The Healing Power of Handwritten Letters in Motherhood with Amy Weinland Daughters

Have you ever opened your mailbox and found a handwritten letter waiting for you? Not a bill, not junk mail—but a real letter written just for you. The kind of note that instantly makes you feel seen, loved, and remembered.

Now imagine how powerful that could feel in those early postpartum weeks, when your world feels upside down, you’re running on almost no sleep, and you’re wondering if anyone really understands what you’re going through.

That’s exactly what I talked about with Amy Daughters, award-winning author and speaker, who wrote over 580 handwritten letters to every single one of her Facebook friends. Her story is nothing short of inspiring, but what struck me most was how this simple, lost art of letter writing can be such a meaningful form of support for new moms.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why letters are still powerful in today’s digital world

• Practical ways to start writing letters, even if life feels busy

• The emotional benefits of writing letters to yourself or others

• … and a whole lot more!

How Amy’s Letter-Writing Journey Began

Amy didn’t set out to become “the letter-writing lady.” She was actually working as a writer covering college football when she stumbled across the Facebook page of an old friend from summer camp.

Scrolling through, she discovered her friend’s teenage son was battling cancer. Amy felt compelled to do something—so she started writing weekly letters of encouragement, even though they hadn’t spoken in 35 years.

What began as a few short notes turned into a two-year exchange of letters that carried her friend through grief and transformed Amy’s own life.

Her takeaway? Handwritten letters create a kind of connection we can’t find anywhere else.

Why Letters Feel So Different Than Texts or Emails

Think about it: when you receive a text, it’s nice. But when you hold a handwritten letter in your hands, you immediately know it took time, intention, and effort.

As Amy put it, “You realize someone had to find an envelope, a stamp, your address, and actually go mail it. It’s tangible proof that you matter.”

And here’s the thing—most people save those letters. They tuck them into drawers, boxes, or journals and pull them back out on hard days. I know I’ve done this with letters from friends and even notes from students back when I was teaching.

That’s the power of something so small: it lasts.

Letter Writing as Postpartum Self-Care

Now, let’s bring this into the world of postpartum motherhood.

New moms often feel isolated—especially in the winter months, or if you’re the first in your friend group to have a baby. That loneliness can feel heavy.

Amy shared that writing letters isn’t just about blessing someone else—it can actually change you. Research even backs this up: studies show handwriting letters can reduce stress by 20% and increase emotional clarity by the same amount.

So whether you’re writing to a friend, your baby, or even to yourself, the act of slowing down and putting pen to paper is healing.

Some ideas for new moms:

• Write a short thank-you note to someone who supported you during pregnancy or birth.

• Write a letter to your baby for them to read years later.

• Swap weekly “pen pal” notes with another new mom—someone who gets it.

• Write an unsent letter to release emotions you’re holding in.

You don’t need fancy stationery or long paragraphs. Even two or three lines can feel powerful.

Taking the Pressure Off

Here’s what I love most about Amy’s message: letter writing doesn’t have to be another “mom task” on your plate.

This isn’t about perfection, or adding to your to-do list. It’s about connection.

Amy suggests starting as small as a single notecard with a couple of sentences. One letter. One person. That’s it. If you never do it again, it still mattered.

But if you do keep going, you might find it becomes a lifeline for you, too.

Vulnerability, Connection, and Motherhood

We also talked about how writing letters is an act of vulnerability. Putting your thoughts and feelings on paper can feel scary, even risky.

But as I always tell my clients: vulnerability is powerful. It’s how we build real connections, especially in motherhood when so much can feel surface-level online.

And Amy reminded us that you don’t have to overshare to be meaningful. A simple, sincere note—“I’m thinking of you” or “I’m grateful for you”—can be just as impactful.

My Final Encouragement

Motherhood can feel overwhelming, but small practices like writing letters remind us we’re not alone. They’re simple, tangible ways to ground yourself, connect with others, and even leave a legacy for your children.

Amy’s words still echo in my mind: “Trust yourself. You’re doing the best you can.”

Mama, you are. And you don’t have to do it all perfectly. Connection, community, and support matter more than perfection.

Ready for more tools to help you feel supported in your postpartum journey?

Download my free Postpartum Mental Health Toolkit: A Resource Guide for New Moms—— your totally free resource for finding support, clarity, and calm in motherhood.

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