If you are "leaving"—whether it's a job, a home, or a phase of life—taking a moment to express gratitude to the "background characters" in your life can provide a sense of peace that no moving truck can carry. Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt

Laci sat at his wooden desk, the morning light hitting a stack of unopened mail. Tomorrow, he was moving to a new city, leaving behind the neighborhood where he’d spent thirty years. He had a mental checklist: "Pack the kitchen," "Return the keys," "Call the movers." But one item weighed heavier than the rest: "Before I go, I need to say thank you."

He grabbed a simple notepad and began to write. He didn't write to his family or his best friends—he’d already said his goodbyes to them. Instead, he wrote to the people who didn't expect to hear from him.

The phrase (Before I Fall/Before I Leave) is most famously associated with the novel by Lauren Oliver , which explores the themes of redemption and the power of small actions.

He wrote to the man at the corner bakery who always saved the crustiest bread for him without being asked.

Inspired by those themes, here is a helpful story about the impact of kindness and closure. The Unsent Letter