The Surprising Power of an Unexpected Thank-You Message

Expressing gratitude is by no means a new or revolutionary concept - but for one reason or another - we’re often too embarrassed to embrace it. A simple expression of gratitude, whether handwritten or sent online, can be far more powerful (and less cringe inducing) than most people realise.

A 2018 study by Amit Kumar and Nicholas Epley, published in Psychological Science, asked participants to write thank-you notes to people who had made a difference in their lives.

Most writers underestimated how much their note would matter, worrying it might feel awkward or overly sentimental. Yet recipients consistently reported feeling touched, pleasantly surprised, and far happier than the senders expected. Both groups experienced a boost in mood and a stronger sense of connection.

Follow-up research by the same team in 2020 found the same effect held true for digital thank-yous. Whether the message was on paper or sent by email, what mattered most was its sincerity. A short, thoughtful note, typed or handwritten, still carried a powerful emotional impact.

So, the takeaway for me is: gratitude travels well, no matter the medium. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, pretty stationary or to have stamps (that’s the one that gets me!).

Send a message to a former mentor or colleague who shaped you or just kept you sane in the depths of a tricky project! It might brighten someone's whole week, including your own.