Our tips for keeping your loved ones close, even when they are far away.

You feel it. We feel it. Beneath all of this news and noise and list-making, the reality of being separated from the ones we love is trickling in. While we know this is temporary (let’s not forget), it’s a difficult thing to accept. Having to distance ourselves from friends, family and familiar faces is strange and sad, and leaves us all feeling a little out of control. Suddenly, the guy behind the desk at your local corner shop feels like an old chum you can’t wait to catch up with. There’s an awkward-neighbour-shaped hole in your life. And what you’d give to throw your arms around your favourite yoga teacher, who you’ve only exchanged quiet ‘thank you’s with before.

While accepting all of this may be difficult, it also gives us a chance to reflect on the relationships - big and small - that make our lives whole. In a world where our friends and family are never truly far away, we’ve lost touch with the art of slow communication. Of waiting patiently for a reply, or trying to fit our scribbles onto one A5 piece of card. So as we slow down and settle into life inside, it might just be the perfect time to pick up a pen and write. To your mum, your aunt across the ocean, or your neighbour down the hallway who feels a little too far away.

Take a look at Sofia Gallarate’s Ode to Postcards from The Sunday Paper for some sepia-toned inspiration…

Feeling crafty? After you’ve unearthed all of your old magazines in that deep clean, try some good old fashioned collaging using cutouts and old photos. After that, paint a love note or two over the top and post to those in need of a little colour.

For some long-lasting sweetness to tuck in with your letters, take a look at this recipe for ANZAC cookies, oaty little biscuits with a long history of staying fresh. Our favourite way of posting these is wrapped up in brown baking paper and tied up with string.

Finally, nothing really beats a long, handwritten letter. It’s funny what can pour out onto a page that can never be said over text. Yes, your handwriting might be a little rusty and it’ll take a moment to adjust to the pace, but there are few pleasures simpler and more meaningful than putting pen to paper.

Our friends over at Papier have had a similar idea, and are encouraging you to share snippets of your letter writing and card-sending with the hashtag #positivepost.

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