MAYBE A NOTE WOULD HELP

Tremonti Reiter finds inspiration in gratitude in this self-help guide.

In the midst of her partner Austin’s grueling NFL schedule in 2021, the author found herself adrift—not just physically, as they bounced from city to city, but also mentally and spiritually. After sending a thankful missive to Austin’s agent and receiving a positive one back, the author remembered how much she enjoyed sending handwritten notes. This simple act spurred her to embark on a yearlong project of writing one note per day to express gratefulness and positivity in a world that increasingly relies on digital communication. Tremonti Reiter shares her note-writing journey in Part I of the book; in Part II, she advises readers on cultivating their own note-writing practice. Whether the message is for humans or nonhumans (she writes one note to her temporary home state of Florida, for example), Tremonti Reiter offers a variety of tips, from how to get started to ways in which one can maximize a note’s emotional impact (such as including details that will be particularly meaningful to its specific recipient). In today’s tumultuous world, the author’s relentless optimism proves quite refreshing: “When there are a million other things you could be doing, take the time to write a note…Write the note, be the blessing, start the ripple effect of love.” While some of the material occasionally veers into saccharine-sweet territory—the “scent-sational suggestion” to spritz perfume or cologne on a note may not turn out well for recipients allergic to strong smells—the majority of the book acts as a welcome and much-needed challenge to be kind, both to oneself and to others. The fundamental idea expressed in Tremonti Reiter’s book—that tiny, human-centered gestures positively affect both the giver and receiver—shines through as the author provides practical steps for making a change.

An uplifting reminder that simple acknowledgments really can make all the difference.