Farewell Letter from Elizabeth, 2022 Executive Director

TLP Executive Director (2022 & 2023)
TLP Board Member

It has been my great honor to serve as the Executive Director of The Letter Project. As a mom to young daughters, I found this organization years ago while searching for ways to remind my daughters of the greater good in the world. I wanted to teach them that it is OK to ask for help and that there is more good in the world than bad.

While serving as the Executive Director, I was reminded of these lessons and so much more. Reading the letters written by all of you brought me great optimism. Last year, more than 9,000 handwritten letters were sent to women and girls; each envelope contained a unique story. You wrote of heartbreaks, and sadness, and shared details about difficult life experiences.

You would think that letters written on topics causing so much pain would be sad but they were the exact opposite. I found that every letter sent through The Letter Project ended with the same message- an offering of hope and a reminder that none of us are living this life alone. The most heart breaking requests were answered first with letters containing the most vital words of encouragement.

Thank you for letting me share this experience with all of you. I am excited about The Letter Project’s future and look forward to joining the Board of Directors.

—
Warmly,
Elizabeth Kumbhari

The Bond With a Student

By: Stephanie Hartline
TLP Letter Writer

I’ve experienced the joy of wearing many hats through my life: wife, mom, student, writer, gardener, fitness instructor, and one that I’ve worn the longest: teacher. My profession as a high school English teacher has become such an integral part of my persona that I sometimes feel that I want to wear a sign in the summer that says, ”I’m a teacher” just so people know that I really do work hard—I’m just taking a short break for a while.

Unnecessarily, people apologize for their speech or writing when they know they are talking with an English teacher. “My spelling isn’t that good” or “I don’t really like to read” are confessions I’ve received. What they don’t know is that teaching language arts through the years has become so much more than analyzing characters or putting commas in the correct places in a sentence. As a language teacher, I am gifted with reading about my students’ life experiences and innermost thoughts. I’m often overwhelmed to be the person in whom they place their trust to share the highs and lows of their lives.

Some students, of course, have stood out to me through the years for various reasons. Three young women have secured a bond with me even after high school and college—and even into their adult lives.

Kate was the first to reach out to me at a high school dance as I was the chaperone. It was my first year in the building, and she knew I was a little hesitant. She pulled me onto the dance floor, and it was all uphill from that point on. It sounds like a plot of a love story; no, but it was the start of a mutual love and concern for each other. I saw Kate though some tough times at college, and some rough dates post-graduation! I was present at her wedding, and one of the first to know about each of her pregnancies.

I just saw another student friend, Katie, last week. She is now a school guidance counselor and we were talking about the stress of COVID-19 on her students. She said she wanted to give them a safe place to talk “like you were for me, Steph.” The idea that some encounters that I provided for someone years ago was now being used as a role model to help young students fills me with great pride. Katie brings her three boys to my pool for a yearly swim and catch-up. (Side note---they play with my son’s old dinosaurs and sharks!)  They joy comes not just in seeing these little guys as they develop and grow, but sharing time with my friend.

I see Kelly most frequently. We share a love for books, travel, and education. You see, Kelly is now a high school teacher herself! We compare notes, and I welcome her insights and borrowed lesson plans. We can talk for hours without taking many breaths…and I know she considers me one of her good friends.

The best part of these friendships—and I think a pretty impressive one-- is that all three of these young women do not see the 25 year age gap as a barrier to our friendship. They always ask about my kids and their relationships and jobs. The reach out when they know I need support. I treasure these young women—I tell them that often.

As I approach another school year I look forward to meeting a new group of young, anxious, eager faces. Ninth graders are so scared, but I always aim to ease their fears and anxiety. Little do they know that they have adults in their lives who will not only teach them math skills, map skills, sentence structure and a new language, but who may provide safety and perhaps a lifelong friendship.

Not an Introvert

By: Kaniz Sumiya
TLP Letter Writer

Not an Introvert

For a long time, I thought I was introverted, that I just kept to myself because I didn’t want to bother speaking. Really, that was what I told myself, a means of consolation. The truth was that I shook at the mere thought of making friends, speaking to people, and having to maintain eye contact with someone. In fact, one of the most awful parts of high school was an activity in which our teacher forced us to shout as loud as we could, an activity to release our tension. I was able to shout, but my insecurities had straight-up attacked me, and what should’ve been a lion’s roar was the sound of a squeak.

That moment was all in one mortifying and beyond embarrassing, yet somewhere along the line, I never realized that I wasn’t just reserved but I was afraid.

I was even afraid of how my shout would sound that day.

I was afraid every single day of my life, afraid that I wasn’t good enough, not confident enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough.

I was not an introvert, I was anxious and terrified.

Eventually, I grew sick of my entrapment. Rather than one moment of realization and a flood of emotions, it had all built up over time until it just struck me. I stared at my cracked ceiling every night and I wondered about every single time I was ignored and pushed over. Most importantly, I thought about how I cared whether someone liked me or not all the time- but did I ask myself whether I liked them?

Unfortunately, this change wasn’t immediate, then again, change never is. It started with merely taking the time to get used to hearing how my ideas translate into words and mentally reciting and rephrasing the same sentence 100 times before I even let the words leave my mouth. When I did begin to use my voice, whether at get-togethers or gatherings, people looked at me in bewilderment.

Like I imagined, not everyone was happy with my change. To name a few, my aunts disliked my interjections when they spoke about appearances. My boisterous classmates hated the idea of not being able to speak over me. Even some of the people, who I thought were my friends, got angry when they saw I wouldn’t oblige to their every request.

In a way, this made me come to a bigger realization, that this fear had stemmed from a long line of judgment I had known existed and fostered in people’s minds. The only difference now was I started to ignore it. I was so sick of wishing and dreaming to the point where I knew I couldn’t see change if I didn’t commit to it myself.

This large transition was not easy- I lost many, and in a way, I lost part of my old self as soon the word “no '' was added to my dictionary. But I was okay with it.

Thinking back, this transition could have been so much easier, if only I had someone to tell me that I could rely on them and that my voice mattered. That’s why, I’m here to tell you that you do matter, and that life is too short to be living as someone else. Some words of wisdom: “Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.”

TLP Empowers Girls With Snail Mail (x PunkPost)

By: Brenna Malmberg, PunkPost
Article about The Letter Project

The Letter Project Empowers Girls With Snail Mail (x PunkPost)

“When we stumbled upon The Letter Project, we immediately had to learn more. It’s a nonprofit that empowers women of all ages through the power of snail mail. That concept is so rad, so we caught up with the organization’s Executive Director Paige Thompson to learn more and let you know how you could get involved.” (MORE HERE)

Why Is The Letter Project Great for Snail Mail Lovers?

It's a great way for women who love to write to write more. We provide our volunteers with background information on who they are writing to so you can learn a bit about what's going on in her life, the region she's from, etc. Our writers get to choose who they write to and how often to sign up. I like that writers often choose the recipients they feel most connected to - something in her story resonates with them and the letters that abound from this method are so powerful.

Read more here and watch a live interview with PunkPost and TLP here.

[Writer Experience] Send With Love

By: Mahiya Agarwal
TLP Letter Writer

The Letter Project = Send With Love

The purpose of The Letter Project, of sending letters to girls around the world, is to send with love. And that is exactly what it does.

Amidst the pandemic, I was looking for a virtual opportunity to volunteer for a good cause. This is how I came across The Letter Project. I had never heard of such a cause and found it inspiring, which is why I wanted to contribute to such an empowering organization.

I began writing letters for girls all around the world, just as the other letter writers do. The Letter Project helped me help women around the world who were struggling or going through a tough time, which was such a rewarding feeling.

 While writing to these girls, it made me think about how healing and inspiring this is for the women and girls who receive these letters. I thought about how I would feel so supported and loved if I were to receive these letters, which showed me how much of a difference this cause makes to so many girls.

These letters come from a place of understanding. They are sent with love.

 We might all be situated in different parts of the world, but we come together in our identity as women and girls. We all help one another in going through difficult times in our lives. We send our letters with love. 

This cause has taught me so much.

It has taught me that it is okay to struggle sometimes.

It has taught me that I am not alone.

It has taught me that treating people with kindness can make a large impact.

It has taught me that little things go a long way.

It has taught me that women are strong, beautiful, and kind, no matter their treatment or perception in society.

 These lessons have empowered me in my own life and have allowed me to send letters with love.

The Letter Project should therefore be supported because of its amazing contribution to women all around the world. It empowers women and supports them through their times in need, which is a priceless gift. Sometimes people need to be reminded of their worth and their beauty, which is something that The Letter Project allows letter writers to do. It has been so impactful to so many women and girls around the world, for letter writers and recipients alike.

There are many ways that you can support The Letter Project and I urge you to consider them all.

Become A Letter Writer - this is an extremely rewarding experience that will teach you how invaluable it is to be kind to others. You will be given the opportunity to touch the hearts and minds of women and girls around the world. Use your experiences to handwrite a letter to a lucky girl or woman and remember to send it with love!

 Donate - this is an extremely impactful way to contribute to The Letter Project without writing a letter. The Letter Project is a nonprofit, so donations will allow the organization to financially support the staff and administration that work so hard to uphold this amazing cause and organization.

Spread The Word - spreading the word about The Letter Project is another great way to support the organization. Tell your family, friends, peers, and anyone who will listen about The Letter Project and its cause. Attracting more attention to the organization will bring more support and help The Letter Project reach more women and girls, which is the ultimate goal.

I hope you will consider offering your support to The Letter Project and help keep the cause of uplifting and supporting women and girls around the world alive. I love The Letter Project and I know you will too!

This was created and sent with love.

[Writer Experience] Connection for the disconnected

By: Jaclyn Weber-Hiil
TLP Letter Writer

Connection for the disconnected

The year of 2020 was a challenge for me. I was dealing with the “new normal” of a pandemic but I was also forced to confront my lowest point of mental health head-on. I began talk therapy in August 2020 and am still actively going. In therapy, I talk a lot about myself, but my first therapist decided to send me on the journey of talking to others. My anxiety was very severe at that point in my treatment and I needed to be taken out of my own head and find the connection that I was missing so much in a world where social distancing was a safety measure. To fulfill the missing connection, he wanted me to write letters to other people also in need of connection or encouragement. I went to Google and started looking for the right fit of letter writing and how I could embark on a safe and emotionally fulfilling journey, which is how I found The Letter Project. I signed up to become a letter writer and began to read through the requests for bundles from the women and girls on behalf of themselves or the family and friends on the behalf of their loved ones. After reading through the requests and writing my first initial letter, I was hooked.

I loved the idea of sending encouragement out into the world to others who needed it, just like I did and still do sometimes. I loved reading the brave stories of people who solicited help for themselves, but I am also touched by those who solicit help for the loved ones who may not always see themselves as worthy of needed encouragement. I was eventually able to request a bundle for myself, in hopes to have my very own little piece of this beautifully baked pie that this organization had created.

I didn’t really understand the impact of the bundle until over 20 plus letters from all over the world began to filter into my mailbox.

Hand-written, decorated, and beautifully written words of encouragement began to pile up and I was in awe. Let’s face it, 2020 was a challenging year for humanity globally, so the idea that so many people read my story and chose to take time out of their days to lift me up was life-changing. The bundle of letters made me feel seen, loved, and like I had a cheering section from all over the four corners of this beautiful planet.

I wanted to pay it forward in some way and offer a connection of hope, the same connection served to me in a time where I believed in so little of hope myself.

The letters offered me a chance to give myself a break from worry and stress. A chance to sit still and read over and over the importance of small but impactful gestures. Every week became my moment to pause and pray that I would deliver the same feeling to girls and women around the world. I wrote for every letter that I received and then some. A cathartic process that allowed me to realize what I had in me was not just a gift to others, but myself as well.

As I took the time from my day with a message of hope and encouragement via stamps and handwritten letters, I felt an unspoken network grow. We all need little reminders once in a while that we can achieve anything we set our minds to, no matter how big or small. It was to a point that every letter I wrote I felt a piece of myself become stronger knowing that I could make the same impact I had been blessed with. It has been a full circle process and so unexpected, just as the past year has become.

As we begin to transition back to our normal “before” lives, I gained a lasting effect to reach out and not only find the sunshine in the clouds for myself but also provide it to others who are on the same journey I am and may not even know it.

[Writer Experience] Being a Writer

By Carmen Vazquez Garcia  
TLP Letter Writer

My experience writing for The Letter Project (in English)

Some time ago I was looking for the opportunity to belong as a volunteer writing letters of support and I found The Letter Project. I loved the mission and what it stands for and did not hesitate to register immediately as soon as I was accepted as a letter writer.

I started writing letters and soon discovered that when you write to help others, you heal yourself too.

It is a process where you discover that others have also gone through similar situations in life.

It is a rewarding experience because you can also create a group in your community to write letters and thus, we all support each other.

You may be thinking that it is difficult to write a letter of support, but you do not have to write long letters. Just use your skills and creativity! You can write a poem, a story, talk about a situation that you have overcome, a phrase of encouragement, cards, song, drawing, and/or painting.

The Letter Project needs people of goodwill who help change lives in a positive way, and most importantly, make women, girls, and adolescents feel that they are not alone — that they have the support of women throughout the world who remind them how valuable they are. Together, we need to be part of change [in society] because there is a lot of violence against women and things in society that denigrates the dignity of being a woman.

Letters have the power to transform lives through postal mail which is the traditional and more exciting way to receive something! What an unexpected and welcome surprise the contents of a letter will bring you.

My advice when you are going to write a letter for The Letter Project is:

• Read carefully about the situation that the young woman has. Use your creativity to send her a message according to her situation giving her encouragement.

• I always look for a way to transmit joy and enthusiasm despite the situation, always with due respect for the circumstance. I close my letters with a phrase of meditation and inspiration.

• I like to accompany the letters with a personalized handmade card, just as the letters must be handwritten so that each has a unique and original meaning.

• You can also organize a The Letter Project Write Night, even with Covid 19 protocols and restrictions. You can wear a mask and social distance or do a virtual event!

Mi experiencia al escribir

The Letter Project

Hace algún tiempo buscaba la oportunidad de pertenecer como voluntaria escribiendo cartas de apoyo y encontré The Letter Project me encantó dicho proyecto y no dude en registrarme de inmediato tan pronto recibí la respuesta comencé a escribir cartas y descubrí que cuando escribes para ayudar a otros te sanas a ti misma porque, es un proceso donde descubres que también otras han pasado por las mismas situaciones alguna vez en la vida, resulta una experiencia gratificante porque también puedes crear un grupo en tu comunidad para escribir cartas y asi todas nos apoyamos mutuamente. Quizás estés pensando que es difícil escribir una carta de apoyo no tienes que escribir largas cartas simplemente descubre tus habilidades y creatividad, puedes escribir un poema, cuento, situación que hayas superado, una frase de ánimo, tarjetas, canción, dibujo, pintura. The Letter Project necesita personas de buena voluntad que ayuden a cambiar vidas de forma positiva, y lo mas importante hacerles sentir a las mujeres, niñas, o adolescente, que no están solas que cuentan con el apoyo de mujeres a través del mundo que les recuerdan lo valiosa que son, necesitamos ser parte del cambio porque existe mucha violencia contra la mujer, maltrato y abuso, pornografia canciones con doble sentido, y palabras insultantes que denigran la dignidad de ser mujer. Las cartas tienen el poder de transformar vidas a través del correo postal que es la forma tradicional y más emocionante como cuando esperas con ansias que llegue el cartero porque esperas una carta y no sabes qué, dirá qué sorpresa, te traerá. Mis consejos para cuando vayas a escribir una carta de apoyo es el siguiente lee con detenimiento el contenido de la situación que tenga la joven, usa tu creatividad y mandale un mensaje acorde con su situación dándole ánimo, en mi caso siempre busco la forma de transmitir alegría y entusiasmo pese a la situación, siempre desde el debido respeto y finalizó con alguna frase de meditación, e inspiración a mi me gusta acompañar las cartas con una tarjeta personalizada hecha a mano, al igual las cartas deben ser escritas a mano. Para que tengan un sentido único y original. también puedes organizar una noche de escritura puedes organizar tu grupo registrándote en la página The Letter Project  y cómo planeas que será esta noche cuantas serán tus invitadas tomar fotos del evento y a escribir. En nuestra vida cotidiana siempre existe un motivo para reunirse y organizar algún evento se que por el Covid 19 todo ha estado restringido pero siguiendo los protocolos de seguridad podemos realizar ciertas actividades al aire libre usando la mascarilla y el distanciamiento.

Contribute to the Blog!

We intend to curate this space to allow readers to feel the same empowerment and connection our recipients feel the moment they open a bundle of letters.

Details

We publish new content every Tuesday. Content may be published on the blog as well as shared in an email newsletter and/or on social media. The Letter Project Blog is for girls and women who seek to inspire and support others in achieving their highest potential in relationships, business, life, and/or faith. This submission space is a safe and inclusive creative hub. We aim to showcase content geared to empower the everyday woman including:

• Writing and art that inspires women and girls to their highest potential and destiny (to live confident, successful, authentic, and whole lives).

• First-person or self-discovery articles about dramatic, pivotal moments in a woman’s business, life, health, faith, financial management, or independence.

As a non-profit with a small budget, we are not able to pay you for your submissions (though we truly wish we could). What we are able to do is appreciate your work and share it with our 10,000 followers. More than anything, we want you to know we value you, your story, and your voice.

Written Work Submissions and Formatting

• There is no required word count but consider the medium of blog/newsletter when submitting.

• Please include a title for your submission.

• To submit, e-mail content to holly@toloveourselves.com and include "TLP Blog Submission” in your title. Include your first and last name in the body of your message. You can request to be listed anonymously should you prefer. If it is your first time submitting, please include a photograph and short biography to be featured on our site.

• If necessary, we will work with you via e-mail to edit and proof your submission prior to publication.

• Submissions should be sent as an attachment as a Word document.

Visual Art Submissions: 

Visual art submissions can be anything in any medium (photography, artwork, graphic design, etc). As an example, we’d love to see pictures of the beautiful letters you write!

• Attach images as a jpeg doc. You can attach up to 5 images in your submission. The visual art must be original work. If inspired by someone else, we’d love to hear about the process! 

• Include a short (1 sentence) caption of each image and any social media links you’d like tagged.

• To submit, e-mail content to holly@toloveourselves.com and include "TLP Blog Submission” in your title. Include your first name, last name, and a contact e-mail address in the body of your message. You can request to be listed anonymously should you prefer.

We want to hear what you have to say.

Send anything that you think would speak to other women.

Imperfectly Perfect

Written By: Emily Winter, The Letter Project Board Member

“… But I also worry about people who cruise through life, friction-free, for a long, long time before encountering their first real failure. They have so little practice falling and getting up again… I see a lot of invisibly vulnerable high-achievers stumble in young adulthood and struggle to get up again. I call them the “fragile perfects…” …these bright and wonderful people know how to succeed but not how to fail.”

– Grit, by Angela Duckworth

The frightening imperfect paragraph: Lately, I have been in a funk, or more like a roller-coaster funk. I ride up, eyes filled with hope, only to feel the energy exhale out of me on the way back down. In fact, I haven’t felt like writing at all. Sometimes I don’t feel creative enough or stupid for thinking I can write. But even when I don’t feel like writing, I know how important words on paper are to me. There are a variety of reasons why I have been feeling this way, but this post is not supposed to be a personal diary entry. There. I said it.

Now let’s talk about the destruction of perfectionism or rather how joy and possibility are wrapped in what is imperfect.

Perfectionism is not something that is given to you but rather internally driven by a whole host of fun environmental and psychological factors. Some include the fear of disapproval from others, inadequacy, correlations with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and general anxiety, rigid parental expectations, and excessive praise for achievements. As a kid, it is difficult to put a name to your tendencies, and maybe it is unnecessary as we develop so that we can just be instead of self-diagnosing and stuffing ourselves in little labeled boxes too early in life.

So, what sparked this idea of perfectionism? For me, it is something I have experienced through my personal history but recently, a broken TV stand. I purchased a new TV stand. Before making the purchase, I did my research, just like any good over analytical perfectionist would. I browsed online, created special folders on my desktop, visited several shops (double trips to some), to eventually settle on having one shipped to me. Two weeks passed, and my oversized box arrived. I opened my oversized box only to find that the leg on the stand was snapped. Oh no… a snapped leg was not part of the plan. A snapped leg does not fit into my schedule. A snapped leg looks bad, let alone is NOT functional! A snapped leg… is ruining my life. You see because now I have a snapped TV leg and anxiety. The TV stand leg could not be snapped because that meant my “getting organized” timeline was pushed back. That meant more browsing. That meant in some way I was falling behind…

I had become a fragile perfect.

I understand that a broken TV leg might sound like some “privileged nonsense,” but the point is not that that disliking a broken TV stand makes you a perfectionist. The point is that perfectionism is less about the broken TV stand and more about our perception of ourselves. To be upset about something that silly and let it bleed into corners of life, reveal a slot machine of underlying emotions; (pull)… insecurity… (pull)… I am not good enough… (pull)… good things don’t happen to me… (pull)… I can’t afford or deserve nice things… (pull)… I’ll never achieve the things I want to achieve… 

You see perfectionism has been flowing through my bloodstream, likely since birth. On the Enneagram test I scored a whopping 98% as a “Type 1 Reformer” and 93% as a “Type 4 Individualist” - summed up as a “creative perfectionist.” On paper, this makes me feel like a walking paradox but in spiritual terms, it would make sense. Every human being, regardless of dominant personality traits are a piece of art and perfect art is imperfect.  

Truth be told, I once wore my perfectionism as a badge of honor, that I was somehow more prepared than the next person, saw details others could not see or to present to the world that damnit, I had it together, ALL of the time. But who’s fault is that - if anyone’s? Isn’t this how we are scored, tested, challenged through school until working for large companies or owning our own? Don’t we all have certain people or family members who passively reveal when we are most valuable in their eyes? Doesn’t social media train us “you must BE someone in this world” not just you but someone others look at and want to be.

Now, I see my perfectionism through a kaleidoscope lens. The pretty picture is there, and I can see it, but it is limited by different shapes and angles. When you turn a kaleidoscope, the image sits but the colors and frames keep changing or slightly tilt. You can never see the whole picture without some impairment or shadow. But that is what makes it so fascinating and beautiful once you sit and stare at it long enough. Perfectionism is like this. You see the whole picture, but it is unattainable. You are constantly chasing a perfect idea that cannot be captured without some distraction, detour, pause or mishap.

Now, as a seasoned perfectionist, I have experienced real heartbreaks, failures, and setbacks that sting far more than a broken leg on a TV stand. And although I can now appreciate the subtle gifts perfectionism can provide like having the drive and self-awareness to improve or to have the self-discipline to complete what I start… my new goal is to pride myself on the things that I let go of. The time that I learned how to stitch up a hole in the armpit of a shirt instead of buying a crisp new one. The time I spelled “thoroughly” wrong in a final draft for work. The time I couldn’t keep a succulent alive (one of the easiest plants to care for). The time our friendship ended. The time we moved a part and to different cities. The time burnout caused physical stress symptoms.  The time I used 1 tsp of paprika instead of a ½… and it still tasted great.

Imperfections breed happiness. Imperfection frees us from personal burdens. It gives us the flexibility to live a little lighter. Perfectionism keeps us closed off. It keeps us obeying made up rules and personal ideas. It leads to procrastination and paralysis. It keeps us limited. Perfectionism tricks us into thinking that the safe choice is the right choice when we need the courage to take the adventure.

I have heard the term “recovering perfectionist” and I like this term because deciding to “let go” more often cannot be a decision you make once. It is an ongoing experiment. It requires daily attention to the body, to energy, to relationships, and to objectives. For me right now, keeping tangible imperfect items around are good reminders. Hence, my now beautiful TV stand!

So… what happened with the broken TV stand? Well, it was fixed, and it has its blemishes. But it was fixed by my dad, which makes it that much more special than had it arrived in perfect condition. In fact, I like its “imperfect” so much that I decided not to install its doors, leaving more room for book clutter and décor (the clean kind of clutter, of course). And now, I no longer see it as a useless, fragile piece of furniture but as a memory with a strong, sturdy smile.

So go out there and find your imperfect, because it might just become your new favorite thing.

TLP | Amazon Smile

We are all too familiar with Amazon’s impressive ability to turn up the corners of our lips. Between the great deals, endless merchandise, and ease of purchasing, it is the online gift that keeps on giving. 

And it doesn’t stop there. 

Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com) is the same beloved Amazon site you know and love but works to use a percentage of your purchase to give back to a charity or nonprofit of your choosing, including The Letter Project. They'll donate to your favorite charitable organization, at no cost to you.

It’s Simple. 

1. Visit Smile.Amazon.com and log in to your standard Amazon account. If you do not yet have an Amazon account, you can create a new one through the site, free of charge. 

2. Once signed in, you can pick one of the millions of nonprofits and charities to support with your purchases. You can choose The Letter Project by using the search tool and clicking on The Letter Project Inc, based in Atlanta, GA.

3. Start shopping! In order for your purchases to contribute to your charity of choice, you have to continue shopping on Smile.Amazon.com. Accidentally forget to log in on AmazonSmile and have a whole cart on the traditional Amazon site? No worries, just log in to AmazonSmile and all of your bookmarks, cart items, and account information will carry over. (Seriously, it’s that easy). 

By using Amazon Smile and selecting The Letter Project as your charity of choice, you can continue to support TLP’s mission and encourage women across the globe from the comfort of your home. Put your next package towards someone’s next letter.

Click here to learn more about AmazonSmile.

Sharing The Letter Project, by Paige Thompson

It’s an absolute honor to get to be the Executive Director of The Letter Project. Part of my work includes sharing the great things our volunteer writers do by lifting up girls and women going through hard times. Recently, I was featured as “Someone You Should Know” by Dakota News Now and had the immense honor of sharing the good news about our work here at The Letter Project. Check out the interview here.

We want to continue to meet those struggling and growing is vital to that goal. If you have an idea for a media interview or public relations initiative, please email me.

Self-Love

Written By: Emily Winter, The Letter Project Board Member

 Love is not a frenzied, desperate act.

It is not a thing that bestows worth upon a person.

The worth must come first, mined mostly on one's own.

-Places I Stopped on the Way Home: A Memoir of Chaos and Grace

March is Women’s History month, which calls for some self-love.

Showing up for yourself enables you to show up for others. As Dr. Nicole LePera puts it, “To experience authentic relationships you need to work on being one with your own authenticity.”

Let us use March as a time to not merely accept the differences we see between women but appreciate and honor our differences.

Let us use March as a time to set respectful boundaries when we do not relate or disagree.

Let us use March as a time to recognize women not only for their accomplishments but for just being women. 

Shifting our focus to questions and curiosity about ourselves will ultimately help us connect with each other.

So, use March to acknowledge how far you have come and to continually love and get to know yourself!

Show up for you [click on the colored text]:

v  Express yourself by doing something physical like improv, painting, pottery, writing, etc.

v  Get to know yourself by journaling with this motivational journal or wellness journal.

v  Take an awe-walk.

 v  Read The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown.

v  Join a flower subscription for a year here or here.  

v  Read Sharp: The Women Who Made an Art of Having an Opinion.

v  I loved working on this She Persisted puzzle.

v  Read The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd and contemplate a modern woman’s mind placed during the first century.

Women in History [click on the colored text]:

·       Henrietta Lacks, Hedy Lamarr, Patsy Mink, Faith Spotted Eagle, Gladys Bentley

 ·       Women Scientists Written Out of History

 ·       13 Women You Probably Haven’t Heard of...

 ·       17 Women You Likely Haven’t Heard Of

 ·       And a few more...

To My Founding Sisters

Written By: Alexandria Isais, TLP Social Media Intern

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It was never my intention to join a women’s fraternity.  I had only gone to the informal recruitment event in attempts to silence my mom’s ongoing “you should join a sorority!” calls. I never expected to be invited back to the house for dinner, let alone given a bid to the chapter. 

Before I knew it, I had a handful of t-shirts, 100 new Facebook friends, and a book of material to study. I had three weeks until the big exam that would determine my membership in Alpha Gamma Delta. Three weeks to memorize the founders, the lengthy purpose, and every other fun fact and tidbit about this sisterhood that I had only unofficially and unintentionally joined a few hours prior. 

Sisters offered to share their flashcards and studying tips, sharing their pneumonic devices for our founders. With each flashcard, fun fact, and word game, I grew angry at having to learn the names and faces of women from 1904. I dismissed their knowledge or contributions to society on the sole basis that they weren’t alive anymore; that their influence hadn’t impacted chapters and generations of women. 

But that is far from the truth. The history of these women -- their values, accomplishments, teachings, and rituals-- allowed me to learn, grow, discover and achieve more not only as a sister, but as a woman. 

• Emily Helen Butterfield taught me to keep building, and that just because it hasn’t been done before, doesn’t mean it never will. 

• Flora Knight Mayer taught me that you do not have to have permission or a dedicated role to make a mark and leave a legacy; people will remember your passions and your voice. 

• Ethel Evenlyn Brown Distin taught me that teaching opportunities can present themselves at any moment, whether in a classroom, or a chapter house. 

• Georgia Alberta Dickover taught me the importance and weight of having strong values and morals. 

• Estelle Shepard Biswick taught me that you can solve any problem with a little laughter, kindness, and dedication. 

• Edith MacConnell Hickock taught me that you can be an instrument for triumph even in your moments of despair.

• Georgia Otis Chipman taught me the importance of knowledge, and just how mighty a pen can be. 

TLP Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday, we hosted our first-ever virtual Friendsgiving “Gals of Gratitude” event and we were blown away by the encouragement, vulnerability, and uplifting nature of each woman who gathered to join us! By demand, we’re bringing the Gals of Gratitude challenge workbook to you and invite you to share your experience with us on social media by tagging @toloveourselves on Instagram & using #TheLetterProject #TLPxGratitude.

Access the Gals of Gratitude Challenge Workbook.

As always, adopt this practice and challenge in a way that best fits you, your lifestyle, and your individual needs. Swap bible verses for mantras or quotes, write a thank you letter to yourself or to nurses/doctors in your community. This is about you. Our work at The Letter Project is about empowering all women as they experience different hardships, challenges, and tribulations through life — and that includes you. Thank YOU for showing up for yourself today and for your intention to live more graciously!

Getting in the Friendsgiving Spirit (COVID-19 Edition)

Our hearts are heavy - like many of you - at navigating the upcoming holiday season amidst the uncertainty of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With coronavirus numbers on the rise globally, your family may be preparing for a different kind of Thanksgiving this year - one that does not include a trip to grandma’s house, visiting extended family and friends, or hosting potluck events.

No matter the distance, Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and connection. At The Letter Project, we support women who are navigating life transitions, difficult times, challenges, and hardship. 2020 has been a year, a year we won’t soon forget. With the trials and tribulations that 2020 has brought each of us, it’s become more important to focus on the positives and to shed gratitude as often as possible.

Our community is coming together virtually on November 22 for Gals of Gratitude, The Letter Project’s version of Friendsgiving!

We see in each letter that goes out to women in our community the desire to connect and to empower each other through the hardships - the Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving spirit lives on, even when in-person gatherings are halted or limited.

Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite ways to get into the Friendsgiving spirit and welcome your ideas in the comments of how you’re sharing the love this holiday season:

1. Give Thanks!

   Admittedly, this can be a challenge…and that’s why it’s #1 on our list. When life is spiraling and it feels like a less-fun version of Groundhog Day, being intentional in noticing positive moments and expressing gratitude for small and big things in your day can transform your emotional outlook. We recommend a morning practice that includes listing a few (anywhere from 2-10) things that you are grateful for that day/the previous day, and we encourage you to get granular and to shine a light on the small moments.

   My list today was: blueberry sugar salt for my coffee that created a FIRE new coffee combo, fresh apples from the farm, winning a random Instagram giveaway, an unexpected letter in the mail from a mentor, and finishing this blog post! The more specific to the day you can get, the better. Some recommend doing a gratitude practice in the morning and at night before you go to bed — we’ll dive deeper into the importance of gratitude at our Gals of Gratitude event next week.
   

2. Spend time in the kitchen!

   My favorite part of Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving dinner….and the assortment of pies (pecan is my favorite!). What I will miss most about the typical, traditional Thanksgiving meal that my family has is pierogis, a Polish family tradition, and the bomb mashed potatoes my aunt usually makes. Spending time in the kitchen can be a great stress reliever, but it can also make this holiday season feel more “normal.” Highly recommend making a dish for you, your roommates and/or immediate family members and making a new tradition for Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving.

   A project I have worked on since the start of COVID-19, The Common Ingredient, features community-sourced recipes from Missourians and supports the work of 3 local nonprofits alleviating food insecurity for families during this time. I invite you to try a recipe or to submit a treasured family recipe of your own for others to try this Thanksgiving!
   

3. Host a virtual event and spread kindness.

   The spirit of Thanksgiving for my family has always been coming together and truly being together. It’s often the first break of a busy semester, the first time the weather truly feels like fall/winter depending on where you are in the US and is the first time in awhile for extended family to reconnect.

   You can still celebrate with your family and friends via Zoom, Skype, or Facebook. Your virtual Thanksgiving dinner can include games, virtual trivia, toasting with cocktails or mocktails, and sharing the highlights of 2020. It doesn’t have to be elaborate — although, there are many articles and Pinterest pins to draw inspiration from if that is more your style — and can incorporate your family traditions.
   

4. Say “I appreciate you” to essential workers.

   This is a difficult time for ALL of us and we can all use more appreciation, kindness, and respect as we navigate the additional challenges brought on by COVID-19. When you see a grocery store worker taking extra precautions or wiping down the cart before you use it, say “I appreciate you…” and make a sincere compliment acknowledging the extra work that they are doing, in this case for your safety. Essential workers are being pushed and pulled in multiple directions, often with little recognition, appreciation, or acknowledgment. Take the 10-15 seconds to do the uncomfortable and genuinely thank them for what they’re doing. Or consider sending a handwritten thank you to your local grocery store, clinic, and hospital. It goes a long way!
   

5. Support others at this time.

   One of the easiest ways to support others in this time is writing letters to women experiencing hardship through The Letter Project. It’s easy, you can do it by yourself or socially distanced with others, and it makes a significant impact on the life of young women. COVID-19 has only increased the number of letter requests we receive and is super isolating for many of us. Grab a pen, a piece of paper, and dedicate just a few minutes to support one gal.

   We also recommend visiting Connecticut Children’s For Happier Holidays in Quarantine, Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving for family-friendly ideas to build resiliency in this tough time. Our favorites: gratitude journaling and finding ways to give back!

   ** Before scheduling any events this holiday season, please be sure to visit the CDC for up-to-date guidelines.

What Do You Stand For?

Written By: Lavanya Menon

When I was in 7th grade, I went for a summer camp at our school. I don’t remember much from it, but I do remember about one day. That day we were supposed to sit in a class when a substitute teacher came to us. I remember thinking we were going to do some fun activity or drawing or crafting, but instead we all just sat there for a while. Then the teacher got up from his chair and asked us one question; “What do you stand for”. The first thought that came to my mind was ‘what does that even mean?’, but then again. I was a child. That day I went home and the question kept me up all night because I didn’t know the answer to it. I asked my mom, but she didn’t know either and eventually I forgot about it.

A few days ago, I saw this very same question on a post on my feed and it got me wondering again. I thought for a long time, but then I stopped, and I looked. I looked around me and how far I’ve come and the people I’ve lost and gained along the way. ‘What do you stand for’ is an empowering question, and I had already found the answer to it by just looking? That would be impossible, but it’s true. I did find the answer to it and it’s that simple. I looked back to my 12- year old self that thought so hard about the answer to this very question and wished I could tell her that the answer was right there. You just have to see it.

So what do you stand for?

Do you want to be someone that is known for being understanding? Do you want to be someone that is known for their passion? How about someone that wants to make a difference in the world? Or do you want to be someone that is known to get things done right there. When your world gets messy or scattered and when you feel like you’re living for someone else, what do you stand for? What is that thing that you are willing to give it all up for? It’s simple.

You stand for whatever inspires you, whatever drives you to do better. To think better. And to love better. So, choose that ‘something’ that pushes you to be a person when you feel like the entire world is rooting for you to fail. Find your purpose and hold on to it because as long as you know who you are, you’ll be okay, I promise. Always remember that there is beauty in you no matter what.

That is what you stand for.

All the love,

Lavanya

What I Wish I Would've Known

Written By: Kimberly Crickette

Today I’m sharing a few things I wish I knew when I was younger. The lessons I have since learned are ones that I try to share with my younger sister in order to make her journey in this world a little less tumultuous. My hope in sharing these is that a few of my words resonate with someone else, even if the only idea you come away with is that the struggles you are wading through now may one day be lessons you no longer associate with fear or panic, but with tenderness and a new perspective. 

You always have a choice. 

When life feels heavy or stagnant, you can (and should!) reflect on which areas in your life you can make changes. It’s never too late to make those changes to mold a life that makes your soul feel bright, deeply alive, and full of purpose. This life is yours; don’t let pressure from others keep you from decisions that feel good and right to you. The people who love you will be supportive of you making the best decisions for your wellbeing. For me personally, this has looked like transitioning to a new career path, choosing different housing arrangements, and dedicating more time to hobbies that fill my emotional bucket.

Your feelings aren't tsunamis. 

I have often felt like there was something wrong with me because I was so sensitive. And I’ll be the first to admit that at times, emotions can be terrifying. They might feel like they'll wipe you out and keep you down, but they won't. Instead of ignoring an unpleasant emotion or pushing it down (because that’s just a surefire way to ensure the emotion will keep bouncing to the surface), I've learned that the best way through is to recognize and welcome those emotions the way you would a visitor. Often, intense emotions are indicators of areas in our life that require additional attention. 

However, if you’re feeling unlike yourself, talking to a doctor or a therapist is never a bad idea. There's no shame in caring for your brain the same way you would care for your body. Trust your gut. 

You will find your people, I promise. 

I remember so many variations of this worry - whether or not I would meet true friends I would walk through life with, whether or not I would find a loving partner, whether I would always feel that I cared more than others in relationships and friendships...etc. Eventually, I figured out that when I showed up from a place of authenticity and vulnerability, I felt good in my own skin, and it showed. The right people gravitated towards me, and I thank God for them every day for the way they show me that they appreciate and love me.

Nurturing your inner child can help you feel safer during moments of uncertainty or anxiety. 

It’s taken me a while to get comfortable with the idea of “downtime”, but over the years my narrative around self-care has radically changed. It is neither lazy nor unproductive; rather, it is essential to finding peace in our hectic world. I can always tell when I have been neglecting self-care because my anxiety always ramps up. Some ways that I nurture my inner child are by doing art (I’m particularly drawn to simple pen drawings right now), spending quality quiet time reading on the couch beside loved ones, writing with a candle nearby, and HUGS. 

For The Letter Project.

Kimberly Crickette