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Penpals

May 1, 2011 by Joy the Baker 252 Comments

penpals

I need you.   Did you know that?

I’ve had the shaky leg lately.  I’ve eaten waaaay too much popcorn in full-on fits of what can only be described as ‘nervous eating’.  I’ve more to-do lists than I care to admit.  I shouldn’t even mention this weird pacing and sweeping the floor habit that I have.

I think I’ve been a little anxious in the world.  Earthquakes. Taxes.  Tornadoes.  Bin Ladens.  I dunno.  I’m feeling it.

There’s this thing I do when I’m anxious… I try to make other people feel better.  Thinking about making other people feel good makes me feel good.  So!  I pick up a pen, bust out my box of stationary, and write letters.  I know how much I like to receive letters, and I feel compelled to pass on that sensation.

I know I’ve written a handful of you letters for my 30 Things Before 30 Years post, but I wanted to broaden my reach.  I want to write more of you.  Can I?

Here’s the deal:

Send your address, or the address of someone you think might really enjoy a handwritten (albeit entirely silly) letter.  I will, in all likelihood (and in due time) write you a letter.  If you receive a letter, please (please!) snap a quick photograph of you and said letter to email to me.  Deal?

I have a feeling I’m going to need to stock up on stationary.

Oh!  And I should mention that if you entrust your address to me, I will only use it for purposes of friendly letter writing… I won’t stalk you… although if I did stalk you, I’d probably bring cookies.  So.  You know.  Not so bad.

Email you mailing address to: joy the baker is my penpal (at) gmail (dot) com.  No spaces… silly.

Check your mail.

Ps.  I sometimes use crayons.  I’m one of the cool kids.

Pps.  Judging by the response so far… I’m really going to need additional stationery.

Ppps.  An update.  It’s been less than 24 hours, and I’ve received nearly 1,000 addresses.  I’m stoked.  I’m amazed.  I’m going to get a hand cramp.  I’ve written six letters so far.  Six.  Keep the addresses coming.  I love you.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kirstin

    May 2, 2011 at 1:00 am

    I hope you have enough stamps to send a letter all the way to Kyrgyzstan!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 2, 2011 at 1:06 am

      i do. i definitely do.

      Reply
  2. Lisanne

    May 2, 2011 at 12:52 am

    I love this idea!

    Reply
  3. Rachel

    May 2, 2011 at 12:51 am

    This is awesome. Your blog always makes me smile. My husband reads too… then emails me everything he wants us to cook/bake together.

    Reply
    • Victoria from London

      May 2, 2011 at 4:03 am

      Awwwwh!

      Reply
  4. Kaila

    May 2, 2011 at 12:46 am

    This is amazing Joy! What a great way to spend your time. I’m going through a 3-year-relationship breakup and have been trying to find things to do to make myself feel better and take my mind of things, and this idea is just so neat.
    Thanks for being so rad!

    Reply
    • Kim

      May 2, 2011 at 5:34 am

      I am sorry about your break up….those are never fun. Lots of hugs and love.

      Reply
  5. Aeshna

    May 2, 2011 at 12:46 am

    Would love love love a letter from you, Joy :)
    To India maybe? Anyhoo. Sending it out.

    Reply
  6. Jennifer L.

    May 2, 2011 at 12:44 am

    Done!
    PS I was just looking for your address on the website to send you one back… was there an PO box address on here at some point? I can’t find it. :)

    Reply
  7. Alexandra

    May 2, 2011 at 12:37 am

    Wow! What an utterly fabulous idea. I would like to write more handwritten letters myself! I’ve recently become obsessed with my watercolor paints, and now am using every possible excuse to bring people gifts with handmade cards attached (oh, you’re having a huge party? Hope you don’t mind if I bring along a sweet housewarming gift with a home-watercolored card attached! So where’s the keg?!)

    But seriously.

    Very, very cool Joy! I love that you continue inspiring my tummy and my mind! ;)

    xxx

    Reply
  8. Taryn

    May 2, 2011 at 12:36 am

    What a fabulous idea! I loved hand written letters. I love writing them. I love getting them. I love cards. One of my all time favorite places that I’ve worked was a Hallmark store! I sure had a lot of stationary then. I was just thinking the other day how sad it is that my 5 year old daughter is growing up in this tech age where it’s all about email. I remember having pen pals. I remember writing to complete strangers from Bop Magazine – lol :o) Emailing you my address…

    -Taryn

    Reply
  9. Merage

    May 2, 2011 at 12:26 am

    Sent! :) So excited about this. I love getting and writing letters. And we all know how rare those pencil (or crayon) and paper messages are these days!

    Reply
  10. Lindsay Tjarks

    May 2, 2011 at 12:21 am

    Joy, what a cute and very happy idea! So fun!

    Reply
  11. Rachel

    May 2, 2011 at 12:20 am

    Will you really write us letters? That’s probably one of the coolest things ever!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 2, 2011 at 12:25 am

      i’m doing it as we speak!

      Reply
  12. Katescakesandbakes

    May 2, 2011 at 12:08 am

    Dear Joy,

    Does your lovely letter writing apply to your fans overseas? I suspect probably not but I thought there might be no harm in asking. Crayons are very cool.

    I am totally needing to check out your 30 things before 30 post too as I turned 30-1 (29) yesterday and having some kind of mini existence crisis that I only have 364 days left of my twenty somethings. Although the cakes baked for the birthday celebrations helped calm down my hyperventilating self. Anyway off to check your post.

    Yours sincerely,

    Katescakesandbakes

    PS I read once that worrying is like a rocking chair- it gives you something you do but doesn’t get you anywhere. Tis true.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 2, 2011 at 12:26 am

      overseas is totally cool! bring it! twenty somethings are nice… but i think thirties are going to rock.

      Reply
      • Stef

        May 2, 2011 at 4:18 am

        Hurray! Germany is a splendid place to send a letter to ;) You just got an email from meee!

        Reply
  13. Maggie

    May 2, 2011 at 12:04 am

    would you like to have a mexico penpal? haha i would love to receive a letter and write you a letter, maybe sending you some goodies from here haha ;)
    like always i love your blogposts you are amazing! thank you for always putting a smile on my face!
    and i think im the first to comment YAY! haha
    cheers from mexico! :P

    Reply
  14. kellie

    May 2, 2011 at 12:02 am

    i was just processing through these exact things, and i write letters to others when i’m needing the loving. i think we get something from giving…

    Reply
  15. Adam

    May 2, 2011 at 12:01 am

    done & done!
    i will squeal like a school girl if i get a letter.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 2, 2011 at 12:26 am

      you will get a letter. promise.

      Reply
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