November is National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo). And, even though I won’t be working on my novel, I want to push myself to create some new writing habits. At first I thought I’d try my hand at short stories. But then I remembered my Box...
I have a confession: there’s a huge box in my closet FULL of stationery. (Yes, still. Even though I did this same thing last year, there have been new purchases!)
All kinds. Postcards. Birthday cards. Thank you cards. Handmade cards…I could go on, but you get the idea.
Suffice it to say I’ve been collecting these lovelies for um…years. And while I will — on occasion — dip into the treasure chest and send out a choice thank you card, more often than not, I end up adding something new.
The Great Stationery Collection (as it shall be known) only continues to biggify.
Not a bad thing, necessarily — but I feel just awful about all the lovelies languishing in a dark closet. About all the missed opportunities for real connection with other humans.
In fact, the last three times I moved (one of them just a few weeks ago), I promised myself that I would make a real plan to put all of this beauty to work. That I would write the letters I’d been meaning to write — to friends, family and yes…to my readers and clients. And that I’d follow through on my years of good intentions.
I’m a Huge Believer in the Power of the Handwritten Note
Have been since I wrote my first thank you card to grandma for that $20 bill she gave me on my 8th birthday. (It was all she could talk about for weeks!) I used to write letters all the time. Before the internet came along, that is. And then email and Facebook and…well, you get the idea.Life just happened.
The Great Stationery Collection Beckons Me
Which is where YOU come in. In exchange for your mailing address and a few choice details about yourself, I’d like to hand-write and send you a one-of-a-kind letter. It might be a postcard, a love note or a thank you card. It might say Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary or my condolences. Maybe I’ll share a dream or a fear or the cool thing that happened to me that day. It all depends on what you’re willing to share.
AND (totally optional), if you write back — well, then! We might just get to know each other better. And really — isn’t that what this ride around the sun is all about?
So, if you’re game for a little snail mail surprise from yours truly, use this form to add yourself to the list. I’ll send out one missive each day — in the order I receive your info.
And we’ll do this each November.
Ready? Go!
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What a creative idea! I was just looking at my stash of stationery and wondering if I’d ever be able to use it all in this lifetime. Doing an activity like this would one way to use it up. How exciting! You and the recipients will have fun.
What a lovely idea! I’ve signed up, so I hope mailing to the UK is OK 🙂
Tea, why are you so awesome?
How lovely, I hope the recipients appreciate the joy your lovelies will bring 🙂
Yay! Hope you signed up, Melanie. Looking forward to this project more than I can say.
This idea is too cool for words, Tea! But I have a feeling a lot of beautiful words will be written during this project. *Grin*Can’t recall the last time I received a handwritten note. Was probably at least a decade ago. There’s certainly nothing wrong with electronic communication but give me the good old fashioned stuff any day of the week! In my opinion, some things NEVER go out of style. 🙂
I love this, Tea! You are just such a rockin’ fabulous woman! <3 This post inspired me to jot down some ideas and a supplies list for some fun paper decorations with notes attached for the family this year for the holiday!! 🙂 thanks
Hi Ms. Sarah! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you signed up? You know I’m mailing overseas, too?
What a wonderful idea Tea. I love sending and receiving hand written cards and letters. A quick email greeting just doesn’t convey the same personal touch. I have a friend who makes the most beautiful cards and all proceeds go to the children’s hospital. Needless to say, I don’t get my cards anywhere else. If you feel like increasing instead of decreasing your collection, let me have your mailing address so I can send you something special.Best regardsElizabeth Todd
I haven’t but I know someone who would treasure a note. Would it be okay to nominate them? I can leave more details on the form, if that’s okay.
Thanks Sandi! Can’t wait to write you a letter, my friend.
Alaia, just trying to be worthy of People as fabulous as yourself. *grin*
Oh my gosh, this reminds me of the first time I was a pen-pal in grade 3! And…I have a similar (and always growing) stationery collection :)Inspiring as always Chef Tea!
What a wonderful idea! I’ll be doing NaNoWriMo. I plan on having a novella finished and published to Kindle. (It is scary saying that out loud).
Hi Tea, what a fun project you’ve selected for NaNoWriMo/Contentpalooza! I can’t wait to see the end result. I’m playing too. I’ll be writing my book (tentative title = The Dare Change Manifesto). I’m working on a blog post and email to go public with my plans this week too. So fun!!