Appreciation letters

In our whirlwind lives, where moments often blur together and words often lose their weight, an appreciation letter can stand as a simple, meaningful pause that says, “I see you. I value you.” To those reading them, they are more than just words on a page. They are a tangible representation that their work, that what they’ve done, matters. Knowingly or unknowingly. It’s why I believe appreciation letters are magic.

When you take the time to write such a letter, you are telling someone that their efforts, no matter how small, have not been overlooked. That’s an incredibly powerful thing, to be reminded that what we do is noticed, is seen. Imagine a gardener, hands caked with earth, being told that their roses remind someone of home, of love. Or a teacher learning that their lessons planted seeds of courage in a student who dared to dream bigger. Or a small company discovering that their carefully crafted teas have become part of someone’s daily ritual. That’s the magic of an appreciation letter. It takes the mundane and spins it into gold.

In these letters, the giver receives something too. Writing one is like looking at the sky on a clear, dark night and seeing stars that had been there all along. It shifts your perspective; helps you slow down. Gratitude has a way of doing that, of drawing your attention to the beauty that exists in the everyday. You may realize it’s not the big gestures that move you, but the small, consistent acts: the way a waiter remembers your favorite dinner order, or how they listen without rushing to respond. In writing down your appreciation, you might come to know yourself a little better.

If you’re wondering where to start, don’t worry about being eloquent (I don’t). Start small. Write honestly. Be specific. Share what happened and how it made you feel. Help them see themselves through your eyes. If you can, don’t be afraid to let your letter linger. Let your words carry the weight of the moment, the sound of your voice, the essence of what you want to say. And when you end your letter, end it with warmth.

The beauty of an appreciation letter is its ripple effect. Like tossing a pebble into a still pond, it creates waves. The person who receives it might carry that joy into their own interactions, creating a chain reaction of kindness. And for you, the writer, it’s a step toward a life where gratitude is a practice, not just an occasional thought. The stars you once thought were rare, start appearing more often, and not just at night.

As you might be able to tell, I’ve been thinking about appreciation letters lately. It’s funny how some ideas hit us when we least expect them. For me, it happened yesterday as I was sipping on a cup of Apple Cinnamon Chamomile tea. With every sip, a moment of peace and calm in the middle of a hectic day. That’s when I realized I had never written an appreciation letter to a company. Why not start today? Why not take the time to write a letter and let them know how much I appreciate their work and how it has brightened my day?

An appreciation letter is a small act, but a meaningful one. It’s a moment when you stop and say, “Here’s why you matter, here’s why what you’ve done matters to me.” So take the time. Start today. Write a letter.