14 days ago, I put out an appeal for volunteer writers to help me write Happinotes. I was so excited about the demand from charities, local authorities, hospital trusts and those in need but quickly realised there was no way I would be able to write them all myself! In just 2 weeks, I have over 50 willing writers, enthusiastically producing the most gorgeous little notes that I am in no doubt will brighten many a day, and bring smiles to lots of faces.
What quickly started to become apparent is what the writers themselves were getting from writing Happinotes. It echoed how I feel about writing them. The very tangible positive impact on my own mental health, almost meditative effect of writing lovely letters to strangers that is so evidently powerful. So why is that?
5 Ways to Wellbeing
The South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust offer the widest range of mental health services in the UK. They devised the ‘Wheel of Wellbeing’ which suggests 5 ways to improve your mental health. One component is to ‘Give’ - do something nice for a friend or stranger. Writing a letter, with the intent to improve someone else’s wellbeing, is improving yours at the same time.
Creativity
Happinotes are not only about the words, but about the joyful little doodles and decoration around the words. These give such an inviting overall look and feel to the note, that who could resist wanting to read one? Again the benefits of the creative process can be enjoyed by the writer as much as the intended reader. Being playful, overcoming any inner critical voices of “I’m no good at art” and allowing yourself to embrace the creativity will pay off. You find that you can focus your thoughts, expression, joy and almost childlike delight in producing a Happinote.
Emotional Rewards
Writing letters may not feel quite as nice as a face to face chat over a cup of tea, but it is most definitely a more meaningful human connection that is usually completely lost in a text message. As you write, to are quietly but consistently replicating feelings of human interaction and intimacy, even if you’re writing to a stranger. The feelings you get when writing have been described as mindful, calming, peaceful, empathic and a sense of ‘being there for each other’ even those we do not know.
Finally, the actual process of sitting down to write - the paper or note card you use, your choice of pen (the favourite pen!), seeing your handwriting emerge, the words, the space between the words and the colours. All of these elements are absent when the words are on a screen. It is all so tangible and yet so quietly powerful.
So, please keep writing your lovely letters. Keep sharing love and kindness and I hope that you feel the benefits, for yourself, in abundance.
Overcoming barriers to creativity can improve wellbeing.
Happy writing!
Stay safe
Tanya x