Postcard Power

It's February.  Welcome to the Month of Letters.

I'll be sending a hand-written letter or note each mailing day during February,* and I hope to receive some letters, too.  

One thing I write year-round, though, is postcards  -- sent around the world through Postcrossing.

I first joined Postcrossing in 2015, and immediately fell into its charms.  It's free.  It's simple.  And you can be as active as you'd like be when it comes to writing and sending cards.  (The more you send, the more you receive.)

I had a hard time writing my postcards to the world last year, though, after the election.  I found I just wanted to apologize to everyone I was sending postcards to.  I felt like I needed to explain.  I felt . . . well, kind of embarrassed.  So I took a quite long break from writing any postcards.

This year, though, I've picked it back up.  I'm ready to write my cards again.  No apologies!  No explanations!  Just an opportunity to show the world that we are kind, thoughtful people here in the US -- ready to learn about and from the rest of the world.

(This week I received a very cool postcard from a fellow-knitter in Latvia.)

Here are three of the best things about Postcrossing:

1. The stamps.  I have received the most amazing stamps from all around the world.  Little works of art!
2. The stories.  It's amazing how much you can learn about people in 3 or 4 brief sentences on a postcard.  I've received postcards from all kinds of people of all ages (so far, my youngest postcard-sender was 14; the oldest in their 70s) -- living in countries all over the world.
3. The connection.  The world seems much smaller and much friendlier when you reach out and connect with real people in the world.

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to connect with the world - and serve as an "ambassador" of your country to boot - check out Postcrossing.

Happy letter writing!

==========
*  Remember, if you'd like receive a letter from me this month (and I don't already have your address), please let me know in the comments and I will reply to get your address.  Or you can send me an email directly by linking in the sidebar where it says "Email Me" (just under the "About" link at the top of the sidebar.)

==========

Be sure to stop by Carole's blog today for more Three on Thursday posts.

 

Comments

[Vicki]

Well, that is very cool. "Treasures of Latvia," indeed!!

[Jo]

Your reaction to the election is completely understandable. It’s hard to justify what happened with our politics. But, we can’t give up. Things will turn. OMG, do I sound didactic or what?

[Vera]

Postcrossings looks like a ton of fun. LOVE the postcard you received from Latvia - beautiful!

[Lora]

I’d love to get a letter again this year!

[Carole]

I think it's wonderful that you are back to sending your postcards!

[Leslie]

I've never heard of 'Postcrossings'
I'll have to check it out.
Have Fun!

[Juliann]

I love writing notes and would love to swap with you!

[Mary]

Thank you for the postcard PSA ... I think my mom might enjoy it, too!

[AsKatKnits]

Hmmm, Postcrossing is intriguing. And, I love that sock postcard! Here is to a happy handwritten February!

[margene]

I LOVE Postcrossing (as you know) and I find people want to know what I think about politics (or if I'm Mormon) and we have great conversations (on-line). I have so many beautiful and amazing postcards. It's true you can learn so much about a person from a few lines. I've ended up with a few penpals, too!

[Debbie]

I joined Postcrossing three years ago and I just love the connection with people all around the world...if only our governments would just stop all the nonsense, there is hope we would all get along just fine. I also enjoy old fashioned letter writing, in fact I regularly exchange handwritten letters with my niece who is away at college!

[Honore]

Postcrossing is new to me..thanks for the connection. Love the idea of sending postcards...stay tuned.
Cheers~