coronavirus

Writing letters to fight social isolation (and COVID-19)

Greetings and wishes for health and wellness to all!

While this is not a post I had anticipated writing, this is what is currently on my mind.

I’m writing about something we can all do right now, an action that does good, on multiple levels, for ourselves and for others. It is a healthy and engaging activity for ALL ages (while we are hunkered down at-home). Additionally, it is an activity that can help recover from the impact of COVID-19 too. Read on to see how.

I am referring to the act of writing a letter to mail to someone. What many refer to as the “lost art” of letter-writing. On the one hand, if we look around us (well, around us online), we may see many of the “lost arts” making a resurgence in this time of social isolation. The lost art of sewing. Of baking bread. Of vegetable gardening. One of the benefits of being asked to slow down is that we can connect with these activities which do lend themselves to mindfulness and reflection.

Your call to action: Write a letter to someone else. Just because.

Benefits of writing a letter, right now:

How is the act of writing a letter good for you and others?

  • Writing letters is a way to stay connected and even build or strengthen relationships with anyone in the world, whether thousands of miles away or around the corner.

  • Writing a letter generates excitement. The excitement of receiving and opening a letter that arrives just for YOU (please wash your hands after).

  • Writing a letter can promote a host of positive emotions. Knowing you are doing something positive for someone else is also a feel-good for you!

  • Writing a letter is an activity for you or anyone else in your home who might be in need of something a little different.

  • A letter can then become keepsake or memento of this period of time.

  • Writing a letter is an opportunity for self-expression and perhaps reflection on the times. Or anything you want to write about.

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How can the act of writing a letter be good for the world at present?

Simply put, when you write a letter on a greeting card that we have created for the Things You Can Do Today campaign, 100% of proceeds will go directly to assist in recovery efforts from Coronavirus. We have created a set of 4 original 5x7 cards and envelopes. The charity we have chosen is 4-CT, Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection to move funds to where they are most needed now to fight this deadly virus.

Why did we create this set of greeting cards?

Because we want to do something to help improve the current state of affairs while also encouraging positivity and connection and tapping into our own creativity.

How can you obtain a set of greeting cards?

We have created a series of daily actions which are designed to inspire and light a spark within you. To purchase, order your set of cards here. While you are waiting for your order to arrive, think about who you’ll write to! And if you are looking for some other reflective activities to do during this time, we invite you to check out these journaling resources and tools to help work through an emerging idea.

What to do once you receive your set of cards?

1) Write letters.

2) Mail them.

3) See what happens after you do. Did you receive a return letter? How was this experience for you? We’d love to hear!

May this endeavor become a rewarding and enjoyable activity that directly does some good for the world!


Best,

Marni Amsellem, Ph.D.

Founder, Write. Reflect. Grow.

Journaling in the Time of Coronavirus

What a time to be alive. You’re living history right now, we all are. Never has there been a time, globally, where we are so connected yet required to be so distanced. 

I’ve been thinking of about what it’s like to be here right now. I’ve been reflecting on many things- the negatives and the positives about the situation. About how isolation and togetherness have intersected where we are sharing experiences though filtered through our own lives and circumstances. About how on a recent walk (the one outing of the day), passers-by were all greeting each other, albeit from a safe distance. I’ve been thinking about the many things I have been intending to record about this time, but have not yet recorded in the midst of the change. One thought I’ve had: despite how so much is slowing down right now, ironically so much feels like it is moving very rapidly. I am feeling like it time to embrace the slow and reflect some. One fan of our journals recently shared her thoughts on this topic (and I love her commentary so much that I am sharing it here).

Prompts for reflection

I decided to write a series of journal prompts about this time and compile them into a post to share with you. I am sharing them both here in this blog post as well as by video, and in this downloadable handout that LiveGirl organization has prepared to share with their community.

I invite you to collect your own observations, insights, or emotions. I encourage you to tap into your wisdom about what it is like to be here now.

I have created a set of prompts for you to reflect on and write about today:

What are three things about this time that you think you will want to remember in the future?

What changes in your world have you observed right now, just in this time since you first became aware of Coronavirus? What have been some of the ways these changes have impacted you the most so far?

What is something that you’re worried about happening? What can you do to help yourself manage this worry?

What are some things that you appreciate about your current situation?

How do you hope things will improve for the better because we will all have gone through this experience?

Write your response to these prompts in your own journal. Save these responses. One day you may be glad you did.

Marni Amsellem, Ph.D.

Founder, Write. Reflect. Grow.