When is the last time you told someone you loved them? When is the last time you sent someone you love a real personal message or letter? If you’re debating timing in your brain or how personal the last convo was, there’s probably something left unsaid or it has been a while. Too long, even. So there’s your current problem with love, regret.
Unless you’re a computer AI, you already know there’s no real secret to making people fall in love with you. It’s about creating a connection and being genuine in general.
This is actually a trap. A keep it real trap. I call it the “I Heart You Project.” It will humble you, inspire you and share your [happy happy - joy joy] feelings with the people who deserve to hear it the most.
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Mission Supplies
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This is what you need to get operation “I Heart You” done:
- Writing tools (paper & pen or computer & printer)
- An envelope
- A stamp
- 10-20 minutes of your time
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Four Simple Steps
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1) Make a list of the people you love
2) Compile their addresses
3) Write a short but sweet personal letter
4) Send it and make note of the date
Let’s get started shall we?
Step 1 & 2 – Your Hit List
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The world is ending, and you have only a few minutes left to talk to the people you love to say goodbye. Who do you call? Besides GhostBusters, I bet a few names jump to mind. These aren’t your run of the mill ‘friends.’ These are the people that made an impact in your life and deserve to know you care about them. Many you probably haven’t talked to in a long time. Like your grandma, favorite aunt or best friend from school.
Will it really take an end of the world situation to wake you up and reconnect with the people you love, who should hear how awesome they are anyways? Start taking names. When you’re done, start getting mailing addresses together. I didn’t have any at first either, so I bugged them for it directly. No excuses.
Step 3 – What to Write About
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“Oh ChickTech lady, it has been so long since I talked to this person, I don’t know where to start!” Trust me, I feel you. You probably have more going on than you can put on a few sheets of paper. So keep it light, friendly and personal like this snail mail template:
Final Step – Send and Date it
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I don’t have to tell you how to drop a piece of mail off at the post office. At least I hope not. But I do want to remind you about the importance of organization. This is a project after all. So go ahead, and organize this like the rest of your important projects. I’ve included an example of my own below with all the above steps mapped out into columns.
*info changed for privacy
Why save the date? So you can keep track of when you last connected. I recommend setting an alert in your web calendar/agenda too for when you want to reach out again. And yes, you can keep the entire process on paper. It’s just that much easier stored online (where you can’t lose it).
For personal flair, I try to paint a custom watercolour card for each person (as shown in its own column).
It’s always the little things that mean the most. Like receiving a letter from an old friend who took the time to say hi. A funny card from your grandma. Or a beautiful poem from your mom. For the sake of the people who deserve your praise, I hope you’ve already gotten started. If not, go forth and inspire greatness in others…one letter at a time. They might just love you for it.