Letter You Won’t Send

What It Is

An uncensored letter addressed to someone living or dead, sent or unsent.

Why It Helps

Unspoken words create internal pressure. Writing gives voice to rage, love, betrayal, or longing without requiring the other person’s presence or permission. It’s closure you give yourself.

What You Need

Privacy and something to write with. Digital is fine, but handwriting can access deeper emotion.

How to Do It

Address the letter to the person. Write everything—messy, true, contradictory. Don’t edit. Say what you wish you’d said, what you’re angry about, what you miss, what you forgive or don’t. When finished, choose: keep it, burn it, bury it, or tear it up.

This Is Not Worship

It’s expressive writing therapy, proven to reduce rumination and support emotional processing.

Variations

Write multiple drafts over time, read it aloud to a trusted friend, or write a response letter from your older, wiser self.