Here’s one of the most important pieces of advice you’ll ever get:
Write thank you notes.
It’s more than just good manners, it’s a way to show that you care.
Despite being so small, they show a large amount of appreciation and will make someone’s day.
Sure, you can send a text message. Better than nothing, of course. But you and the recipient both know that it’s a poor substitute for buying a card in a shop, writing on it by hand, and walking it to a mailbox or delivering it in person.
Everyone’s excited to open a handwritten letter.
The design of the card, the smell and feel of the paper, the interesting quirks of the handwriting. There’s nothing quite as special and warm as a handwritten note.
It doesn’t even need to run longer than a sentence or two:
“Dear Stephanie, thank you so much for your support today. Your advice was invaluable. – Jeroen”
And just like that you’ve made a keepsake that your recipient can reread a hundred times over. Unlike an email, which is often read and forgotten.
So run to the shop for some note cards and a pen, and keep them with you wherever you go. You never know when someone will do something thoughtful that deserves a proper thank you.
And remember, it’s not the thought that counts, but the effort you put in. People don’t forget.