Why We’re Moving from Live Chat to Letters
Sometimes, the slowest choice is the most honest one.
Over the past months, we’ve spent time reflecting on how The Slow Edit is used, not just by readers, but by us too. What began as a quiet experiment in connection slowly asked us an important question:
What kind of space do we actually want to hold?
After sitting with that question, we’ve decided to retire our previous live chat sessions and move toward something that feels more aligned, sustainable and true to the spirit of this place.
We’re introducing Letters to The Slow Edit.
Why we chose to retire live chat
Live chat offered immediacy, but it also came with things we hadn’t fully anticipated.
1. Slowness matters to us
Live chat, by nature, creates urgency, the sense that words must be formed and responded to in real time. Over time, we realised this didn’t fully align with the way we believe reflection works.
Some thoughts need space before they need replies.
Some feelings arrive more clearly when written, not spoken.
Letters allow for that pause.
2. Writing encourages reflection, not reaction
When people write, they tend to:
- slow down
- choose words more carefully
- understand their own thoughts better
- share more honestly
Live chat often asks for immediacy.
Letters invite intention.
3. Boundaries are a form of care
Live chat can blur lines, emotional, practical and sometimes even professional. While we always set boundaries, we realised that a written format allows those boundaries to be held more naturally.
Letters:
- reduce pressure for instant responses
- remove the feeling of “being on call”
- allow us to respond grounded, not rushed
- protect both the writer and the reader
This makes the space safer and more sustainable for everyone.
4. Sustainability matters
The Slow Edit is built slowly, alongside full lives. For this space to exist long-term, it needs to be something we can show up for consistently, without burnout, without urgency, without compromise.
Letters allow us to read and respond with care, within our capacity.
5. Being heard doesn’t always require conversation
Many people don’t want advice.
They don’t want fixing.
They don’t want solutions.
They just want to be heard.
Letters make room for that, for venting, sharing and releasing something without needing it to turn into dialogue.
Introducing: Letters to The Slow Edit
Letters to The Slow Edit is a quiet invitation to write.
You can send a letter if you:
- need to vent
- want to share something personal
- feel stuck or overwhelmed
- don’t need advice, just acknowledgment
- want a place to put words that feel heavy
There’s no format.
No expectation to be polished.
No pressure to explain why.
You can write to us at:
We read every letter.
When we’re able, we’ll reply slowly, thoughtfully and with care.
If all you want is to be heard, we’ll let you know your words landed.
What this space is – and what it isn’t
Letters to The Slow Edit is:
- reflective
- peer-to-peer
- unhurried
- human
It is not:
- therapy
- counselling
- crisis support
- professional advice
We’re not licensed professionals and this space isn’t designed for emergencies. If you’re in distress or unsafe, we encourage you to seek immediate help from a licensed professional or local emergency services.
To protect everyone involved, please don’t include personal identifying details, medical or legal information, or anything that requires professional intervention.
Why letters feel right for now
Because writing slows us down.
Because words carry weight when they’re not rushed.
Because some things don’t need fixing, just witnessing.
Letters allow us to hold space without urgency, without expectation, and without noise.
And for The Slow Edit, that feels like the right next step.
If this way of connecting resonates with you, our inbox is open.
🌿Elian & Mira