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Creating something personal and putting it out into the world is always a vulnerable act. When I designed my friendship booklet — a cute, creative way for people to connect with penpals — I poured my heart into it. It was more than just paper and stickers. It was about human connection. About nostalgia. About handwritten notes in a digital world. About kindness passed hand to hand.
So, when I opened one of the returned booklets and saw that someone had written, “This penpal club is a scam,” I’ll be honest — it hurt.
At first, I sat there stunned. Then the self-doubt rushed in. Am I doing something wrong? Do people not understand what I’m trying to create?
But after a few deep breaths and some reflection, I realized this experience was an important reminder — not just for me, but for anyone who dares to start something meaningful.
Not Everyone Will Understand Your Heart
When you start a project like this — rooted in trust, joy, and connection — you assume people will receive it with the same warmth. But not everyone will. Some might misunderstand. Some might judge without context. And yes, some might even accuse you of something unfairly.
That doesn’t mean your project isn’t worthy.
It means it’s real. And real things evoke real reactions — good and bad.
What the Penpals Club Actually Is
My penpals club isn’t a scam. It’s a passion project. A grassroots effort to help people feel a little less alone, one note at a time.
Members receive or pass along friendship booklets, filled with little introductions — favorite colors, hobbies, wishes, sometimes even secrets. It’s a simple way to find connection, across cities, countries, and cultures.
There’s no money being taken. No tricks. Just a paper trail of kindness — passed from hand to hand, like the old days of snail mail.
If You’ve Ever Been Misunderstood, You’re Not Alone
To anyone reading this who’s ever had their dreams questioned, their efforts misjudged, or their heart dismissed: I see you.
Keep creating. Keep sharing. Keep building spaces for joy.
That one hurtful comment won’t stop me from continuing this project. In fact, it’s made me more determined to make it even better. To be more transparent, more communicative, and even more inclusive. Because for every person who doubts, there are ten others who are ready to write back.
And maybe, just maybe, even the ones who don’t believe in it now… might one day be surprised by a friendly letter in the mail.
Have you ever had a project or passion misunderstood? How did you handle it? Let’s talk in the comments — I’d love to hear your story. 💌
