THE LOST ART OF HAND-WRITTEN THANK YOU NOTES
Aaah, the lost (to many) art of the hand-written thank you note. Call me old-school; call me nostalgic; or call me a fool for spending so much money on stamps, but I love the art of the old-fashioned, hand-written thank you note.
I have boxes and boxes of hand-written notes in my office closet (one of the many reasons that going full on Marie Kondo is hard for me). I’ve received sweet photos over the years from former team members who have carried a note around from me to multiple locations, cities, and houses since our time together in the corporate world. And in our world of so much electronic noise, I find the simple acts of both writing, and reading, a hand written note to be a delight.
If you, too, have a love of hand written thank you notes - or if you want to incorporate a few more hand-written notes into your weekly rhythms, here are a few possible places to start.
MAKE IT EASY.
Make it easy to send hand-written notes by having all of the supplies you need on hand. Keep one box of notecards and sheet of stamps at your desk and another in your bag or purse, so that you’re prepared to write a quick note when you have a few free minutes. Bonus: pre-stamp your blank envelopes or postcards and keep them at the ready.
PURCHASE NOTECARDS IN A SIZE THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR WRITING PREFERENCES.
I loved this piece of advice from Erin at Reading My Tea Leaves. “For the tiny handwriting folks among us, I suggest investing in cards of a proportionate size. No need to up your anxiety by having a humongous card to fill up with perfect prose.”
ALLOW IT TO BE IMPERFECT.
Research on grief has found that oftentimes, people say nothing because they’re not sure what to say. The same can be true for writing handwritten notes. Saying something imperfect - whether thank you, thinking of you, or just a simple hello - is often a preferred alternative to saying nothing at all.
TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE PERSON YOU’RE WRITING TO.
Prior to writing the note, take some time to reflect on the great qualities of the person you’re writing to - her thoughtfulness, generosity, kindness, creativity, professionalism, knowledge, or being a great friend. Mention this in your note. Bonus: this doubles as a personal gratitude practice as well.
THINK BIGGER.
Think about the people in your day-to-day life who you’re thankful for. Friends, family - and the people you interact with who make your life better by being in it - the barista, the parking garage attendant, the server at your favorite restaurant. Write a note of gratitude to those people, and tell them why you’re grateful for them. Even better than mailing the card - deliver it in person and read it out loud to them. Courageous: yes. Touching: that too.
WHEN IN DOUBT, SEND IT.
If you’re not sure if you should send a thank you note, the answer is likely yes. In addition to the impact on the sender, research has proven that having a gratitude practice increases our own happiness and well-being as well.
FOR MORE:
Habit Shift: Saying Thanks - Reading My Tea Leaves Blog
Gratitude for Thanksgiving and Beyond - Zing Collaborative Blog
