A coping mechanism that began in 2021:
At the height of the pandemic, uncertainty filled the air. We searched for ways to cope, to connect, and to hold onto hope. For me, that came in the form of a simple chalkboard. Every month, I picked up my chalk and lettered a new message—sometimes uplifting, sometimes humorous, but always with the intent of bringing a little light to friends and strangers who made daily walks part of their schedule.
What began as a personal act of resilience quickly became something bigger. Neighbors paused on their walks to read the board. Strangers smiled as they passed by. Over time, people began to look forward to each new message, and I realized that my chalkboard had become more than just a way to express myself—it had become a source of true connection.
When I meet new people in the neighborhood now and they ask where I live, I describe our house and add “it’s the porch with the chalkboard.” They know.
Community endures
Over the years, I’ve shared messages I hope reflect what we all need to hear in the moment: words of encouragement, something to make us smile, and simple reminders that we are not alone.
When the governor of Florida raged against gay rights and Disney, I chalked an image of Mickey Mouse with a message of equality and rainbow stars. I’ve paid tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg (“You can disagree without being disagreeable”), Amanda Gorman and others, recognizing moments of national significance. When our local community was reeling after a serial shooting at a Splash Pad, I wrote a simple message, ‘Love Will Win,’ as a way to counter that awful moment of hate and the fear it caused.
Connecting through empathy
When we lost our female corgi in February of 2024, I cried as I chalked a message about her. As hard as it was, doing so taught me the value of community and kinship. Neighbors as well as many strangers we’d greeted on our daily walks stopped to offer their condolences and support. As anyone who’s love an animal understands, pet grief is real, and hearing others talk about their pets helped.
Small gestures matter
This chalkboard journey has taught me that even small gestures can make an impact. When the world feels overwhelming, positivity goes a long way. If you’ve ever thought about sharing a bit of joy in your own way—whether through art, words, or simple acts of kindness—I encourage you to do it. You never know who might need that message today.
As for my chalkboard, the messages will keep coming. And if you ever find yourself walking past, I hope it brings you a smile, a cheer, or a righteously raised fist.
You can see all of my chalkboard designs HERE on Pinterest.
Thanks for visiting!
My upcoming novel, Love and Other Incurable Ailments, is about Serenity, an anxious overthinker whose fixation on a stranger pulls her straight into chaos, heartbreak, and the inconvenient unraveling of her carefully constructed life.
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