I Have Faith in the Post-It Note

I have unwavering faith in the almighty power of the Post-It note. Those sticky, yellow, squares of paper provide everything from a brief reminder and instant communication to a heart-warming and much needed boost of confidence. Their presence in this world is over-looked, but I feel that I can confidently say that without them, society would fall into a state of mass chaos and then crumble.

One specific incident comes to mind when I think of the positive impact the Post-It note has had in my life. It had been the most miserable day. On top of failing an algebra test and getting into a huge fight with my best friend, it was just one of those days where I felt really crummy about myself. You know, when you look in the mirror and see this big, fat, ugly, lump of cottage cheese and you just know that everyone else sees you the exact same way. You just want to put on the baggiest pair of sweats in your closet and hide in the darkest corner of the room because nothing could possibly make you look good today. Yeah, it was one of those days, so by the time I made it home I was in such a foul mood that I made a beeline for my room where I proceeded to throw my backpack to the ground and dig through my closet for my sweat pants.

As I was bending over to look in the bottom drawer of a small dresser in my closet, I banged my head on a shelf. That was it. That little bump on the head was my breaking point. I could feel my eyes burning and the tears that were threatening to spill over. I stood up and for some reason I turned to look at myself in this little mirror that I keep in my closet, and right there in the corner, messily scrawled on a neon pink Post-It note, were the words “You are beautiful!”

Even though I felt anything but beautiful at that moment, just knowing that someone somewhere thought I was made all the difference. It was also the anonymity and randomness of it. It wasn’t just one of my friends trying to cheer me up because they felt like that was what they were supposed to do at that moment. Someone really thought I was beautiful, wrote it on a Post-It, and stuck it to the most random mirror in my house in hopes that I would find it one day. I still don’t know who wrote it or when they put it there, but none of that really matters. I know it’s weird, but that note turned my day around.

I have faith in Post-It notes. They have the power to do everything from lifting my spirits to reminding me to brush my teeth when it’s too early in the morning for my brain to remember on its own, and, whether we realize it or not, everybody relies on the Post-It note. We know that when we stick that little note on the coffee pot to inform our mothers that we went to the store and will be returning shortly that they will get it and no unnecessary freak-out over our location will occur. I know that my messages will be delivered and can trust to be reminded to grab an umbrella because the weatherperson said it was going to rain today. We trust that sticky strip on the back to hold onto whatever random surface we choose to stick it to, and it has yet to fail me. I have faith in the Post-It note.