Notes of Hope
By: Boy Under The Bridge
Tags: Self Improvement, Kindness, Covid 19, Creativity, Beyourself

This year has seen the collective mood drop to a new low. Especially in Melbourne (Australia) where we have been restricted to spending only one hour outside within five kilometres of our homes.

We’ve been left to fill our days with routine and repetitive trips to the supermarket and walks around the block; shows we wouldn’t have otherwise watched; too much social media; and the refreshing of news websites for updates as to when this will all be over.

Then there’s me with my typewriter and smartphone…

I’ve brought these two technologies from different worlds together in a way that allows me to bring a bit of novelty and hope to my neighbourhood. I’ve created a treasure hunt of uplifting typewritten notes and poems.

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. “ — Robin Williams (Dead Poets Society)

The idea of placing snippets of my writing in public came to me well before the pandemic started. I started several years ago when I moved to Sydney. I was inspired by the street art culture there and wanted to contribute in my own way.

I had also started using Instagram, and noticed there was a trend of using typewriter fonts. So, desiring to do things differently (and feeling the fonts were rather tacky) I sourced myself a physical typewriter and started posting my pieces up around in public places.

I’d occasionally get notifications that someone had found my work — but my goal wasn’t likes or followers. I’ve always said I’m online for friends. Posting my work allowed me to organically make more connections with people in my area. Sometimes we’d meet in person or just remain online friends.

The treasure hunt started recently during lockdown when I began noticing more people finding my pieces. The regular feedback was that stumbling upon my pieces brought something different to their day; something special; something needed.

I realised I had an opportunity to make this something into something even better… A treasure hunt.

Getting it going was flawlessly smooth. The fitness app, Strava allows me to track my path as I duck in and out of side streets and look for new locations. I then upload this map accompanied with a few visual clues (unless it’s pro mode which features no clues) and the hunt is on!

Social media is often seen as being superficial — putting people on a chase of likes and followers. But I can honestly say this project of mine has resulted in more genuine connections. Not just between me and others, but amongst those who have been taking part in my hunts.

Here’s a story that’s particularly heartwarming. While talking to two different people in my area, I became aware that they both are going through breakups. And I was able to introduce them to one another as sources of support.

Like the uplifting chalk messages, spoonsville and teddy bears in windows that have popped up during this pandemic, this project been another way to bring much-needed smiles to weary faces and remind everyone that we’re still a community and still connected — even when we’re required to physically stay apart.

I’ve also received an influx of attention after a journalist from The Age caught wind of what I was doing. An article was written about me which led to an interview on live TV and radio the next day! It’s been quite surreal.