Following up from my last post, you know I’ve found a new direction for EVR Creative—a side hustle for social good if you will (not that you have much of a choice because I already wrote it…and it has a good ring to it, don’t you think?). In thinking about it, though, it’s not so much a new direction as it is a parallel side road to my writing and editing. And as with most side roads, it’s slower and bumpier, but I’m taking it anyway because I’m pretty sure being a businesswoman (especially in #2020) has granted me with internal four-wheel drive and, more importantly, I’m more in tune with my why. Building and maintaining momentum for my one-woman business is hard enough, so why add a new thing? Because I believe in the new thing to stimulate social good.

What’s the new thing?

Handmade cards.

Really, just cards?

Yes, but with a twist.

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As you have read, I have an affinity for words and handwritten notes. Notes, cards, letters—these have been my go-to medium for spreading love, humor, and sympathy ever since I can remember. Those who are close to me know this well; those who aren’t, take my word for it (and accept that pun). So, I’m using what I know to do something bigger—well, bigger in a small business kind of way—with EVR Creative that will allow me to do meaningful work connected to my love for writing. I’m going paper—cardstock paper, to be precise—and making cards to combat loneliness.  

Why this focus? Good question.

I believe social connection is a necessary ingredient to happiness and health and that words are a powerful way to connect, especially when they are handwritten. One thing I have learned from my public health education is that loneliness affects all areas of health: mental, physical, and social. It can be devastating, but it can be mitigated. I look at the world and see the technology that has allowed us to connect in many and novel ways. But I look at that technology and see that it is not enough. People still feel isolated, disconnected, and lonely, even when a social circle is literally at their fingertips.

This is why I challenge the status quo of social connection today. Yes, my eighty-year-old-at-heart self is showing but hear me out.

In The Book of Joy, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu say that warm-heartedness is an antidote to loneliness. It’s why we crave warm things when we are feeling a bit lonely: soup, a cup of tea, a warm hug. Being the writer I am, I think words can be warm too, and I like to think I’m pretty good at writing heartfelt, thoughtful messages for people. I mean, I’ve had a lot of practice with all the notes I’ve written through the years (may they rest in peace…or be recycled-reincarnated into something good like an oat milk carton). And to prove that I care a lot about each message, you should see me with a blank card—you would think I was trying to write instructions on how to solve world hunger or explain death or sex to a five-year-old. It’s not that I write overly complicated or delicate things; it’s that I care a lot about every word I write. Because EVRy word matters.

Which brings me back to my cards. In contrast to our individualistic society and self-centeredness around personal success and happiness, I believe that compassion and love for others is how we experience joy (yes, I was influenced by The Book of Joy on that one, but I also know it to be true). We are social creatures, and we need each other—some days more than others and some people more than others.

This is what inspired a pay-it-forward mission for my card-making hustle. It is driven by a one-for-one model: for each EVR Creative card purchased, another one—also handmade and written by yours truly, EVR—is donated to someone in need of a little extra care or comfort (e.g., a person in an old folks’ home or homeless shelter) or left for a stranger to stumble upon.

Every card connects people, beyond maker (me) and buyer (perhaps you? 😉), and does a little bit of good for someone else, whoever they may be. It’s one way to stretch our social network, tangibly and meaningfully, and feel that we’ve done something beyond ourselves. A handmade and handwritten card may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, but I strongly believe in the little things to do some good and that it spreads from these little sprinkles of kindness. Because on the vanilla-icing landscape of the world, even just a few rainbow sprinkles would make it better.

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So, as I wrote in my last post, I’ve been making some cards. I’m armed with an alphabet typewriter-font stamp kit, an ink pad (check out my inky hands on Instagram), and a giant stack of cardstock. EVR Creative cards are made to order, for any occasion (or non-occasion), and can be sent anywhere in the world. To kick off the hustle, I made a batch for an old folks’ home in Seattle. I made each card with a unique greeting and design on the front and a handwritten message on the inside. Side (but exciting) note: I just received confirmation that the cards are now being distributed to the residents who need a little pick-me-up. I then made a handful of others and left them at bus stops for complete strangers to pick up. Don’t worry, I made them friendly looking! Here’s evidence of someone else’s way of using the then slightly tattered card to pay it forward:

Of note, I wholeheartedly and openly admit that I am no artist when it comes to designing cards. Looking at the over-saturated card market today, my designs are rudimentary at best. But, as you might have guessed, it’s the words that I’m after. I care about the message the card carries and the potential the words have to make someone smile, laugh, whatever…just feel warm. Because maybe that bit of warmth makes all the difference.

This is my small-scale version of leveraging EVR Creative to contribute to the collective good. I recognize that it’s a simple method of promoting social connection in a big world of complexity, and to that, I share a few more words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama that help fuel my four-wheel-drive hustle: “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” I love this because mosquitos are remarkably attracted to me, but mostly because it supports my long-held principle that small things create a big impact. Cards may be a small gesture, but the way they make someone feel is much bigger, and people won’t forget the way you make them feel.

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The idea behind EVR Creative cards is a work in progress, but, as I keep telling myself, it’s a start. I’ve started and now I keep going.

I’m in the process of setting up shop, but if you’re interested in buying cards, check out my cards for good! You can also email me at hello@evrbrown.com or message me on Instagram @evr_creative.

Buy a card, donate a card (and choose where it goes!).

One for one.

Pay it forward.