As an avid postcard collector and Postcrossing enthusiast since 2016, I have experienced firsthand the simple joy of finding a postcard from a faraway land in my mailbox. In this post, I’ll share my personal story of discovering Postcrossing and the magical moments it has brought into my life over the years.
Discovering the World of Postcrossing
I first learned about Postcrossing through a friend who was an early member of the postcard exchange community. She showed me the postcards she had received from places like Taiwan, Russia, and Argentina. I was fascinated by the concept of receiving surprise postcards from random people across the globe.
After visiting the Postcrossing website and reading about its mission of connecting the world through postcard exchanges, I was hooked! I signed up for an account that very night. I eagerly made my first postcard and dropped it in the mail, not knowing where in the world it would end up.
The feeling of anticipation waiting for my first postcard was exhilarating. I checked the mail eagerly every day, wondering what stamp and country it would arrive from.
The Excitement of Receiving My First Postcard
I’ll never forget the day I received my very first Postcrossing postcard. I opened my mailbox and saw an envelope with beautiful foreign stamps. My heart jumped as I realized this was it – my first postcard from a Postcrossing stranger!
I rushed inside and sat down to open it. The postcard was from Taiwan, with a vibrant photo of Taipei 101 on the front. The sender had written a sweet note thanking me for the chance to connect. As I read the message, I was overcome with excitement at this new global connection.
Receiving that first postcard made the concept of Postcrossing feel real. I was now part of a global community, linked by our shared passion for postcards and making connections. It was a special moment I’ll always remember.
The Thrill of Checking the Mailbox
Now, as a seasoned Postcrosser, those thrilling moments of discovery have become a regular occurrence. I never know what I’ll find in my mailbox on any given day.
Some days it’s just bills and junk mail. But then there are those magical days when I spot the telltale signs of a postcard – the quirky stamps, the international postmark, the cardstock thickness. My pulse quickens as I eagerly flip it over to reveal which country it has arrived from.
Over the years, I’ve received postcards from over 65 different countries across six continents. I’ve gotten cards from busy metropolises, remote mountain villages, and tiny islands I’ve never heard of. Postcrossing has expanded my geographical knowledge immensely!
Building a Global Community
Part of the allure of Postcrossing is connecting with people from completely different cultures and backgrounds. With each postcard I receive, I get a tiny glimpse into someone else’s life.
Some postcards feel particularly profound. One card I received from Kazakhstan shared a local proverb about hospitality. A card from China highlighted interesting cultural customs and traditions.
Postcrossers include personal anecdotes, recommendations, and local insights to make their postcard messages unique. It’s a perspective you simply can’t get from traditional travel guides or internet research.
I now see the world as a interconnected web of people. We each have our own stories to share. Postcrossing provides a simple way to share those stories across borders and oceans.
The Personal Touch of Handwritten Correspondence
In today’s digital era, receiving something tangible and personal in the mail is a rare delight. The handwritten messages I’ve received through Postcrossing have spanned the spectrum from quick friendly hellos to lengthy personal essays.
Some Postcrossers have exquisite handwriting that looks like calligraphy. Others use colorful pens and artistic lettering. There’s something special about seeing someone’s unique writing style on a page.
My favorite postcards are those with longer messages recounting the sender’s life or hometown in detail. The time and care that goes into crafting these mini-letters is touching.
One lovely postcard from Finland told the story of the sender’s favorite lake cottage passed down through generations of her family. A card from China described the sender’s day working at a panda conservation center. These mini stories feel like gifts to be treasured.
Collecting Memories from Around the Globe
As a passionate collector, I also love accumulating postcards from new countries and cities for my collection. When I flip through my postcard album, each card sparks memories of the moment I received it.
Some of my favorite postcards in my collection include:
- A stylish retro-style postcard from Miami, Florida with iconic art deco architecture. Looking at it whisks me away to warm sandy beaches.
- A stunning landscape postcard of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China. The soaring stone pillars look like something from a fantasy novel.
- A “wish you were here” beach postcard from Honolulu, Hawaii that seems to exude the peaceful island vibe.
- A gorgeous illustrated postcard from Yerevan, Armenia depicting an monumental stone sculpture.
Each postcard in my album has a story behind it. Together they create a scrapbook of mini adventures across the globe.
Displaying and Treasuring My Postcard Collection
When I’m not flipping through my postcard album, I like to decorate with my collection. I’ve framed particularly beautiful or sentimental postcards to hang on my walls. position popular postcards on my fridge or shelves so I can enjoy them daily.
There are so many creative ways to display postcards around your home:
- Create a world map wall collage – Pin each postcard to a giant wall map in the location it was sent from. This creates an artistic mosaic of your postcrossing travels!
- Craft postcard wreaths or garlands – String together postcards from certain countries or on a theme to create unique wall decor.
- Frame postcards in shadowboxes – Arrange your favorites together in a framed box for an artistic accent piece.
- Decoupage postcards onto furniture – Decoupage special postcards onto the top of a small chest, table, or mirror for a shabby chic style.
However you choose to creatively use your collection, let the postcards spark joy and evoke memories in your home.
Spreading Postcrossing Joy to Others
My postcrossing passion has also inspired me to spread that same joy to others in my life. I love introducing Postcrossing to friends and family and sharing fun postcards I receive.
I’ve also purchased postcard packs from countries that interest people I know. Then I’ll write a personal postcard message and mail it to brighten their day.
For holidays and special occasions, I enjoy sending loved ones postcards instead of generic greeting cards. Taking a few minutes to hand write a heartfelt message makes it extra meaningful.
Postcrossing has made me realize how much happiness a simple postcard can create. I try to spread that happiness out into my non-postcrossing life whenever I can.
Continuing My Postcrossing Adventure
Nearly 8 years and 800 postcards later, I’m still thrilled every time I receive an envelope with those telltale Postcrossing markings. I don’t think the excitement of discovering a new postcard from some far-flung corner of the planet will ever fade.
Postcrossing represents exploration, connection, and community. It has allowed me to meet – if only briefly – so many fascinating people. My ever-expanding postcard album overflows with beautiful memories and global perspectives.
If you have any interest in geography, art, culture, or meeting new people, I cannot recommend Postcrossing enough! Joining only takes a few minutes. But the memories and magical mailbox moments will last a lifetime.
I hope this glimpse into my personal postcrossing journey inspires you to start your own. Let the postcards take you on an adventure – you never know where they’ll come from next!