What To Write

It’s hard to come up with just the right thing to say.
That paralyzing fear of a blank canvas strikes.
Even if you’re not an artist standing in front of a would-be painting, you’ve felt that uncomfortable knot in your stomach and made an attempt to complete everything else on your list before coming back to that empty page.

But what to write?
Perhaps it’s easier to just stand in front of the rack of cards at the store and open each one until you land upon a sentiment that’s close to what you were trying to express.

Then again, you really wanted the recipient to feel what you’re feeling for them, and you value a meaningful connection

Otherwise it becomes the dreaded small talk conversation.
You offer a smile.
And a hello.
And then maybe a comment about the weather.
But you leave feeling unfulfilled and wondering why you’ve just had a relatively meaningless conversation-if you can call it that- with someone.
It may be someone you know or an elevator companion or the clerk.
You wonder if they care about the answer.
You wonder if you care.

Here are some ways to take what you expect to be a boring, time filler topic and make it meaningful and memorable.

smiles,

megan

what to write about the weather
what to write about the day
what to write about food
what to write about travel
what to write to a child
what to write when you can't fix it


what to write about the weather
You finally sit down to pen a note to a friend, but all you can think about are the same quips about the weather.
You know she ‘d love to hear from you and she probably doesn’t even care if you discuss the weather.

It’s okay to talk about the weather.
But what if you turn a complaint about the lack of sun into a note reminiscing about a rainstorm?
What did it sound like?
What did it smell like?
What color was the sky?
Did it wash the driveway or your car?
Do you like the rain?
Do you watch it from the porch or from the window?

All of a sudden you have a much more intriguing story to share.
Your friend feels like she’s sharing the moment with you.

When you’re wondering what to write, take something – like the weather – and make it meaningful and memorable.



what to write about your day
You finally sit down to pen a note to a friend, but all you can think about are the same quips about your schedule today.
You know she ‘d love to hear from you and she probably doesn’t even care if you discuss all the little things you did (or didn’t) accomplish).

It’s okay to talk about your day.
But what if you turn a complaint about your never ending to do list into an observation about one small moment that you noticed?
How did you feel when you completed your task?
Who helped you get it done?
What tiny item was different in how you usually get the job done?
Did you move the chore to a different location in the house?
Where was your mind wandering when you chipped away at that repetitive project?

All of a sudden you have a much more intriguing story to share.
Your friend feels like she’s sharing the moment with you.

When you’re wondering what to write, take something – like your daily tasks – and make it meaningful and memorable.


what to write about food
You finally sit down to pen a note to a friend, but all you can think about are the same old recipes you’ve eaten all month .
You know she‘d love to hear from you and she probably doesn’t even care if you discuss all the frozen dinners or times you threw in the towel and went out.

It’s okay to talk about food.
Who taught you/passed down your favorite dish?
What’s the atmosphere of the best restaurant in your town?
What design feature from that new cooking show are you coveting for your own kitchen?
What’s your latest farmer’s market fun-splurge?
Where were you when you served this entrée last?
What’s your go-to snack?
Describe the illustrations in a new cookbook – what made you pick it off the shelf?
What do you always change about a standard recipe?
All of a sudden you have a much more intriguing story to share.
Your friend feels like she’s sharing the moment with you.
Your typical weekday meal isn’t quite so boring and is post card worthy.
When you’re wondering what to write, take something – like food choices – and make it meaningful and memorable.


what to write about travel
You finally sit down to pen a note to a friend, but all you can think about is being stuck in the airport for that layover.

You know she‘d love to hear from you and she probably doesn’t even care if you discuss all the jet lag and last minute gate changes.

It’s okay to talk about travel.
What was the thing you missed about home that surprised you?
What did you splurge on to prepare?
What was the funniest interaction you had with the locals?
What was the most prominent color you saw?
What’s the atmosphere of the best restaurant you stopped at?
Was there something you tried that you wouldn’t have done at home?

All of a sudden you have a much more intriguing story to share.
Your friend feels like she’s sharing the moment with you.
Your typical trip isn’t quite so boring and is post card worthy.

When you’re wondering what to write, take something – like travel – and make it meaningful and memorable.


what to write to a child
You finally sit down to pen a note to a child, but all you can think about is what they were wearing or how cute they look.
You know she‘d love to hear from you and she probably doesn’t even care if you discuss how you had to share one mitten and walk uphill both ways to get to school.



It’s fun to write to a child.
What colors do you see around you?
Do you have any pets?
What was your favorite childhood book?
What kinds of things do you do in your free time?
What do you remember about a summer vacation or special trip?
Do you play a favorite game with friends?
How do you celebrate a special event?
All of a sudden you have a much more intriguing story to share.
Your new friend feels like she’s sharing the moment with you.
Your typical favorites and interests aren’t quite so boring and are post card worthy.

When you’re wondering what to write, take something – like memories from childhood – and make it meaningful and memorable.

what to write when you can’t fix it
Sometimes you just can’t fix it.
Sometimes you have to just sit there and be present, and that’s all you can do.
It’s hard. But sometimes, that’s everything to someone.
You have no idea what to say. And maybe the person doesn’t even know what she wants or needs to hear.

You can offer, “It’s great to see you” or an “I'm here for you.”
You know she‘d love to hear from you and she probably doesn’t even care if you discuss what you did the last time you were together.
Did you drive together or meet up there?
Whose idea was it?
Who picked the place?
Were there special preparations to attend, or was it a spontaneous thing?
What time of day was it? Is that usually when you’re out and about?
Did you try something new or continue a long standing tradition?

All of a sudden you have a much more intriguing story to share.
Your friend feels like she’s sharing the moment with you.
Your last gathering details don’t seem quite so boring and are post card worthy.
When you’re wondering what to write, take something – like the last time you saw her – and make it meaningful and memorable.