Kind Words

print by Please Be Still

Every so often, I get a little hard on myself, overworked, overwhelmed, and I start to doubt what I'm doing and what I'm making. Sometimes it's because I haven't been feeling very creative lately. Sometimes it's because I simply need more sleep (or more coffee). It can also easily happen if a customer goes all crazy on me - maybe they're having a bad day and they decide to take it out on me (or maybe they're just a bitch). I'm sure no matter what line of work you're in, customers (or coworkers or bosses) have been unfairly unkind to you and it's easy to get bummed out or worse - down on yourself.

To counteract these dark moments, I've made a folder in my mail program called "Kind Words". Whenever someone writes anything nice to me, I drag the email into that folder so that I may revisit it whenever the blues set in. It's like a pep talk and can turn around a bad day for me! Here are a few happy thoughts from that folder:

Hi, I bought the post rectangle gold-filled earrings at the Renegade arts fair in Chicago and they have quickly become one of my favorite pairs of earrings-- I cannot take them off! They are beautiful and elegant and go with everything, I have been wearing them almost every day for weeks, to work and out. You have a new customer, thank you!!! Erica

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You may or may not remember, I accosted you at Yazoo a while back to compliment you on your work. I continually get great comments on your pieces whenever I wear them, and I'm so happy to get to add to my collection. :)

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Hi Beth, This is a quick note to say thank you so much. I am loving my new earrings (Kiwi in gold) and having so much fun wearing them! Your jewelry is so beautiful. I met you at Stitch in Austin several years ago and have been ordering from you ever since. Many, many thanks! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to seeing more lovely jewelry from you in 2011. Best, Kate

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*Sigh* People can be so nice. And it's so easy to forget that when you're dealing with a not nice one. Take a minute to make a Kind Words folder of your own - put your favorite emails in it (even if they're from your best friends). You may need to use it one day when you're in need of a virtual hug!