Making it pleasurable
Here are card and letter-writing hacks that have helped me sit down and get mail into the box.
- Put time aside away from your phone.
- Get an address book; it does not have to be fancy, but each time you write a note to someone, enter their address in the book (preferably in pencil, as folks move).
- I like the three-line rule for writing thank-you notes. Start the first sentence with "You." I find it takes me out of my head and into what I feel I want to express.
- Set aside the time. It takes time to write. But it can be in tiny increments; for instance, Saturday morning, I set aside 45 minutes to catch up with someone I miss.
- Buy stamps, go to the post office or online and choose the ones you like. Have them on hand. Go to Etsy or eBay and buy vintage stamps.
- Have fun; use stickers or washi tape if it is your thing. If you are not crafty, choose a pen that writes beautifully.
- Think about a time when something was memorable. I have a high school friend with a big birthday coming up. I remember being in a Ferris Wheel and the guy running the ride rocked our cage; after a moment, we realized he was looking down our shirts, and we both shouted at him.
- Sympathy cards are complicated, but one must be careful. If you are stumped, choose a suitable card and write love and your name. Check out my blog post for suggestions on what to say.
- Keep your card and letter-writing stuff in a spot that is easy to access.
Please write me a note. I will write you back.
