I have always loved pretty papers and notecards (see: sampling above). I’ve eagerly scrawled my thoughts and dreams neatly to pen pals and sent holiday and birthday wishes to people in my world. Even before COVID, I’d started to get pulled away from that, lured by the fastidiousness and immediacy of technology in a world that seemed to be spinning out of control. I was becoming assimilated despite my protestations that I never would. I knew email wasn’t the same as paper, but time and busy and…
Enough of that nonsense.
The quarantine slow down brought me back to a place of stillness, of remembering the simple joy of cursive connection — of choosing the card, deciding what to say, writing it neatly, addressing the envelope, choosing just the right stamp, and dropping it in the blue postal box.
After finally catching up with myself after a year of COVID time-confusion, I’ve decided I wanted to send cards again. SNAIL MAIL FOREVER! It’s too late for Christmas cards (obvs) but not for New Year’s greetings. I searched my favorite brands online and hope to receive my new cards soon.
This is just the beginning — my postal proclivities are reborn. This again will be something I do on the regular, as I think I’ll go back to wearing skirts all the time, which I did years before COVID but got out of the habit.
I’ll write a note to myself, perhaps even mail it, to then keep in a drawer where I can see it often, to remind me to not forget these parts of myself again. To not make the reminder have to come in the form of an unearthing pandemic or other great life tremor that returns me to my roots in many ways. May I never forget, I’ll write to myself, the things that start to slip my mind when I get caught up in the whirlwind of, well, the world as it is. Remain in the world as I want it to be, as I hope it can be — one that takes its time and puts people first and values true connection, since that’s really the only thing that matters.
Which stamp to choose for my note to myself: the Mister Rogers or the Star Trek? Buy a set of new stamps just for the occasion? And for the myriad notecards that will go out this year to various people in my life — and friends not yet met as well. Pretty papers that hold so much more than a drawing or phrases of good wishes.
Pieces of me delivered to pieces of you that fit together like a puzzle, to create a bond, even for just a moment in time.
All that from fancy-ish funtastic paper and a pen and words. What a glorious gift to us all — amazing, powerful, illuminating, connecting words.
Oh Tara, this makes me so happy to read! I am a card maker and sell them on my Etsy site so obviously I hope that you will inspire others to use snail mail again too. Love your sample above.
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Add your link to your Etsy site so people can find it if they stop by here, Janet! I wish more people used snail mail. *sigh*
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Oh thanks, Tara! Here is my Etsy site. Yes, the fun of getting something in the mail never gets old.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ASmile4UfromJanet
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I like cards too and used to write lots of letters. It is equally lovely to receive a letter or card. I bought some lovely stamps too – special James Bond stamps, they look gorgeous. I need to write now though. 🙂
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It is lovely to send and receive handwritten cards/notes, you’re right! James Bond stamps! They really do have everything. 🙂
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Hey Tara – I have snowflake cards that I am making out this weekend – were supposed to be Xmas and now will be new year greetings just like you noted
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And your joy about cards and snail mail was uplifting to read
And imagining the stamps was fun too!
Nice aim for the year – and your boxed set in the photo sounds good.
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Glad I’m not the only one sending out cards after January 1. 🙂 Time is weird during a pandemic. I may start doing both when we get back to “normal.” Can’t have enough mail if you ask me.
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This sort of ties in – but I heard someone suggest that folks should also print some photos that mean a lot. Archive paper and to not just leave behind digital stuff when it comes to family photos or special shots
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That’s a good idea! I still have pictures printed and put them in albums. Old school. 🙂
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Wow – that is old school and good for you!
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I’ve done NY cards since 2013 and love sending random notes or postcards to people. They are always delighted! I also enjoy buying cool stamps from the USPS. My last set was “Winter Scenes.” They were beautiful.
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The winter scenes stamps are lovely, I agree! Happy to meet another note/card sender!
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I’m a fan of snail mail and find it way more personal than texting, email etc. I wish more ppl were into snail mail! It seems to be a lost art for sure.
This year, I conjured up enough energy to send 4 valentines/bday cards which is very little compared to other years 🙇♀️
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I. Hate. Texting. I’m a fan of technology, but texting has always annoyed me. The abbreviations! The hitting the wrong letters! The autocorrect that’s nowhere near what I meant to say! AHHHH! Happy to meet another letter writing fan! Good on ya sending the Valentines and bday cards!
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