CONTEXT
"One of the greatest tragedies in life is that you are loved more than you will ever know." —Alan Watts
Your existence in this world creates so many ripples of goodness. But you'll never hear about most of it. Why? Because we rarely tell people how much we appreciate them. We feel it deeply, but rarely say it out loud.
The result? A silent epidemic of people who feel under-appreciated, surrounded by others who genuinely appreciate them.
For example:
- Someone still thinks about the good advice you gave them months ago
- Someone's child asks about you when you haven't visited in a while, because kids can sense genuinely good people
- Someone at work finds your presence calming, even when you’re quiet in meetings
- Someone wishes they had your perspective on life, even though you feel like you're still figuring it all out
- Your willingness to be vulnerable in conversations gives others permission to be real too
- There's a group chat where your name comes up fondly when you're not around
- The boundaries you set and maintain have inspired someone else to value themselves more
Why don’t we tell people how much we appreciate them? We assume the people we care about know. It’s obvious, right?
(It’s not.)
Now’s the time to change that.
THE METHOD
The 1-Minute Rule:
Every time someone crosses your mind, spend just 1 minute reaching out to them.
- Send a voice note to a friend: "I was thinking about you today and just wanted to say I'm so glad you're in my life."
- Text a coworker who helped you solve a problem: "Hey—I know it was just a quick conversation on Tuesday, but your advice helped so much. Thank you."
- Call your mom and tell her a specific story: "Remember when I was 12 and terrified to try out for the tennis team? I still remember the advice you gave me.” (More parents deserve to hear how their words shaped you.)
The beauty of this method? You're not waiting for holidays or birthdays. You're expressing gratitude in real-time, when it matters most.
Why 1 minute?
Because it's short enough that you can't say you’re too busy. No elaborate planning required. Just open your phone and hit send.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Life is too short to let words go left unsaid.
The compound effect of the 1-Minute Rule is powerful. Relationships deepen. Your social cup always feels full. And you live without regret, because the people in your life knew exactly how much they meant to you.
So here's your challenge: Start today. Send one text. Make one call. Tell someone why they matter. One minute is all it takes to close the gap between how much you care and how much they know it.
All my love,
Jade
Enjoyed this week’s newsletter? Forward it to someone who’ll appreciate it.
Or send me a note back! I read every single email you send me and it means the world to know when something resonated with you. 🫶
Here are just a few of the incredibly kind replies from last week’s newsletter on Clean Slates:
“I really needed to hear this today. Thank you, Jade.”
“Your newsletter is the only one I read whenever it comes in and the one I forward to friends, family and colleagues most often. Thank you for being you!”
“Wow Jade!!!! That was so well written and scarily “on the money”
I appreciate each one of you so much.
