What are Open-Source Happiness Packets?
People are generally much more loved than we think we are. But while it's easy for many to complain when they don't like something, we're often fairly silent when things are good. Open-source communities are no different, especially when our main communication channels are textual and virtual.
However, the feeling that you made a difference, that your work matters and has value, and that the people you work with are happy to work with you, is an awesome and important feeling. With Open-Source Happiness Packets, we're trying to spread that feeling.
How does it work?
Openly expressing appreciation, gratitude, or happiness to other people can be difficult. This is especially true when you don't know them very well. Many of us come from cultures in which people are not open by default about such feelings, and naturally feel uncomfortable or even creepy to share them.
Open-Source Happiness Packets is a very simple platform to anonymously reach out to the people that you appreciate or to whom you are thankful in your open-source community. Your message can be sent anonymously if you feel uncomfortable to share your name with the recipient. Of course, we encourage you to share your name, but it's completely optional!
Happiness Archive
If both the sender and the recipient agree, we can publish the Happiness Packet on the website. With this, we're building an archive of open-source happiness that people and communities can use to draw inspiration.
As an example, here are two random messages from our archive:
From Lilly to Katie
Katie,
Thanks so much for mentoring me through my start in the open source community. If I've ever needed a voice to tell me to stop second-guessing myself, an eye to read over a blog post or a proposal, or an introduction at a conference, you've been there.
It's beyond valuable to have someone like you around. You're also great company over a post-conference brunch or a trip to a museum, which is a wonderful thing when conference travel can find attendees in cities where they don't know anyone.
I really respect all the work that you do for others in the community, and hope to pay it both back and forward myself, after your example.
Lilly
Anonymous message
I'm so glad I got to meet you at DjangoCon this year. You are so warm and funny, and my life is better for having you in it! Thank you for being so supportive of me, so welcoming, and so effortlessly friendly. You made me feel comfortable asking questions, and gave me the confidence to ask more. I am truly going to miss you and hope our paths cross again soon! Thank you for being a brave advocate for this community, sharing your self and your story as both a speaker and a friend, and for trying to help this community be better. I am in awe of you :)