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The Lost Art of Letter Writing: Bringing Back Pen Pal Friendships
Trivia: What does the “www” stand for in a website address?
RetireHub
January 04, 2026
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Sunday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on The Lost Art of Letter Writing: Bringing Back Pen Pal Friendships, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Violet McBride Lila Grant returns to Snowberry Ridge for a fresh start—not a fake engagement with grumpy widower Mason Blake. Saving the New Year’s festival turns their simple, temporary deal into sizzling tension. As midnight nears, grief and old fears rise. Pretend…or choose real love? |
On this day in 1896, the state of Utah officially adopted the beehive as its state emblem, symbolizing industry, thrift, and perseverance—values that continue to represent the spirit of the state today.
The Lost Art of Letter Writing: Bringing Back Pen Pal Friendships
Before emails, text messages, and instant replies, letter writing was a meaningful ritual. You chose your stationery, found a comfortable chair, and took time to shape your thoughts into words meant to last. Today, as communication has become faster, many people are rediscovering the quiet joy of putting pen to paper—and the deep connection that comes with it.
Letter writing invites us to slow down. Unlike digital messages, letters encourage reflection rather than reaction. Writing by hand engages the mind in a different way, often helping thoughts flow more freely and authentically. Many seniors find that letter writing feels calming, grounding, and even meditative, offering a welcome break from screens and daily noise.
Pen pal friendships can be especially rewarding. Whether reconnecting with an old friend, writing to a family member, or starting a new correspondence with someone across the country (or the world), pen pals create bonds built on patience and curiosity. There’s something deeply satisfying about opening the mailbox and finding a letter written just for you—a small moment of anticipation and delight.
Letter writing can also support emotional well-being. Studies show that expressive writing can reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen feelings of connection. For those who live alone or have limited social interaction, a regular letter exchange can become a meaningful routine that brings comfort and companionship.
Getting started doesn’t require fancy supplies. A simple notebook, a pen that feels good in your hand, and a quiet moment are enough. If handwriting feels challenging, writing slowly or using larger paper can help. Some people even combine typed letters with handwritten notes or signatures for a personal touch.
Bringing back letter writing isn’t about rejecting modern technology—it’s about balancing it. Letters offer something rare: permanence, presence, and intention. In a world that moves quickly, pen pal friendships remind us that some of the best connections take time—and are well worth the wait.
Do you still enjoy writing or receiving handwritten letters? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Have you ever tried home brewing, or would you like to?
These results show that while home brewing is a niche interest, curiosity is very much alive. More than a quarter of respondents enjoy craft beer or are interested in learning how brewing works, even if they’re not ready to dive in themselves. At the same time, a clear majority prefer to simply enjoy the finished product—proof that for many, relaxing with a good drink matters more than the process behind it.
TOP COMMENTS
“My son has done it in the past. It tasted good!”
“We have not tried brewing beer, but have been making homemade wine for years. An enjoyable hobby!”
“I wouldn't mind doing it a few times a year.”
“Never got it to taste as good as the breweries.”
“Several years ago, although I'm not really a beer drinker, I purchased a Mr. Beer kit. I followed the instructions, although it was a bit time consuming, I ended up with about 6 quarts of beer. I tried some and it wasn't bad. My wife's family was having a celebration, birthday I think, and some of them were beer drinkers than me, so I took the rest of what I had with us. I received a lot of compliments on it, but I never attempted any more.”
“My 2 sons each tried home brews. The beer drinking is my favorite part.”
“I feel the same about beer as I do about pasta and pizza, I don't have it frequently but when I do I want someone else to do all the work.”
“I have a friend who likes to brew beer. At first the beer wasn't very good but over time he got better. Now his beer isn't bad at all. Actually it’s pretty good.”
“I like beer”
“I have tried home brewing a couple of times. After some practice I made consistently good beer. I also enjoyed the science and the process. The biggest problem for me was each batch made 1-1/2 to 2 cases of beer. Not many of my friends drink beer anymore, so i was left with too much product.”
Ditch Willpower — A Kinder Way to Change Habits
Trying to rely on willpower alone to change habits often feels like pushing a boulder uphill, especially when life is busy and energy is limited. Instead of forcing yourself to just try harder, it can be more effective to adjust your environment and routines so your desired behaviors become easier and more automatic. For example, reshaping your space, setting up simple cues, and celebrating small wins helps reduce reliance on sheer discipline and makes habits stick with less struggle.
This approach emphasizes designing your life for success rather than battling yourself every day. By identifying triggers, minimizing friction for good behaviors, and amplifying barriers for unwanted ones, you slowly shift your patterns without exhausting your willpower reserves. Ultimately, change becomes something you build into your life instead of something you constantly fight to maintain.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Copacetic
Meaning: Copacetic means that everything is in good order, fine, or going smoothly—nothing to worry about.
In a sentence: “Once my prescriptions were refilled, my calendar was updated, and the house was quiet, everything felt copacetic for the afternoon.”
Good News of the Day
2025 Declared “Year of the Octopus” as Sightings Surge in UK Waters
In 2025, marine conservation groups in the United Kingdom marked an extraordinary increase in octopus sightings along the country’s southwest coast, declaring the year the “Year of the Octopus.” Record numbers of common octopus — far higher than seen in decades — were observed from Cornwall to Devon, with volunteers and fishermen reporting dramatic population spikes that delighted wildlife watchers and scientists alike.
Experts attribute this remarkable bloom to unusually mild winter and spring conditions that boosted octopus breeding and juvenile survival, creating one of the most visible displays of these intelligent cephalopods in memory. Sightings included octopuses mating, exploring the seabed, and even interacting with underwater cameras, giving locals and divers an up-close view of their behavior.
While this surge brought excitement, it also highlighted shifts in marine ecosystems, with octopuses appearing in higher numbers in crab and lobster pots and affecting local catches. The phenomenon offers a striking example of how changing ocean conditions can influence species distribution, sparking both celebration and scientific interest in the coastal environment.
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RetireHub Trivia
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Which blood type is known as the universal donor? |
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