THE DO’S & YIKES, STOP THAT RIGHT NOW’S OF LOVE LETTER WRITING
Do.
Get creative with your letter writing. There are limitless possibilities lurking behind the stationery, stickers, calligraphy pens and craft store essentials you can use to script a good love letter.
Yikes. Stop that Right Now.
We are not mushy, gushy letter writers. Please keep all the arrows secured in Cupid’s bow. Please keep all the love sonnets tucked in Juliet’s pocket. They will not come in handy here.
Do.
Tell stories. If you have been there before, write it. Don’t be afraid to let yourself sit on the page. As you pour honesty out through the pen you might be surprised by the liberating feeling that comes from linking up your soul with that of a stranger.
Yikes. Stop that Right Now.
We ask that all letter writers do not include personal contact information in their letters. Though it might be nice to grab a pen pal, we want to keep all our letter writers safe. All love letters come through our PO Box first. We sort them, sift through their content, and mail them under the More Love Letters PO Box address.
Do.
Gather your friends and write love letters together. Seriously, what is better than a night spent laughing and writing love letters with your closest pals, slugging cider while pretending text messages don’t yet exist and email is only a one-day, some-day creation you’ve seen on the Jetsons.
Yikes, Stop that Right Now.
We are not experts. We are not problem solvers. We ask that our letter writers stick to love and encouragement when writing these love letters. Your job is not to offer advice, but to offer support through your words to someone who really needs it. We also understand that some of these love letter requests hit close to home. Do not ever feel like you MUST write a love letter, even if you’ve committed. If you are not comfortable with a topic, you can absolutely opt out.
Do.
Think about writing a guest post for our blog. We would love to have you. We take guest post submissions. Want to write about your letter writing experience? Have a cool love letter story to share? Want to show off where you’ve left love letters lately?
EMAIL ALL CONTENT TO PS@MORELOVELETTERS.COM
Yikes, Stop that Right Now.
Please, no monetary gifts of any kind included in the envelopes. Right now, we are functioning strictly off of bodacious adjectives and slick similes.
I was at Barnes and Nobles looking for a book to help me get through pcs therapy (post concussion syndrome). PCS can cause memory loss, emotional/behavioral changes, depression, etc. ANYWAY, I’ve had a hard time finding myself again since the injury with my emotions flipping suddenly, being frustrated with not being able to remember a few things and so forth. As I pulled out a book, a little pink note folded in half fell out onto the floor. I picked it up and noticed that it read, “You. Yes, you.” Intrigued, I opened it and read inside…”Figuring out who you are is not an endless search. Simply remove the things from your life that you are not; you’ll find yourself underneath the clutter.” It was the perfect words right at the perfect moment, meant just for ME. It was so enlightening and uplifting to think that someone ‘loved’ me enough to take time out of her day and write this note for me. I hope I am able to do the same for others
Amy, This story hit me so hard I could not help but reply. My name is Mandy, and I suffered through the misunderstood condition of PCS for two years before I truly felt like myself again. Paranoia, depression, anxiety, the works. My life changed when I found a book at Barnes & Noble as well, except the message came from its pages. Would love to connect. A letter perhaps? ~Mandy
AHH! I’m so stoked about what you’re doing here! I’ve always loved handwriting letters, playing with the way my hand writing looks, making cards, cheering people up… etc! And you’ve encompassed all of that right here! Thanks for all that you do, sending out my first love letter with in the next day or two, yay! Super excited
Last year, I went around posting sticky-notes around the high school. Telling people that I hope they have a nice day, or that they’ll do great on that test that’s coming up, etc. I went to the lady’s room, to put one or two up in there; I went into one of the stalls, and these two girls walked in. “Have you seen any of the notes someone put up?” “Yeah; aren’t they stupid? They’re like those lame motivational posters, but on a Post-It.” After they laughed, and walked out, I came out of the stall and noticed they’d taken down the ones I’d put on the mirror. I stopped putting them up after that.
Then, after school on the bus, these girls sitting in front of me started talking about them.
“Look at this note I found on my locker!” “I found one of those too!” “What does it say?” “Wow; they’re so nice!”
I felt so happy that they’d thought my notes were nice. I haven’t put any other notes up after that; now, a few other girls are doing it.
Brianna,
Keep doing what you’re doing; don’t let naysayers stop you. You are a bright light in a dark world.
With appreciation,
-N
Please don’t let the negative words of two sad people stop you from doing what you’re doing. You may never know what motivated their negative attitude and you may never know of the positive energy you generated by posting notes around your school. Good things will come from the love you spread because love never fails.
Hey,
I am just wondering what to do. I have written my first love letter. What am I supposed to do now.
Do I need to drop it at someplace so someone may pick it up and read?
Confused,
C,
India
.
Hey,
I am just wondering what to do. I have written my first love letter. What am I supposed to do now.
Do I need to drop it at someplace so someone may pick it up and read or do i need to mail it to you.
Getting started this week not to mention writing a few words about a sweet old lady who have passed on last Saturday, whom i have met only once. Thank you for the dos and don’ts that I may have some ideas to write.
Why is there no men commenting here?
I saw Hannah Brencher at TED talks here the other day
Seems like there is mostly(90% or more???) women who writes or are engaging in love letter writing…
But If someone could give me advice to write a love letter to a girl in class I am in love with but doesnt seem interested in me?- I would be SO thankful
And advice about writing to strangers, I like this love letter Idea
Hi!
There are guys here, and I think more will come. Th word is spreading about morelovelletters.
As for your question concerning writing a letter to a girl you are in love with. If she seems uninterested in you, then I suggest approaching the letter-writing cautiously. I would encourage you to get to know her and for her to know you. Start with simple conversations and find out what she is interested in. Learn as much about those things as you can so that you can talk more about those things with her. Getting to know each other is critical. Build a friendship, one that will last many years. When that is successful, then you can think about love letters. This requires patience and endurance, which is what life is all about.
Love will find you and it will be beautiful. It may be with this girl or with someone else. Love is worth waiting!
Yo! I’m a dude who leaves letters all over the place. I’m so hooked. Just wanted to let you know that there are some guys who participate
I just wrote my first ‘love letter’.
It wasn’t really about love but about chaos theory and ‘the butterfly effect’, essentiailly saying that in an unstable world, one person doing one thing can make a difference and that you could be that one person.
I crafted it with love though.
I think I’ll leave it at the bus stop outside my house.
If you feel like sharing, I’d love to read the the words you wrote about one person making a difference, using the example of chaos theory and ‘the butterfly effect’—perhaps I could craft your words into a message to a nephew of mine . . .
with appreciation -
Teresa
ttownsell@aol.com
I love this idea. I have been handwriting letters for years. I send them out to friends and family often without response. That’s fine though, I do it because I enjoy it and it’s a reminder of my love. I even threw a letter off a bridge once to a boy I couldn’t get over when I was younger. It really helped me heal. Just the freedom in words. For the last few years I have been consistently writing letters to my ailing grandfather. He has now passed away. What a wonderful irony that so quickly a girl friend of mine linked me to your site through instagram. Now I have a new reason for writing. I hope I find someone else’s letter someday. This is a beautiful movement, thanks for it.
Michelle, I have exactly the same situation–I often feel like I’m sending my letters out into a void, but all the same I feel compelled to sit with a pen to paper and take the time to let people know that I care about them enough to put the world on “pause” and write to them. Even when my friends and family don’t respond, I think it’s worth it to send them a tangible, personal note. Keep it up!
When our oldest son was ‘growing up’, I used to write journal entries throughout the year – such as days when I was overjoyed with his accomplishments, and, even days when I was so angry at his behavior that I couldn’t speak – I could still write. I would then give him those journal pages, either at Christmas or on his birthday, just so he would know, whether I told him or not, that I recognized those ups and downs and was there, loving him through them all. Now, we occasionally have a sit-down, twenty-questions (or more) to keep in touch. It’s just not the same though, as those physical reminders of all those special moments…
this wasn’t exactly a love letter but last summer someone clipped a stack of grocery coupons and wrapped them in plastic and put them on my apartment door. I don’t use coupons but I was so excited and thrilled about the coupons!
I find this absolutely wonderful, the most beautiful idea I’ve ever heard of! I’d love to participate! And I’d like to know, do you work outside the US too? :O
Thank you and God bless you!
This is a brilliant idea. I am a high school teacher and will be using this idea with students at my school this year. Hopefully they will be an enchanted and motivated by the idea as I am!
This just shows that the simplest gestures have the most impact. After hearing this beautiful idea, how could you not want to become involved.
I look forward to sending out these letters in my local community here in the UK, but also to all of you out there.
Keep smiling
Well the power of ideas to spread
From a male… in Australia. Just came across Heathers speech on Ted and was captivated with the simplicity and connectedness of the idea of writing love letters to those that need love, not lovers. Words to build strength and resilience to heal the heart that is wounded or lonely. A journey of a thousand letters begins with an A….
Hi! I am so happy to have found this site tonight! I have been having a horrible last 2 days-I left work last night due to a stomach bug/sinus infection.Then my boyfriend, who I hadn’t heard from in almost a week, finally called just to tell me that even though he really likes me & I am a wonderful, sweet, beautiful person that he likes to spend time with,that he doesn’t think he has time for me because of how busy he is with his business.He can’t handle the pressure of both a business & a relationship, even though I understand & don’t put any pressure on him. Seriously?! Anyway, this site made my day-making me smile as I read all of the responses, etc. I love writing letters & think that this is a great idea! I will be looking into doing this as soon as I feel better.Thanks for lifting my spirits in a time when I feel horrible (literally) & sad over losing someone who I thought was the right guy for me. Like one of your letters said, “Keep on keeping on!” & I will!
I’m ready to write and get going now, that I’ve read the LoveLetters mailings a few times. However, it looks like I just missed the deadline for January letters. Should I just hold on to my letters until Feb announcement? Or I could leave some on buses, trains, and stuck in returned library books, and trust the person who is supposed to get one will and it will be exactly right.
My son got angry when I told him I had sent you my daughter’s name and address with a request to write her love letters. I understand why you keep participants from getting names and addresses. Do many people complain about possible security problems in requesting love letters or is it just my untrusting son?
Hannah, I have been struggling for years to come up with the very idea that you have started here. It’s been on the tip of my tongue but I couldn’t verbalize what was in my head. I have been trying to come up with an “encouragment engine”. I am a teacher and for the last year my tag line on my email has been “Say something positive to someone today. Positive words are like life-giving water and some people are thirsting to death.” Congratulations on a phenomenal accomplishment!
Hannah, I came across your story and the resounding ripples of love and support it created in the most recent “Woman’s World” magazine and it truly moved and ignited in me the desire to share words of support and love to those in need. My path in life has been…interesting…a mixture of more downs than up at times but always forward. My desire to help others led me to become a massage therapist as well as volunteering with Hospice and cancer patients, though that is not my 8AM-5PM (sometimes 7AM to 10PM!) job! I truly look forward in doing what I can…as Albert Schweitzer said…
“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.”
Hi, I love to write letters all kinds. I am very much a writer. I have been writing for years. I love to get mail and send it out. I have always felt that I can some how make a diffrence. I want to help anyone in anyway that I can. I have had some very hard times in my life, and over come alot. And I know that within sharing my story that some how it will help other people as well. Writing to someone with encouraging words can make all the diffrence in ones day. I am very happy and glad that I found this website. I hope that I can help someone in need. Thank you so much for this chance to help people.
Christina
May I simply say what a relief to uncover somebody that genuinely knows what they are discussing online.
You definitely know how to bring an issue to
light and make it important. More people really need to check this out
and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular because you surely possess the gift.
I just found a letter last night,wedged inside a parking meter,addressed Hey you!Open me.With a heart.The card inside had a very inspiring message that was perfectly timed,since Boston has just experienced a very painful + sad tragedy following the Boston Marathon.I have been on the verge of tears all week + the inspiring card signed by Zoe, made me smile,brightened my night + gave me hope for all of the other Zoe’s of the world that might be out there making this world a better place. I will keep the Love flowing + put my own love letter to a stranger out for another soul to find + hope my letter has the same affect on whomever opens it. ThAnK yOu ZoE!!!
I found your website by reading the British Cosmopolitan magazine when i was ill/sick in bed this morning, I loved what i read- everything you have done must feel so rewarding & you should feel a sense of pride & admiration for what you have started- its very selfless to take time out of your lives to send a complete stranger a letter filled with hope, inspiration & positivity. I spend most of my days sick in bed because I suffer from long term chronic health conditions both mental & physical – even though Im only 26 years old… I felt worthless & hopeless for so many years because gropwing up I always imagined Id have a career working in medicine with children by now also married, own my own home & car & have a beautiful family/children of my own too. I am married as of last September but I was too ill to finish school or university, too ill to work & also cant have my own children- I recently learned I may still get turned down for adoption too because of my health issues- so as you can imagine I havent fulfilled my dreams or goals & because of this I feel useless, worthless & annoyed at myself/frustrated that I feel down or depressed about it too because I know it could always be worse & I should appreciate what I do have. When I read your story it gave me a sense of hope & made me smile. Its nice to see the world isnt a completely selfish place & that there are still people out there who care about others, who still have old values, manners & kindness. I would love to help others – it would make me feel that little bit useful because theres a small chance or possibility that any one of my letters could reach someone & touch them – that words I write could brighten someones day or give them hope. If everyone in the world was like you & your team of volunteers the world would definitely be a better place & I hope it spreads throughout the world – the good feeling an act of kindness gives you is contagious I know that – if only people would give it a go then we would all be happier & better off for it!
Bless you all & thank you for starting what you have & also for continuing to do it!!