Making A Few Words Say A Lot
Making a Few Words Say a Lot by Swell Made Co. Photo by Helena Hertz.
Hooray!
I’m so glad you’ve decided to make card writing a regular part of your life. It’s such a simple way to stay connected to the people you love and make them feel special. Especially in a time where we’re physically distant. April also happens to be National Card and Letter Writing Month. Everyone loves getting mail, right? I know I do.
Since you are going to be sending out so much love into the world, I wanted to make sure you got a little something back.
I’m sharing a series about writing that you’ll usually only find in our subscription boxes as booklets. This series is full of great tips, stories, creative inspiration and fun facts to help you keep your life (and your writing) simple but significant.
Lesley Robb,
Founder + Designer
Swell Made Co.
The Power Of Words
Words are what make our ideas come to life. Whether we’re thinking, speaking, or writing, words are the way we express thoughts and feelings. This makes words powerful. In fact, they may be one of the most powerful tools we have.
‘Without words, a thought can never become a reality.’ - Katherine Hurst The Power of Words: How Words Impact Your Life
Do you remember your mother saying to you “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? For most of us, this was our first lesson in the power of words.
Words make people feel.
Unfortunately, in a world of on-the-fly texting, DMs, emojis, and ‘likes’, we often respond without really thinking about the words we use. We have forgotten the power of words, and that’s really too bad.
Words can tear people down or build them up. They can spark joy or sadness, inspiration or fear. Whether you are talking to yourself or someone else, the words you choose matter. They affect you and the person you are communicating with so, choosing your words carefully is an important responsibility.
How Words Change Your Brain
Creating a map of your brain would be a never-ending job. The brain is constantly reinventing itself; always building new pathways, and letting the old ones fall away, based on what information it is being fed. Information comes to us in many ways (think about everything you see, hear, smell, touch, and taste in the course of a day). Anything processed on a conscious level is expressed as a thought and what is a thought but a string of words?
In some ways, the brain is incredibly complicated. But, in others, it’s very simple. If you think or say something enough times, your brain adapts and builds new pathways so that you can respond to those thoughts faster. This is true whether you’re talking to yourself (aka. self-talk) or are reacting to words delivered by someone else.
For better or for worse, words can change our brains.
An Exercise In Being Intentional
One of the reasons writing a card by hand is so meaningful is the chance it gives you to express yourself intentionally. There’s no predictive text or backspace, friend. It’s just you, your thoughts, a card and a pen.
If you think about it, before you even pick up that pen, writing a card requires you to be intentional.
You have to slow down and think about why you are sending a card and who you are sending it to. After all, the card has to suit the occasion and the person’s individual tastes, right? Once you’ve chosen the right card, next up is choosing a pen and, of course, the right words.
What Your Handwriting Says About You
Did you know that the way you write, from the curve of your letters to the colour of the ink you use, says a lot about your personality? The art and science called Graphology has made a study of it.
If you want to add another layer of intention to your card writing, consider what colour pen you use.
Blue Ink suggests caring and understanding which would be perfect for a note of condolence or a ‘Thank You’.
Black Ink suggests authority, tradition, and formality and would be ideal for a sincere letter of apology.
Red Ink is usually associated with BIG feelings and would be a great choice for a love letter or to add a fancy touch to a lighthearted message.
Making A Few Words Say A Lot
If you get stressed when you sit down to try and write a card, you’re not alone. Choosing the right words can seem like a tough job when you have a small space to work with. You need to find a way to make a few words say a lot.
Sometimes it’s easier to let the words flow and edit your message down when you’re done. If you aren’t sure where to start or have hit a wall (Hello, writer’s block!) put your card aside and grab a spare piece of paper.
Occasions That Call For A Card
The history of sending handwritten cards and letters is a long one. The oldest recorded handwritten letter was written by the Persian Queen Atossa in 500 BC but it was not until 1840 that something resembling today’s stationery and postal system emerged and sending cards and letters in the mail was accessible to almost anyone.
There is something special about receiving a card in the mail, which is probably why sending cards is a tradition that keeps right on going.
While there is no wrong time to send a card (who doesn’t like getting a reminder that someone is thinking of them from time to time?) there are definitely some occasions when sending a card is the right thing to do.
Celebrations + Holidays (pretty much any occasion that calls for a party hat calls for a card!)
Hellos + Goodbyes (when someone has lost a loved one or welcomes a new baby into the world, a meaningful card is always a good move)
I’m Sorry + Thank You (if emotions are running high, apologies and gratitude can be tough to express in person. Writing a heartfelt card is usually appreciated)
Keeping a variety of cards handy (like the ones in our subscription box or 12 for $40 bundles!) means you will be ready to write something special for someone you care about when the opportunity comes along.
When you purchase cards, you’ll receive a PDF that breaks down The Art and Science of Writing Meaningful Cards. It’s full of insightful prompts and gold card writing formulas to make card writing simple and fun! Thanks for reading today and happy writing, swell friends.