AI can write poems, summarize meetings, and draft essays in seconds. It’s impressive—and sometimes incredibly useful. But when it comes to my emails, there’s one line I’m not crossing.
Not because AI isn’t capable.
But because emails are personal—and that still matters.
This isn’t an anti-AI argument. It’s a human one.
The Purpose Behind This Choice
Emails are more than information delivery. They’re how we show tone, care, boundaries, and respect. Whether it’s a quick check-in, a difficult conversation, or a simple thank-you, emails carry intent—and intent deserves a human voice.
For me, writing my own emails is about staying present in my relationships, even the professional ones.
Emails Are Where Tone Really Lives
A single sentence can feel warm, cold, rushed, or thoughtful depending on how it’s written. AI can approximate tone, but it doesn’t feel context.
It doesn’t know:
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The history behind the conversation
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The emotion under the words
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When softness matters more than efficiency
Emails live in the gray area of communication—and that’s where humans still do best.
Authenticity Can’t Be Automated
People can tell when something feels generic. It’s subtle, but it’s there: the overly polished phrasing, the perfect balance that feels slightly off.
When I write an email myself, it sounds like me. My rhythm. My pauses. My way of being clear or kind or firm. That authenticity builds trust, and trust compounds over time.
Convenience Isn’t Always the Goal
Yes, AI can save time. But not everything meaningful needs to be optimized.
Writing emails forces me to slow down and think:
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What do I actually want to say?
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How might this land on the other person?
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What matters most in this message?
That pause is valuable. It makes communication more intentional instead of transactional.
Emails Shape Relationships
We underestimate how much small interactions matter. A thoughtful email can strengthen a connection. A careless one can quietly damage it.
When I write my own emails, I take responsibility for the relationship on the other side of the screen. I don’t want that filtered through a system that doesn’t know the people involved.
Where AI Does Have a Place
This isn’t about rejecting AI entirely. I’ll happily use it to:
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Organize thoughts
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Check clarity
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Brainstorm structure
But the final words—the ones that get sent—are mine. Because those words represent me.
Why This Still Matters in an AI World
As technology becomes more capable, human intention becomes more valuable. The things we choose to do ourselves—especially when we don’t have to—say something about who we are.
Writing my own emails is one of those choices.
Final Thought
AI can write emails. But it can’t replace care, context, or conscience.
In a world moving faster every day, choosing to write your own words is a quiet act of presence. And for me, that’s worth the extra time.
Because sometimes, being human is the point.
