Last updated on 11/02/2010
When I was a girl my mother insisted that I write thank you notes each time I received a gift. While I’m forever grateful for her attentiveness to such matters of etiquette, I have to admit that the receipt of a gift carried with it a bit of dread. I’m pretty sure that I didn’t write a thank you note for each gift I received. I’m very certain that I hated writing the ones that I did write. Mass production of “Thank you so much for the pretty stationery and the cute dog figurine. I will enjoy using the stationery and the dog looks really cute on my dresser. Love, Jane”… Dread! I’m getting that feeling of insufficient drudgery right now, as I’m writing this….I’m pretty sure I’m even turning up my lip a little bit. Not that I’m not grateful for receiving gifts, but the note-writing, in itself, was always such a chore.
Well, I’ve matured into the whole note-writing thing. I like to write, and I adore stationery. So now, 35 years later, I find myself actually wanting to write hand-written notes to people that I care about, for no reason at all, other than to tell them that I’ve been thinking about them, that they’ve made a difference in my life, or that I love them. I don’t, however, write notes as often as I’d like to, nor do I actually put them in the mailbox (I’ll explain that in a minute). Thus, my 30 Notes in 30 Days Project. I surprised even myself last night, all atwitter at the prospect of contacting these 30 people. This, my mother will attest, will be a noteworthy feat!
In order to be successful with this project, I’ve come up with a few guidelines to help me through.
- I am allowed to write more than one note on a given day. If I write 2 notes, I’ll just mail them on successive days.
- I am allowed to pre-address envelopes. Most of the notes I write these days never make it to the mailbox because I never get around to finding the address and actually writing it on the envelope. (Is this hard for anyone else?)
- The only decision I have to make each day is who I’ll choose to write to. I made sure the cards I bought would be appropriate for each person on my list. I don’t have to deliberate over whether I should send my aunt the one with the flowers on the front, or whether I should save that one for my mom…all of the note cards are exactly alike.
- I’m not writing the date on any of the notes. I’ll just do one each day, and know I’ve written 30 when my 3 packs of 10 cards each are all gone…I’m going to try really hard not to mess up a note and have to start over…messing up and starting over can be added to the description of hindrances in paragraph 2.
I adore receiving hand-written notes, and am guessing that other people do, too. In the age of email, Twitter, and Facebook, hand-written notes are few and far between. I’m unbelievably excited about this project. I actually wrote my first note tonight, to Dr. Charles Matthews, a wonderfully kind doctor who has been part of my journey. I just wanted to say hi, and thank you. Tomorrow, I think I’ll write to my little sister, Julie.
If you have note-writing issues of your own that you’d like to conquer, or if 30 Notes in 30 Days sounds like fun, and not drudgery, join me. Leave a comment, or drop me an e-mail at teenytinypieces@gmail.com …let me know how your 30 Notes in 30 Days Project goes….
Take good care,
Jane
Great! Quite a public commitment to take up writing. If you want to be good at something, in particular, you need to practice it every day. There was a time when I worked at producing a poem a day. I have to say, it improves your thought process and your writing ability.
In addition, a comment on the “Thank You” notes . . . I have decided this is now a lost art. I, myself have become lax, not always responding appropriately, as it seems this is the current way, no matter what Emily or more modern etiquette writers say. Seems a lot of folks just think you are trying to be toooo correct and make them look bad : (
As a ninety-six year old friend of mine told me recently when I visited her in a long term care facility, “Things have changed since Emily Post wrote her book on Etiquette, I have learned that mashed potatoes, ice cream and gravy are now finger foods!” A vision of pure delight.
My quick-witted friend is now allowed the privilege of being served her meals after the “new rule”diners have finished their finger foods.
Keep at it.
Thank you for the letter. Love you, Mom
Hi Jane,
What a bold commitment to make! Hand-writing notes is becoming a lost art, and I am so glad that you reminded me of the beauty of sending something so personal. Yes, it takes a few minutes to do this, but receiving a note in the mailbox is truly a gift.
Will you send me your address by email? I’d love to send you a note!
Your blog looks stunning. Congrats on Leo’s praise! I am becoming a subscriber right now.
Barrie
@Mom,
Thanks for writing…I love your story about “Ms. K”. I can only pray that by the time ice cream becomes finger food for me, I’ll have such clarity and sense of humor!
Thanks also for making me write all of those thank you notes. Writing notes isn’t yet a lost art. 🙂 You taught me to be a good writer, and you continue to help me become a better writer. Thanks for your love and support.
Love you!
Jane
@Barrie
6 Days into the project, and I can report that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it so-far. Picking someone to write to, and then thinking of what I’d like to tell them has been a rich experience for me. Writing to friends we met on our honeymoon brought back the sights and smells of Paris….writing to my brother and sisters reminded me that, while we no longer live in the same cities, they’re only a phone call, an email, or a hand-written note away, and I should never be too busy to tell them that I love them.
So, here’s to old friends, and to new….and to doing our tiny part to keep note-writing alive and well.
Take good care,
Jane
I’ve been pretty good through the years with writing thank you notes but slipping a little lately. lol. I used to write people personal notes occasionally too and that too is slipping lately. I have become a dyed in the wool emailer I’m afraid and I know that’s just the easy way to do things. I like easy but I also hope I don’t give up on personal, hand-written notes altogether, that would be a shame. Thank you for including me in your blog, I really love hearing what you have to say!
Love,
Nancy
A noble effort! The art of the handwritten note or letter has been lost. You have inspired me to do more of the same. Thanks! Janet
Thanks for your kind words, Janet and Nancy. I have so enjoyed writing the notes. I hope you’ll try it. The time I spend writing brings intention and centering. Gifts worthy of giving yourself.
Take good care,
Jane