April is National Note and Letter Writing Month
WEEK ONE: Set your personal writing goals and get started
I hate challenges but I love setting goals
If it’s a five-day challenge, I last about two days. If it’s a 30-day challenge, I might make it to day four. But I love setting goals, and in last week’s newsletter, I suggested that if you’d like to join us in celebration this April’s National Card and Letter Writing Month, you consider picking one goal—just one. Don’t make it hard. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just decide that whichever one you choose, by the end of the month, your card and letter-writing life will be just a little better than before.
Pick one from four possible goals for the month (or set your own)
Send a card or letter more often: Challenge yourself to send at least one piece of personal mail every weekday of the month (or just a bit more often than you do already).
Give your correspondence station a makeover: Challenge yourself to create or refurbish your desk or note-writing space so it is more organized, convenient, and easy to use.
Get more creative with your correspondence: Even if you’re not “crafty” or artistic in the traditional sense of the word, you can challenge yourself to up your creativity game when it comes to notes and letters.
Support more people in need through your note and letter writing: Your words can bring comfort and joy to those who might be feeling alone, isolated, or needy.
For each goal each week, I’m going to post some suggestions and action strategies to move you in the right direction. So scroll down to the one you chose and adapt the suggestions to your own schedule and personality.
Week One Tip: Track your progress
Regardless of which goal you choose, keep notes on a calendar or in your journal so you can look back and see how far you’ve come! Be on the lookout for ideas that support your goal and jot them down so you won’t forget.
Goal #1: Write a letter a day for five days every week
The April Calendar for Note and Letter Writers that we posted last week will give you some ideas, but here are some daily tips, prompts, or ideas to ensure that you accomplish your goal:
Week One:
Day 1, Gratitude Note: Start with a gratitude note to someone who has made a difference in your life, however big or small. All month long in our Facebook group “The Art of the Heartspoken Note,” Karen Sanderson is posting tips for people you may not have thought of who would love to receive a thank-you note from you. Come join us!
Day 2, Childhood Memory: Write about a favorite childhood memory to a family member or friend who shared the experience with you.
Day 3, Local Business Appreciation: Send a letter of appreciation to a local business that you feel deserves recognition, especially if they have recently given you good service. Consider sharing your comments on their website or on a site like Yelp or Travelocity.
Day 4, Recipe Share: Write a letter to a friend sharing a favorite recipe and the story behind it. Food is such a powerful connector of people and families. EXTRA CREDIT: I would love for you to write to me and share a recipe that has a heartspoken story behind it. If I get enough, I’ll compile a cookbook. If I use your recipe, you’ll get a free copy. My contact info is here.
Day 5, Stranger Smile: Mail a note of encouragement or a friendly message to a stranger through a community project or program, or leave a note of encouragement on a table at a doctor’s office or restaurant.
Goal #2: Find a writing space or give your existing space a make-over
It’s amazing how much more writing you’ll do if you have a space that’s inviting, convenient, and functional. I find I need to do small makeovers quite often, but this month is a great time to do a serious overhaul. Focus this week on brainstorming and preparation. Take notes, make sketches, and cut out pictures of spaces you like.
Week One:
Days 1-2: Define Your Needs and Goals
Reflect on what you want to achieve. Consider comfort, lighting, privacy, and storage.
Browse through some home decor magazines or go to Pinterest or Google and search for “dream writing space” or “dream writing desk.” Get your imagination in gear.
Consider creating an actual or electronic “dream board” for ideas and pictures of spaces you love. This can be the basis for changing over time as you change yourself.
Decide on the specific types of writing you'll focus on (e.g., personal letters, journaling, creative writing).
Days 3-4: Choose a Space
Select a location in your home that can be dedicated to your writing. It should be quiet, comfortable, and free from distractions.
Consider space limitations and how you might need to rearrange furniture or declutter to make room. When there is simply no available space, consider creating a mobile desk or caddy. For more ideas, search for “small space office ideas.” This is also a great idea if you enjoy writing in different parts of your home or outside.
Days 5-7: Plan Your Budget and Shopping List
Determine how much you're willing to spend on setting up your space. Amazon, Wayfair, and Levenger are fun places to start idea-shopping.
Create a list of items to purchase or repurpose: a desk, chair, lighting, storage solutions, and writing materials. Craig’s List or your mother’s attic might be a treasure trove of possibilities.
Goal #3: Get more creative with your correspondence
Enhancing your creativity in note and letter writing will not only make your writing more enjoyable and fulfilling but also leave a lasting impression on your recipients. This first week, lay a foundation for the rest of the month. We’ll get more “crafty” later.
Week One:
Days 1-2: Inspiration and Gathering: Spend these days collecting decorative and inspirational material. Before I throw away a magazine I always cut out great words, pictures, or decorative elements to possibly glue into my correspondence later. I also love quotes, poems, or even letters written by others. Pinterest, literary websites, and historical letters archives are great places to start. On the shelf above my writing desk, I keep a book of Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations and a copy of Letters of Note edited by Shaun Usher with letters that have had an impact on history or society. Mark Twain Quotes of Wit and Wisdom is another gem.
Day 3-4: Experiment with New Formats: Try out different writing formats like postcards, letters, or even telegrams. Use video or audio recording capability from your phone or computer to create a file that can be mailed via thumb drive or, if necessary, emailed. You might even want to play around with a digital alternative to handwritten notes such as Cardly.
Day 5-7: Creative Writing Prompts to Give You a Different Perspective: Dedicate these days to creative writing exercises. Use prompts such as "Write a letter from the perspective of a historical figure" or "Compose a note that contains a secret message only the recipient can decode." Creating a cipher for a coded message is especially fun with middle schoolers.
Goal #4: Write more to those in need of love and encouragement
Focusing on this group for a whole month can deepen your empathy and compassion. We’ll start close to home (neighbors, family, acquaintances) and later in the month, we’ll expand your outreach to a wider circle of friends-to-be.
Week One:
Day 1: Define your "why." Reflect on why you want to write more notes and letters. Is it to support friends going through tough times, connect with elderly relatives, or encourage people in your community? Take a moment to tap into your heart center and then write down your answer.
Days 2-3: Identify recipients. Make a list of people you want to write to. Think broadly: family, friends, community members, or even strangers who might benefit from a kind word. Don’t worry about making a long list — you can use it later and you’ll find that on any given day, one name will call to you more than another.
Day 4: Gather materials. Ensure you have all the necessary materials: stationery, pens, stamps, and envelopes. Consider customizing materials for a personal touch.
Days 5-6: Set a realistic goal. Start small to keep it manageable; for example, aim to write one letter or note every two days. Adjust as needed based on your schedule and commitments.
Day 7: Write your first note. Keep it simple and heartfelt. This could be a note of appreciation, a motivational message, or just a few lines to say hello or “I’m thinking of you.”
Please leave comments about your experience this month!
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April is a difficult month for me, with grief close to the surface. This is a gently helpful list, Elizabeth, to draw me back to an activity which has been life-giving Thank you ❤️
Such worthy goals - all of which benefit others as well as me!