catalyst for this analog year experiment: Writing a letter is a small, deliberate act of care. It takes time. It asks for attention. It makes me slow my brain down! It requires us to imagine another person on the other end and to choose our words with intention.

In doing so, it says something simple and essential: I see you. I care. The recipient feels it, and the writer does too.

So I created this Snail Mail Society as much for myself as anything. It's a network of caring humans! It's a club! It's an invitation—to slow down, to reach toward one another, and to create, in small and meaningful ways, the kind of world we want to live in. 

When I was a about eleven I had a membership card to a sticker club. I vividly remember loving the membership card as much or more than the stickers. 

Do we need a membership card? Heck yeah we do!

Do we need a manifesto? heck yeah we do!

And do we need a creed? Heck yeah we do!

• Connections matter.
• Presence is a gift.
• Kindness will change the world.

If this project speaks to you, consider this invitation:

Write one letter this week—to a future pen pal, an old friend, or even to yourself.

Take your time with it. Choose paper you love. Choose a silky smooth pen. Enjoy the act of writing!

If you’d like a little help getting started, I’ve gathered a small collection of letter-writing tools—cards, stationery, and prompts designed to support slow, intentional correspondence.

They’re there if useful, not required! The real work is the writing itself: showing up and sending something human into the world.

And to kick off this letter writing challenge, we've created:

The Analog Life Snail Mail Society (very official name with a very official membership card lol) is a small, intentional space for people who want to connect slowly and thoughtfully. It’s for folks who have written letters in their youth or have never written a letter in their lives. No matter what your snail mail experience, this project is for you. :)

HOW TO JOIN: 

• ADD YOURSELF TO THE DIRECTORY
  Fill out a short form with your name, a few interests, and your location.
  You choose what to share. No addresses are collected here.

• BROWSE THE DIRECTORY
  Once submitted, your entry appears in the public, view-only directory.

• FIND SOMEONE WHO RESONATES
  Read through the list and notice who you feel curious about — shared interests, a country you're intrigued by, etc.

• REACH OUT DIRECTLY
  Contact them using the method they’ve chosen to share (email or message).
  Introduce yourself and ask if they’d like to exchange letters.

• EXCHANGE ADDRESSES PRIVATELY
  If you both agree, you’ll share mailing addresses with each other directly.
  The project never collects or stores addresses.

• WRITE AT YOUR OWN PACE
  There’s no schedule, no obligation, and no pressure. One letter or many — follow what feels doable.

• This is a self-directed, peer-to-peer club. We don’t match pen pals or collect addresses — you connect directly. 

• All participants agree to be kind, inclusive, and respectful.

• All participants must be 18 or older.

• As much as I love receiving snail mail, I can't reply or maintain correspondence with all of the kind folks who send me mail. I wish I could!

If you’d like to join:

We talk about letter writing in the January Workbook!

The Analog Life Project is a year-long project with monthly content and is completely free.

That being said, I would love it if you would consider supporting this project and my work by visiting my shop.

Are you outside the US? My international shipping is limited but Buy Olympia  sells all of our products (washi tape is on the way!) and ships worldwide!

Not ready to shop? You can Buy Me A Coffee.