You: “So, Janine, what do you do for work?”

The Old Me: “You know the stuff you get with the sad kid on the front of the envelope asking you for money? I do that.”

You: **chuckle**

Yeah, I design junk mail. It may go into your trash (recycled, hopefully), or you may open it to see what free stuff could be in there. Labels? Notecards? One of those keychain handy-dandy combo flashlight/nail clipper? Or maybe you want that dime that’s showing through the window. And then .  .  . maybe it goes into your trash. 

I used to be a tosser of junk mail. The looker for freebies. If I wanted that notepad bad enough, I’d guilt myself into writing a check and then silently pat myself on the back for being so ‘philanthropic.’

And then I became a designer of ‘junk mail.’ No. I became a designer of ‘inspirational mail.’ I began to read the copy that was coming in for a layout. I began to thoughtfully engage with the story I was telling, finding just the right color scheme or images that would compel someone to care. I was using my power for good. And it felt great!

And then I started opening my own junk mail; no longer looking for the freebies, but for the content — reading the story, finding the inspiration. Did this designer have the same connection to what they created?

I started to pay attention. I started to care. And now I want you to care, too.

I’m optimistic that after reading this, you won’t throw your inspirational mail away; you’ll read the letter telling you of all the good that’s being done with donor dollars; you’ll read the insert that details the struggle of a single mom in a torn country, and how the organization is helping her to build a better life for her and her kids. Maybe there are food vouchers, and you read that one voucher can feed many mouths for a week. You feel inspired, maybe even compelled to visit the organization’s website to learn more about the awesome ways they’re doing good in the world. 

And then maybe, just maybe, you decide to use this new-found inspiration to pay it forward. All because you opened your junk mail with a slightly different expectation. 

You: “So, Janine, what do you do for work?”

The New Me: “Thanks for asking! I design inspirational mail for nonprofits. You know the mail you get asking for money? I do that. And I hope the next time you go to your mailbox, you’ll open it and get inspired.”

You: “Awesome.”

My name is Janine, and I design junk mail — and love every minute of it.

(Don’t forget to recycle.)