2020 was a wild and crazy year.
I’m able to look back on the last year with some measure of joy because I connected with so many of you by launching This is Not a Bill. The pandemic was just ramping up when I started accepting submissions in Spring. The project had been in development since the previous year, 2019. It was my goal towards the end of the year to launch within the first 100 days of the new decade! I managed to make it happen and I’m so glad I did. I’ve been able to flex my muscles of empathy and gratitude through reading so many big and small stories of triumph. On days when there didn’t seem like much worth celebrating, a submission would come that would energize me.
Thanks so much for requesting and sending me mail! Here’s a snapshot of the year and what you all were celebrating.
125 Postcards! Don’t ask me how, but the project generated over 100 handmade postcards commemorating all of the moments that were special to you! I look at this number and am completely wowed. One of my biggest fears before launch was that no one would want to participate; I've never been so happy to be so mistaken. The project is still less than a year old, so I think this is a big deal!
40%
Forty percent of all mail requests were for or showed appreciation for the special people in your lives. This project became a really great way for you to uplift and connect with loved ones in the midst of all of the physical distancing. This was an unexpected and beautiful outcome for the project. Many of these submissions elicited a big “AWWWWW,” response. Y’all are just so cute and kind.
32%
Thirty-two percent of the submissions mentioned personal achievements and milestones. From job promotions and graduations, to new homes and paying down debts—you all made great advances in your lives and careers. It really seemed that in the midst of it all, you were remaining hopeful and going after what meant the most to you; which reminds me…
18%
Eighteen percent of you talked about finally doubling down and pursuing your dream careers or trying new things. This is always huge news to me, because it can be really difficult to:
Cut through the noise enough to tune in to your inner voice and
Muster the courage to act on what your inner voice is telling you.
It’s personally taken me years to begin that work and I’m overjoyed to hear many of you are doing the same!
We’re just getting started in 2021, but I know great things are coming. I can’t wait to shout out all of your wins, all year long.