You’re not behind or late!
By now, I can hear some of you saying, “What was I thinking when I set these goals?” While April’s National Card and Letter Writing Month was a good excuse to challenge ourselves by setting goals to make our writing life better, it may not be the best time for you to do any of it. You can start any time and go at your own pace. For your convenience, here’s the link to what’s already been posted:
Special offer for subscribers
After this month, I plan to bundle all the month’s activities up and offer it as an eBook for easy reference. That way, any time you want to supercharge your note-writing life you can pull out some activities. If you’re an official subscriber before May 1, 2024, you’ll get access to it for free. For others there will be a charge to defray the cost. So make sure you’re subscribed.
Week Two Tip: Don’t get discouraged
The ideas below are just brainstorming on my part, and not all the ideas will appeal to you. Just read over the Week 2 ideas for each goal, pick and choose what you like and make them work for YOU. Discard the rest or save them for another time.
Goal #1: Write a letter a day for five days every week
Week Two:
Day 1, Travel Memory: Share a memorable travel story with a friend and include a photo if you have one. Or make a sketch if you don’t.
Day 2, Teacher Thanks: Write a thank-you note to a teacher or mentor who has impacted your life.
Day 3, Book Recommendation: Send a friend a letter with a book recommendation and why you think they would enjoy it.
Day 4, Self-Reflection: Write a letter to your future self about your current hopes, dreams, and challenges.
Day 5, Child's Perspective: If you have children in your life, write a note from their perspective to someone they care about.
If you need more ideas, check out The April Calendar for Note and Letter Writers.
Goal #2: Find a writing space or give your existing space a make-over
Week Two: Setting up the Space
Days 1-2: Arrange (or rearrange) your main furniture pieces
Purchase or repurpose a desk and a comfortable chair. Ensure they fit well in your chosen space and are ergonomically supportive for long writing sessions.
Arrange the furniture to maximize natural light and minimize distractions. Consider facing a window or having a pleasant view.
Days 3-7: Organize and personalize your space
Roam around your house with an eye for furniture, items, boxes, shelves, containers, or anything that might lend itself to a new purpose in your writing space.
Buy or find home organization supplies for your writing materials. This might include shelves, desk organizers, or decorative boxes. When your supplies are easy to see and find, you’re more likely to use them!
Personalize your space with items that inspire you, such as artwork, plants, or a bulletin board for ideas and inspiration. In and around my writing space, I have artwork by three different friends in three different media. I also have a lightcatcher from my son-in-law hanging in the window.
Goal #3: Get more creative with your correspondence
Week Two: Personalization and style
Days 1-2: Handwriting practice: Work on your handwriting or calligraphy. Experiment with different styles to find one that suits your personality and adds a personal touch to your letters. You can find free practice worksheets online. I was amazed when I looked at a journal from five decades ago that my handwriting at the time slanted in the opposite directly from the way it does now.
Day 3-4: Personalization techniques: Learn how to personalize each note or letter. This could involve tailoring the content to the recipient's interests, including personal anecdotes, or adding custom decorations. I like to use a package of assorted stamps I found in a craft store with everything from animals and flowers to cartoon characters. I can usually find something appropriate for the person I’m writing.
Day 5-7: Creative envelopes and stationery: Try making your own envelopes or stationery. Use different materials and decorations like stamps, stickers, or drawings to make each letter unique. Understand the unique appeal of each one. Read the wonderful guest post by Christine Richards “Hidden Treasures: Found Paper Stationery.” From sugar bags to wallpaper, if you can write on it, you can turn it into a letter. Here’s a video tutorial for making your own envelopes:
Reach out to friends and ask what they like in letters. This can provide personalized insights. I suggest—no, I URGE—you to stay away from adding glitter to your missives. It gets on everything and is hard to remove.
Goal #4: Write more to those in need of love and encouragement
Week Two: Establishing the Habit
Write daily or as often as is manageable for you. Dedicate a specific time of day for writing. Morning might work for some, while others may find evening hours more peaceful.
Tips:
Keep the list of recipients you made in Week 1 handy and add to it as you think of people to whom you could write: friends, neighbors, church attendees, work associates, employees, bosses, elderly or housebound family members, students away at school, young men and women serving in the military.
Incorporate this activity into your daily routine, such as after breakfast or right before bedtime.
Keep your materials in a designated spot to minimize barriers to getting started each day.
Experiment with different types of messages: gratitude, encouragement, memories shared, or updates about your life. Google can be your research assistant if you want to find suggested words.
When you don’t have a mailing address, try looking for it on https://whitepages.com.
Please leave comments about your experience this so far! Let me know if you have anything you’re struggling with or need help with.
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