When my eldest daughter was born, I created an email account for her and started writing an annual email. These emails included three things I’d done or thought about over the year and reflections on life. It was a way for her to know me, and know our family, as we grew up together.

While writing the first email, I worried the account might be lost or deleted. To be safe, I copied a few close friends.

Then I thought, Why not include other people who’ve influenced me? I started including more friends, former professors, advisors, past managers and work colleagues who’d shaped my thinking or direction–if my reflections were something I’d openly share with them at a cocktail party, I might as well send them a note as well.

The email evolved from a letter to my daughter to an annual update I shared with a broad range of people who’s company I enjoyed. It’s become one of my favorite things to do every year.

After I send it, about 10-15% of people respond in the next 6 months or so. Most responses come in the first week, often a quick warm note. Some notes come half a year later–and each time it’s super enjoyable to have people writing back.

This practice has become one of the most meaningful things I do each year. It helps me stay connected to people I might not otherwise hear from. Sometimes, I’ll run into a friend I haven’t seen in a decade, and they’ll know all about my life from quietly reading the annual updates.

Over time, some of these friends have started their own annual email updates. Reading them has been a gift. These updates—whether they’re brimming with good news or quietly acknowledging life’s setbacks—are a rare chance to reconnect with friends on their journeys through life.

If you’re reading this, I encourage you to consider starting your own version of an annual email update. Consider sharing it with the people who matter to you. It doesn’t have to be perfect or profound. The worst thing that could happen is someone doesn’t read it, which is pretty low risk given most of us are knocking through several hundred emails a day.

This practice has become a cornerstone of how I connect with people, how I reflect on the year, the quarter, the month, the week and the day, and how I find joy in shared stories. If you’ve made it this far in the blog post, maybe this is your nudge: Maybe this is a chance to reflect on the year past, the year ahead, and what’s meaningful for you.

Consider writing things out to clarify your thinking.

Consider sharing it with someone, to express who you are and what you care about.

At some point, consider sharing it with a broader group, to reconnect.

Why not?