How to write a love letter

A beautiful love letter film written by Haley

To listen to the blog, click play in the audio box below.

I am one of those people, old school romantics, who truly believes that everyone has a book in them. I find that writing, particularly writing letters, is exceptionally therapeutic to me and offers me the space, time and connection with myself to allow truthful reflections and processing so many of us seek through activities like meditation and yoga.

I truly find the process exceptionally cathartic and I have long been a fan of putting paper to pen, and just writing.

 When I was twenty weeks pregnant with Edie, I started writing letters to her. Sometimes, they were longer letters about my experiences of pregnancy and motherhood, some were musings about life and some were as simple as annotated receipts to show the costs of our weekly shop.

My daughter now has about 100 letters I have written to her and continue to do so, which are my authentic experience and my emotional journey.

When I started putting films together then, I felt drawn to include not only noises from the session but offer a package, a service which is centred around all the unspoken emotions and words which punctuated the beautiful imagery in front of me.

The first time I put the two together for a film of my own, I knew that it was something I needed to offer and now, the love letter package is one of my favourite packages. Not only do I find that it offers me and my clients a deeper connection, as I help them through this process, but it offers parents the chance to create that dialogue with themselves and with their children in a way that they perhaps hadn’t thought of before or had the time to do.

I thought then, for this blog, I would share and discuss the letter writing process that works for me and would work for a love letter film. 

 1. Feng shui

Create a calm environment within your home or at your desk. Perhaps pop a candle on and make sure there is nothing in the environment that is going to distract you or pull you from this very important task. 

2. Breathwork

Take a moment to breathe; in and out.Place your hands on your chest and feel the connection and love which emanates within you. Drawing on this divine and unique feeling will help you connect and communicate your ideas more clearly and build a creative bridge. 

3. Inspiration

Have a think about your favourite songs, poems, quotes and ideas which accurately articulate your experience and resonate with you.Notice any patterns or words that are prevalent. 

 4. Rhythm

The process of a spoken love letter or written one is exceptionally similar to a spoken word poem. Notice where you naturally want to pause for a moment of reflection. Close your eyes and sway your body when you’re thinking about your next line.

5. Think horizontally

The timeline or event structure of your letter does not need to be linear, our journey into parenthood is certainly not. Punctuate your letter with memory and events of emotional significance but don’t worry if it’s not in chronological order.

6. Say lines aloud, free from judgement and alone.

We all know that public speaking or even speaking from the heart can be intimidating. Find a safe space to read lines aloud to help you.

 7. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Most letters, especially those spoken, tend to be a stream of consciousness and they don’t have to be perfect. This is fundamentally a letter which is for you and your child/children.Be authentic.

8. If it’s not working, move on and try again later. 

This process should be therapeutic and enjoyable.

 What I’m hopeful that these tips will encourage is a moment of piece and reflection, and some space to curate a love letter, which you may choose to put over a family film, if you’d like, or it be the start of a personal and deep journey of connection and legacy, for yourself and your loved ones.`;