Why I send postcards to strangers on the internet and LOVE it (and you might, too)
Mediterranean sunshine and happiness inside
Hello dear reader! Depending on the culture and country you live in, holding the door open for someone or helping a tired mum carry the stroller including the sleeping baby up the stairs may be more or less of a familiar scene.
In the most individualistic countries or where personal space is highly valued, you may find fewer of these proactive acts of kindness and connection.
Doing someone a favour, surprising them or making them smile without expecting anything in return is a rare rebellious move in our selfish world, don’t you agree?
It’s about proactive, genuine human connection.
Research shows that voluntary acts benefit our mental health and the real magic happens when there are no strings attached. While maybe more common to southern European countries or the global South, the rest of us can benefit from connecting with others this way, too!
I got this question from recently: so I decided to go deeper here.
How the idea of sending postcards to strangers was born
It started on a grey January day in Porto, Portugal. It was my birthday.
My intention was, as always when by the sea, to brainstorm creatively and reflect on life. A great birthday theme. The waves and the sense of spaciousness when looking at the sea inspire me in a way that I can’t fully describe.
Things I knew…and connections I made:
I knew something about me showing up online had to change. I wanted to invite more play, connection, creativity and fun.
I also knew that this year is my year to further reduce my screen time and go more analogue again.
I knew we all crave connection and miss the human touch in our number-driven world. I am also quite concerned how everything is about constant growth and the people behind are often forgotten. The very people who crave exactly what we crave!
I knew I wanted to give back to my readers! YOU, because without you I would be writing to myself - how boring. 😂 I don’t take anyone’s time for granted!
I decided to revive postcard writing. A tradition from my childhood.
Maybe you wrote letters to other kids as a child, too?
I had pen pals, kids I met while on a camping holiday in Italy. These friendships bound by ink didn’t last long because childhood at home on our farm was too exciting. However, I cherished the exchange with almost-strangers, peeking into their lives and sharing from mine through a few sentences at a time.
Writing by hand allows for a much deeper way to connect, to share your heart and get to know the other through their carefully formed letters. Writing is humanity distilled into ink.
The same applies to postcards. As you can tell, 20+ years later, I’m still excited, despite my handwriting that won’t ever win a beauty award.
So…let me tell you, what an adventure it’s been since I decided to send postcards again.
From start to finish, it’s been a journey.
Finding cards off-season in Italy and hunting down post offices tucked away on random roads in Greece, to making time to write with a pen on a physical piece of paper - the postcard. Lastly, how do I know if the rusty letterbox with its best days long gone is still in use?
I had NO idea people would love the postcards so much and resonate with the stories around them. I also had no idea I would inspire others to go analog and send handwritten cards to their readers, too.
The fun part:
I change the winning criteria a bit each time so everyone has a chance. The only requirement is to be on the Substack App and subscribed, so you find out about the next round… I typically share the whole process on Notes.
More reasons for sending postcards to strangers on the internet
Everyone loves winning, and winning a postcard in today’s world is somehow unexpected. Gift-giving is my love language, so I LOVE seeing happy smiles. Anyone subscribed to my publication has the chance to win (subscription is free)! One example here or here.
Human connection, small talk, exchange - I’ve gotten to know some of my winners better and feel like online friendships are forming. That wasn’t the goal, but I’m very happy with this side effect. :)
There’s something beautiful about slowing down, not thinking about what photo to post online because we’ll write about it on a postcard to a special human instead. SLOW travel, if you will. And no, the rest of the readers (or your instagram friends) aren’t missing out…
If you have an online presence of sorts, the excited recipients will share their joy, and others will raise their hands with hopes to win a postcard next time.
People reach out, wanting to be part of the growing community, and celebrate the winners, too. I would be lying if I said I was indifferent about this. I put a lot of time, thought, love and effort into bringing people together, and it fills my heart when happy people bring in more people because they truly enjoy being in my corner of the internet. Word of mouth is the best!
Some like
have NEVER received a postcard in their life. Imagine what immense joy you can bring and it only cost me 2-3$. 💛Again, totally unexpected, but I received love in return.
sent me her beautiful mindful embroidery book, a postcard and everyone many smiles and thank yous.
So, who will you send a postcard to in the spirit of community and connection, bringing people together like in a Greek taverna or at a big Italian family dinner. Making memories away from screens! Pick a friend, colleague, neighbour or online acquaintance and send them a surprise! 💖
Remember:
Lastly, please remember: Never be blinded by the online world
You may have noticed that I haven’t been in your inbox for a month. There’s a reason for that… figuring out what I really what to share and what to keep in my heart instead. A surprising large number of people resonated 💖
Thank you to everyone who commented and supported:
and others who I wasn’t able to tag for some reason 🫶 I appreciate you
What you may have missed
Summer journalling prompts and community connection included:
P.S. I almost forgot to add that this post ismy 5th contribution to
Essay Club 😇
For less than your daily coffee you can collect karma points here
Well, I didn’t know you started this movement but I saw the postcards people received being shared on Notes and because I love sending postcards anyway I decided to do the same for my subscribers. Now I know I have you to thank!
I didn’t announce it on Notes, only on Chat, and I don’t have many subscribers so the takers weren’t many but I am so happy to do it for those who sent me their address I don’t care about the numbers. Actually, since I’m new at writing to strangers maybe it was better to start small 😃.
It was a brilliant idea, thank you 🙏🏽
I loved the idea from the beginning and it is so lovely to hear more of your thinking behind it. Thank you for all you do, your thoughtfulness brings joy to everyone it touches. I felt such a connection receiving a postcard from you, especially as you also know the area I live in and hopefully could picture the streets as you wrote the address! Much love and thank you also for sharing your thoughts on writing here only when you feel the words need to be spoken xx