Writing unsent letters is a great way to get things off your chest without having to withhold your emotions and the things you want to say.
These are the letters you write to the people in your life who have may have made you angry or frustrated. Maybe they’re an ex-lover or an estranged family member; perhaps they’re a co-worker or an old friend — whoever it is, you can use these letters as an outlet and find some closure.
While some may argue that writing unsent letters is unhealthy, it’s proven therapeutic and a great way to let out bottled-up emotions.
Additionally, unsent letters allow you to vent your feelings and get everything out of your system. They are also a great way to process your emotions and resolve conflicts.
There are no rules regarding what you can or can’t say when you write your unsent letter, and it’s a safe space to release all of your emotions.
Here is some guide that might help you start with your unsent letter:
1) Start with a Salutation
To turn this into a letter, begin with a greeting. This could be as simple as “Dear Ex” or “Hello Me.” or if it is somebody you are angry with, you can start with “Hey, asshole.”
The first step is to make it as personal as possible. By addressing yourself or the oppressor, you’re giving this letter meaning and purpose. It feels more like a conversation than just dumping your thoughts onto paper.
2) Pour Out Your Heart
Don’t worry about how it sounds at this point or whether it makes sense or not. Just release all of these thoughts that are running through your head.
If there are multiple topics on your mind, split them into separate paragraphs and address them individually, and this will help keep things organized and easy to read later on.
3) Don’t Worry About Grammar and Spelling
This is not an English class — no one will be grading this paper! It should feel like a conversation between two friends, not academic writing. Don’t censor yourself; just let yourself say what you want to say.
4) You Can Write to Anyone
Unsent letters can be written to anyone, living or dead. You can write a letter to your mother, father, grandfather, lover, best friend, daughter, son, or any other person to whom you wish to say something but haven’t been able to. You can also write a letter to an ex-lover or an ex-friend.
5) Choose what to do with your Letter
Ultimately, you can choose what happens to the letter after you write it You can either ask us to burn it, send it, e-mail it, save it, share it or delete it. It’s entirely up to you!