Did you know that I have kept every single letter I have ever received?

Perhaps you did not take me for much of a penpal at all.

You really could have figured, I think.

Reading my thorough, heartfelt virtual letters on my blog?

I am talking the real thing, though. The kind that you write on a little slip of paper, or maybe a postcard at times, and send away through the mail.

It all started years ago, when I began attending camp in the Summer.

Ah, yes. Summer camp. I think the stories of my time spent there are best saved for another day.

Without cell phones, the only way to contact anybody on the outside was in writing.

A simple sheet of notebook paper ripped out of the spiral worked for the most part. And all I ever bothered with was a stack of my Dad’s business envelopes.

However, my friends and I began to write throughout the year. As it became more of a hobby, I knew I needed stationery to match my style.

What you decide should show up in somebody’s mailbox says a lot about you.

Are you going to mail a potato? I have seen a few of those in my day. Straight and simple, is one way to put it.

Well, with those boring business envelopes, you enact your letter as a stab of dread to the recipient. It looks like a bill or a ticket. What a fright, my friend.

Stickers are the bare minimum. I prefer as much pink as possible, or flowers, addressed in a way that shows my flair for calligraphy.

Even now, away at school, I love sending friends notes in the mail. I have a select few friends of mine that we only ever catch up through letters, back and forth.

It has always stuck with me, no matter how busy I get. It is actually quite a soothing process, and allows me to sit with myself and my thoughts, even for a moment.

There are all sorts of old hobbies out there, such as stamp collecting or listening to vinyl. 

The people that appreciate those things may take to new media as well, like curating playlists on music streaming platforms, or developing an online presence. 

My beloved costume designers, for instance, take it to another level. Making clothes was once a practice of necessity, but those masterminds have used their hands to develop their passion into an art form.

There is everything to hold dear about keeping the things that you love to do as a casual pastime rather than making them into your whole career. 

I am astonished at the fact that opera has taken over my heart and mind to such a degree. I am eternally lucky for this gift.

But, I still have my other hobbies. Even those that I am not particularly good at doing, I allow myself to enjoy.

If I could get through the adverse affect caffeine has on me, I would certainly make coffee tasting into my job. 

Though, whether it is the baked treats that come with it or the coffee itself, I cannot say.

How about puzzle creating and solving? I have always loved puzzles, but it certainly comes in waves, how much free time I have to spend crafting over a jigsaw or understanding the newest Rubik’s cube algorithms.

As much of a perfectionist as I tend to be, it would be impossible to constantly maintain a 100% achievement rate at everything you do. It can only last for so long. 

Trust me.

Just like my coordinated outfits, even in times of nowhere to go, nothing to do. It is purely for the fun of it!

Are you enjoying how you spend your time? Do you feel more connected to yourself and the people around you?

If this is the case, then you are doing rightly swell! The little things fulfill us in the most profound way.

Letter writing? It will always be with me. And so will all of my letters.

My diary does not need to go down in history. As for my voice lesson recordings circa 2010? That is a different story…

Receiving a little piece of someone’s day in the mail will forever be one of my favorite feelings. Giving that to someone else is such a treasure.

Next time you find yourself without anything to do, why not sit down and share whatever comes to mind? Send it out to someone you have not spoken to in a while. 

Maybe even someone you speak to everyday. It will surely be a surprise, then!

And remember the joy that is to be had in all the little things of day to day. Crosswords and coffee in the morning. Post-lunch dance party, walking in the sunshine. Sitting, reading, and people watching.

That is the life.

XOXO,

Bentley