The #tchotchkebox Project
A modest campaign to help folks fighting mental health battles
For the last several years, I’ve been collecting goofy objects, divvying them into little packages, and offering to mail them to folks in need of a pick-me-up. I’ve dubbed them tchotchke boxes; the bric-a-brac inside may or may not be valuable or useful but it’s fun and maybe worth having to someone, if only for a glance and a chuckle.
I put a handful of these together a few times a year then ask around social media for a name and address and I’ll mail something,1 postage paid (only in the lower 48, sorry). I also emphasize how so many people struggle with depression and mental illness—and if it’s not you, dear reader, it is definitely someone you know. Take a moment.
No, really.
Take a moment.
Take several moments. And maybe a few breathes, too.
One of the best results of this project has been that, because I mail these without my name on ‘em, recipients don’t know who sent ‘em. They reach out and ask around and inadvertently get (back) in touch with friends and family. I think this is beautiful. I hope it goes at least some of the distance in fighting these insidious battles with our brain and body. It wasn’t my goal. It’s even better.
The quandary has been a combo in how to get the word out (though maybe not too far, since postage is pricey) and how to encourage folks to take a moment. Truly. Take. A. Moment.2
I suspect it’s hard for most of us to stop scrolling and reflect on anyone’s mental state (especially our own). However, I bet if you did it RIGHT NOW you could come up with a list of, say, three people who are having a rough go of things right now.
You can include yourself on this list. It’s okay. I would love to mail you something.
In the meantime, this is what I see on my window ledge, and here is a video of its creation set to a piano solo I improvised ages ago. I hope this helps you pause and breathe.
Love,
Elizabeth
Hint hint! Just get me a name and address! Do it!
Did you read that with an emphasis on each capitalized word and a little pause at each period? Punctation is so cool!