A Faraway Friend: How to Find a Pen Pal (And Why You Should)

In 2019, two-thirds of Americans “often or always” felt lonely.

Keep in mind that this was before the pandemic that shut down the world—and shut us all inside our homes. Can you imagine how different that statistic will be for 2020?

The good news is there are more ways to reach out to people than ever before. Even with social distancing or shelter-in-place orders, you can still make new friends.

In this post, we’ll tell you how to find a pen pal and why you’ll be glad you did. Read on to learn more!

Why Should I Get a Pen Pal?

Remember when you were a kid and you kept in touch with your friends from summer camp? Remember how exciting it was to run down to the mailbox and find a letter from your faraway friend waiting for you?

It might be too late to go back to summer camp, but you can recapture some of that excitement now that you’re a grown-up.

Pen pals are a terrific way to learn more about your country (or the rest of the world). You’ll be introduced to new ways of thinking and gain perspectives you wouldn’t get from people in your hometown.

Where to Find a Pen Pal in 2020

Thanks to advancements in shipping and technology, it’s easy to find a pen pal in our digital age. Here are 4 resources you can try.

1. Geek Girl Pen Pals

Don’t let the name fool you. This pen pal platform is open to enthusiasts of all genders, cultures, and backgrounds. Pen pals get matched by age, interest, or area, and most users communicate via old-fashioned letters and small packages.

Bonus: They also host digital meetups, including virtual summer camp. How cool is that?

2. PenPal World

PenPal World has been around since 1998 and has successfully helped millions of users find new pen pals. You set up a profile and make your first interactions through the website, which keeps it safe and secure for everybody.

After that, you’re free to transition to handwritten letters or emails with your new pen friends.

3. Postcrossing

Do you love sending and receiving postcards? You’ll love making new friends on Postcrossing!

When you sign up, you’ll be given an address to send a postcard to. Then you’ll sit back and wait to receive postcards from other random “postcrossers.” If you want to reach out and get to know someone better, you can get in touch via the Postcrossing website.

4. Worldwide Snail Mail Pen Pals

If you’re on Facebook, head over to the Worldwide Snail Mail Pen Pals group and put in your request to join.

Members introduce themselves with pictures and a few fun facts. Other users can choose to reach out and connect (or not) with old-fashioned snail mail.

How to Find a Pen Pal: Now You Know

There are more benefits of having a pen pal than we could list in this article, but you get the general idea.

It’s easier than ever to reach out and connect with people anywhere in the world, so what are you waiting for? Set Netflix aside for awhile and make a new friend!

Now that you know how to find a pen pal, what’s next? Be sure to browse the rest of our site for more great reads.